Post by blacktulip on Feb 5, 2009 19:38:52 GMT
From ITV.F1
Max Mosley admits the FIA would be powerless to prevent the British Grand Prix sliding off the Formula 1 calendar if the host circuit is unable to pay the going rate to stage a race.
The long-term future of a British round had been uncertain for several years due to Silverstone’s troubles in meeting Bernie Ecclestone’s race hosting demands, before Donington stunned the F1 world by luring the event away from its long-time home on a 10-year deal from 2010.
And while the Leicestershire circuit has recently gained planning permission to carry out the first phase of its major £100 million redevelopment scheme to bring the venue up to F1 standards, scepticism remains in some quarters over how the project will be funded, with Donington not set to reveal details of its planned debenture scheme until the end of March.
Donington boss Simon Gillett has expressed his confidence all along that the finances will be in place and work completed on time, although Ecclestone recently warned that should the track not prove its plans are on course at a September inspection then he could take the race away.
Mosley has previously indicated the FIA has a remit to protect the traditional grands prix such as Britain's, but has conceded it can only assert its influence if the venue in question matches both the financial terms and level of facilities the potential replacement is offering.
Asked at a lunch with journalists on Wednesday if he had the power to protect a British round, the FIA president said: “I can’t.
“We have a role to protect the races – Bernie cannot put out a calendar which results in the elimination of one of the traditional races without our agreement.
“But we have to be reasonable as to the financial terms and facilities.
“The FIA can’t put pressure on Bernie Ecclestone to race in the UK for less than other countries would pay for us to race elsewhere.”
However, Mosley did label Britain as “the home of grand prix racing”, with the country being a mainstay on the calendar since the world championship’s inception in 1950 and providing the base for the majority of teams.
Earlier this month Gillett reiterated his total faith in the Donington redevelopment project, telling itv.com/f1 that the circuit would “absolutely be ready” for 2010.
“We’re going to be announcing the debenture scheme at the end of this financial quarter,” he added.
“By the end of March you will be hearing more about the debenture scheme, but it’s in place and going very well.”
Max Mosley admits the FIA would be powerless to prevent the British Grand Prix sliding off the Formula 1 calendar if the host circuit is unable to pay the going rate to stage a race.
The long-term future of a British round had been uncertain for several years due to Silverstone’s troubles in meeting Bernie Ecclestone’s race hosting demands, before Donington stunned the F1 world by luring the event away from its long-time home on a 10-year deal from 2010.
And while the Leicestershire circuit has recently gained planning permission to carry out the first phase of its major £100 million redevelopment scheme to bring the venue up to F1 standards, scepticism remains in some quarters over how the project will be funded, with Donington not set to reveal details of its planned debenture scheme until the end of March.
Donington boss Simon Gillett has expressed his confidence all along that the finances will be in place and work completed on time, although Ecclestone recently warned that should the track not prove its plans are on course at a September inspection then he could take the race away.
Mosley has previously indicated the FIA has a remit to protect the traditional grands prix such as Britain's, but has conceded it can only assert its influence if the venue in question matches both the financial terms and level of facilities the potential replacement is offering.
Asked at a lunch with journalists on Wednesday if he had the power to protect a British round, the FIA president said: “I can’t.
“We have a role to protect the races – Bernie cannot put out a calendar which results in the elimination of one of the traditional races without our agreement.
“But we have to be reasonable as to the financial terms and facilities.
“The FIA can’t put pressure on Bernie Ecclestone to race in the UK for less than other countries would pay for us to race elsewhere.”
However, Mosley did label Britain as “the home of grand prix racing”, with the country being a mainstay on the calendar since the world championship’s inception in 1950 and providing the base for the majority of teams.
Earlier this month Gillett reiterated his total faith in the Donington redevelopment project, telling itv.com/f1 that the circuit would “absolutely be ready” for 2010.
“We’re going to be announcing the debenture scheme at the end of this financial quarter,” he added.
“By the end of March you will be hearing more about the debenture scheme, but it’s in place and going very well.”
