Donington revamp
Plans approved for rejig to circuit which inherits British GP in 2010
Donington Park's £100million renovation to bring it up to speed for Grand Prix racing has been approved. Planning permission was granted by North West Leicestershire council allowing work to start on the revamp this month.
Key changes include track widening to accommodate a full F1 grid, tightening at the Coppice corner and a new complex after the first corner which includes a new hairpin. There will also be a new pit and paddock area as well as temporary grandstands to take on additional spectators. Donington's limited parking will lead to encouraged use of public transport.
The approval has been granted on the basis that an event management plan is put in place, with work set to begin this month and finish in June 2010, very close to the first Leicestershire Grand Prix since Ayrton Senna took the chequered flag in the 1993 European GP at Donington.
The circuit takes over from Silverstone in 2010, 23 races after the Northants track took the British GP reins in 1987. When awarding Donington Park the contract, Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said 'we wanted a world class venue for F1, something teams and fans could be proud of.'
Simon Gillett, the track owner, confidently repostes: 'This puts us on the world stage with places like Bahrain'. Bring on next summer...
