Donington revamp gets green light

Donington Park Circuit, which is hoping to host the British Grand Prix as of 2010 has received approval of the North-West Leicestershire District Council for its plans to make the aged circuit again suitable for a Formula One race.

"I am absolutely over the moon," Donington boss Simon Gillet told the Evening Post. "It is a major coup. It is a culmination of six years' hard work.

"I’m elated, relieved, all of the above," he continued. "I couldn’t be happier, and from tomorrow morning it’s shovels at dawn and away we go. It starts in earnest from now, it's time to start focusing on 2010 and delivering the best Grand Prix in the world. That is what I’ve always said we would deliver, and that is what we are going to do."

While this means nothing now can stop the circuit to start building, the financing of the project is not yet completed and unsure at this time. The first phase of the project, which will cost €110m in total includes widening the track and building new grandstands. Later on, the pit complex is also due to be renewed.