F1 back to Donington please!

Zoidberg · 16 Jan 2006, 14:16 (Ref:1502383)

What are the chances that F1 may one day return to Donington once work is complete there? Potential European GP host again?

Alex Hodgkinson · 16 Jan 2006, 14:29 (Ref:1502391)

In the near future I'd say rather slim.
The current work that's going on is only on the main paddock & pitlane.
I'd say if they want F1 there they need to be doing a hell of a lot more work around the place, something that the powers that be don't seem to appreciate.

(ps. I work as a track marshall at Donington park when oppertunity gives, so I am in a position to comment)

kipper · 16 Jan 2006, 14:31 (Ref:1502392)

I would imagine that there would only be a very slim chance of F1 returning to Donington. Even after its upgrades, I don't think that it will be quite up to F1 standard. Moreover, with a number of venues offering Bernie Ecclestone huge chunks of cash for a race, the chances of Britain being given two races would be very small, especially as the Nurburgring has a long term contract to stage the European Grand Prix. Therefore, Donington's only chance would be to grab Silverstone's place on the calender, which would appear unlikely given that it is in the early stages of a contract and is embarking on a facilities upgrade.

**Stephen Green** · 16 Jan 2006, 14:44 (Ref:1502403)

I agree. The likelihood is that the European GP will in effect replace Hockenheim if their financial troubles continue. Other countries like Dubai are already vying for a race and have excellent facilities already to hand. I can see several European races being moved to other areas like the Middle East, after all Italy have in effect two races as do France.

Zoidberg · 16 Jan 2006, 14:52 (Ref:1502412)

Yes, I suppose the last F1 memory there will be to have witnessed one of the greatest individual performances in the sport's history.

TheNewBob · 16 Jan 2006, 15:03 (Ref:1502419)

If Hockenheim does disappear then maybe nothing will replace it at all, given that they're supposedly looking at reducing the size of the calendar...

**Stephen Green** · 16 Jan 2006, 15:06 (Ref:1502423)

I think the pressure is on F1 to keep the current high number of races and that some traditional venues will eventually make way for newer ones.

safc_fan89 · 16 Jan 2006, 16:06 (Ref:1502456)

It would be good, but I can't see it happening. If another British venue was ever used as say the European GP, I would have thought Brands Hatch would be higher up on the list.

Julio · 16 Jan 2006, 16:08 (Ref:1502459)

The facilities at Donington are a bit pants really. The toilet block at the old hairpin anybody?

Considering Bernie was rubbishing Silverstone's facilities, which, lets face it, are ten times better than Donington, Donington doesn't have a hope unless extensive renovations are done. I'm glad the pits have been done though, lets hope the garages are a bit bigger this time. I can't imagine how the F1 lot coped in 1993 in those sheds.

Kidzer · 16 Jan 2006, 16:36 (Ref:1502484)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julio

The toilet block at the old hairpin anybody?

Eeeek indeed.

Having said that, donnington did hold a great race in '93 so the circuit is definetley good enough.

I guess spectator facilities have to be high on the priority list, but I didn't find it too bad at the FRenault Masters in 2003 of FRv6 in 2004.

andy97 · 16 Jan 2006, 16:42 (Ref:1502489)

The circuit is fantastic but the whole infrastructure, both at the circuit and in the surrounding area, just could not cope with the the F1 circus' current demands. Traffic would also be a complete nightmare. The Bike GP regularly causes 3 hour hold ups on the M1 and numerous flight delays from East Mids Airport due to aircrew being stuck in traffic and that event "only" attracts crowds of 70 000!!

A great ide but not a hope I'm afraid.

BootsOntheSide · 16 Jan 2006, 17:23 (Ref:1502520)

The quality of the 1993 race wasn't really related to the layout of the track - it was a combination of wet weather (always ikely when you hold a race in britain at that time of year....) and pure genuis from Ayrton. Brands and perhaps even Snetterton are more likely to host F1 races in future than Donington, which I'm not convicned has anythign to offer Formula 1 comapred to the newer tracks in exciting new markets. Britain should always have a Grand Prix as it has some of the rigchest F1 heritage, but Silverstone encapsulates most of that and is the ideal home, particularly as the track is excitign and produces great races almost every year.

REALIST · 16 Jan 2006, 22:53 (Ref:1502727)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

The quality of the 1993 race wasn't really related to the layout of the track - it was a combination of wet weather (always ikely when you hold a race in britain at that time of year....) and pure genuis from Ayrton. Brands and perhaps even Snetterton are more likely to host F1 races in future than Donington, which I'm not convicned has anythign to offer Formula 1 comapred to the newer tracks in exciting new markets. Britain should always have a Grand Prix as it has some of the rigchest F1 heritage, but Silverstone encapsulates most of that and is the ideal home, particularly as the track is excitign and produces great races almost every year.

Are you just saying Snetterton to stress the unlikelihood of Donington ever getting F1? I couldn't visualise Snet and F1 without a complete track and facilities rebuild, and I mean rebuild.

For a start the track is too narrow, has very poor runoff in some areas and for an F1 car would be, what?.. 50 - 55Sec lap? As for the facilities, well there just are none are there?

Hepatic · 16 Jan 2006, 18:36 (Ref:1502569)

despite what Bernie says, Silverstone has by far and away the best facilities of any track in this country. If he aint happy with that, then nowhere has a hope, unfortunately.

Rennen · 16 Jan 2006, 18:50 (Ref:1502580)

Sadly Ole Donnie is way to out of date for modern F1 requirements.

**chunterer** · 16 Jan 2006, 19:05 (Ref:1502584)

Not much to add really is there?

The lack of (F1 style) facilities has been covered, the money required to chuck at Bernie will need to be vast.

The viewing for spectators is excellent, but the circuit length is arguably too short by modern (Tilke) standards as well. Only Monaco, Hungary and Magny Cours are around 2 and a half miles or less aren't they?

maltafan · 16 Jan 2006, 19:14 (Ref:1502586)

I do not think that there will be any more new GP's in Europe. Other places are just more competitive and their governments seem to be more enthusiastic to spend money on F1.

safc_fan89 · 17 Jan 2006, 16:48 (Ref:1503203)

If Donington would have to be upgraded substantially for F1, and possibly ruin the nature of the circuit, it's not worth it.

JimW · 16 Jan 2006, 22:23 (Ref:1502708)

I'm glad that F1 probably won't be back to Donington. Why ruin the place even further for F1!

The current changes to the pits and garages are for MotoGp. The garages will be smaller than before. Probably better laid out etc. but still smaller because more pits are being fitted into the same length.

Regards

Jim

Sheila M · 16 Jan 2006, 22:42 (Ref:1502720)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

The current changes to the pits and garages are for MotoGp. The garages will be smaller than before. Probably better laid out etc. but still smaller because more pits are being fitted into the same length.

Regards

Jim

I'm so glad you mentioned this Jim. Regrettably the garages and pit lane will in future be more suited to bikes than cars so we can safely say that F1 will never return to Donington.

Alex Hodgkinson · 16 Jan 2006, 23:21 (Ref:1502743)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

The current changes to the pits and garages are for MotoGp. The garages will be smaller than before. Probably better laid out etc. but still smaller because more pits are being fitted into the same length.

I was told by head marshal, Frank, that they're actually going to be about the same size because they're extending the pit buildings on to the area which was previously the small exhibition centre next to the circuit underpass.

JimW · 17 Jan 2006, 09:46 (Ref:1502954)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Hodgkinson

I was told by head mid-week marshal, Frank, that they're actually going to be about the same size because they're extending the pit buildings on to the area which was previously the small exhibition centre next to the circuit underpass.

That is not the case. See the plans at http://www.donington-park.co.uk/news...aceControl.pdf and http://www.donington-park.co.uk/news...ediaCentre.pdf. After the rebuild there will be 38 pits in the space where there were previously 26 (plus the one pit-sized space after pit 26). Oh yes, and they have halved the width of the access to the pits by pit 1, but the extra space is not used for a pit.

The "Exhibition center" remains in exactly the same space but extended backwards from the track to about twice the size. Again that is designed around the needs of the journos for the MotoGP. It will also have extended facilities suitable for exhibitions at other times.

Regards

Jim

Julio · 17 Jan 2006, 13:13 (Ref:1503066)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

That is not the case. See the plans at http://www.donington-park.co.uk/news...aceControl.pdf and http://www.donington-park.co.uk/news...ediaCentre.pdf. After the rebuild there will be 38 pits in the space where there were previously 26 (plus the one pit-sized space after pit 26). Oh yes, and they have halved the width of the access to the pits by pit 1, but the extra space is not used for a pit.

The "Exhibition center" remains in exactly the same space but extended backwards from the track to about twice the size. Again that is designed around the needs of the journos for the MotoGP. It will also have extended facilities suitable for exhibitions at other times.

Regards

Jim

Wow. Thanks for the info. From memory the old ones were pretty small anyway. Isn't having even smaller garages going to effect the 4 wheeled championships that reguarly come to Donington? BTCC, British GT, F3 etc.

JimW · 17 Jan 2006, 13:18 (Ref:1503070)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julio

Wow. Thanks for the info. From memory the old ones were pretty small anyway. Isn't having even smaller garages going to effect the 4 wheeled championships that reguarly come to Donington? BTCC, British GT, F3 etc.

While I have not run a tape measure over them

, my impression is that they will be a bit similar to the ones at Thruxton but deeper.

Regards

Jim

Alex Hodgkinson · 17 Jan 2006, 17:05 (Ref:1503215)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimW

That is not the case. See the plans....

....The "Exhibition center" remains in exactly the same space but extended backwards from the track to about twice the size. Again that is designed around the needs of the journos for the MotoGP. It will also have extended facilities suitable for exhibitions at other times.

Regards

Jim

Ah ok then, and I was hoping that what I'd been told was the case.

Has anyone else noticed that MacDonalds are doing the architectural work?!

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