British Grand Prix In Doubt

The Wheatcroft family, which owns Donington Park, have announced that they’ve launched legal proceedings against the circuit operator, Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd who owe them 2.5 million in rent.

Proceedings have been issued by the law firm Browne Jacobson LLP against Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd.

“It is with great reluctance that we have taken this decision,” said Kevin Wheatcroft. “Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd owe us nearly £2.5m in rent dating back to September 2008. Despite receiving numerous reassurances over a number of months they have consistently failed to meet their financial obligations under the terms of the lease. We have held off taking legal action for as long as possible but have been left with no choice but to commence proceedings to recover the outstanding rent and forfeit the lease.”

If this goes ahead Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd will loose their 10 year lease and the British Grand Prix there. The bad thing is Bernie Ecclestone has said that if Donnington isn’t sorted and ready to go by 2010 the British Grand Prix won’t stay at Silverstone. There simply won’t be one by the looks of it! However is this really such a surprise? Bernie has been looking for a way to free up a race space on the calendar for a fly away race where they will pay lots of money. My heart sinks at the thought of another fly away race, in an empty desert, under floodlights, in front of empty grandstands instead of the British Grand Prix.