Initial Conditions

Today, Formula One Management announced that the British Grand Prix would be run at Donington from 2010 onwards, replacing Silverstone.

Silverstone’s future has been in the balance for a while, with Bernie Ecclestone anxious to end his “mates’ rates” arrangement with the circuit to get himself a bit more wonga (like he needs it) and to get Silverstone to improve its facilities. Until this year, there was an agreement that the historic Grands Prix (France, Italy, Britain, Monaco) would have their place on the calendar preserved if they paid a lower hosting fee than for new venues like China and Bahrain. This agreement has expired and Bernie clearly doesn’t want this arrangement to continue in its present format, hence Silverstone’s going to have to pay more.

No chance, the event was causing Silverstone’s owners too much of a loss, so the British Grand Prix was in danger. Step in Donington.

Donington is privately owned and its owners clearly feel they can afford to have F1’s circus turn up for ten years. Great. Except it’s crap. For a start it’s too short; and having played many many laps of this on various games over the years and it’s constantly been more of a chore than anything else with only one corner that’s vaguely memorable: the old hairpin which goes takes you from going steeply downhill to steeply uphill just after a model of a spitfire.

But that’s my opinion and maybe I’ll warm to it when it happens. After all, the sight of F1 cars on it is often enough to change my mind. I suppose I should just be glad the British GP is happening at all…

The BBC website has more information on this, also at www.formula1.com.