Gillett confident over Donington
Donington Park owner Simon Gillett insists planning permission to improve the circuit ahead of the 2010 British Grand Prix is "in the bag".
North West Leicestershire District Council are due to deliver their verdict on Gillett's £100million masterplan on January 8. Phase one, designed to be completed for the 2010 race, will see the track extended in line with FIA regulations, a new pit and paddock complex, media centre, medical centre, clubhouse, along with suites at Redgate, Starkeys and Craner Curves.
"We've been in consultation with them for the past few months, and we're recommended for approval, so we're going there on January 8 expecting to walk out with a piece of paper," said Gillett.
"Everything is dependent on the planning permission.
"If there's no planning permission, there's no grand prix, and yes, there are penalties if we don't deliver.
"We have done it on a calculated risk at the end of the day, but we are confident we have the planning in the bag.
"It's not as if we've not worked with the council.
Gillett still has to overcome a thorny issue of East Midlands airport, which is adjacent to the circuit. There are fears the technological interference over a race weekend would play havoc with the controls of any aircraft.
The 37-year-old claims he is in discussions with the airport with regard to severely restricting air traffic over the three days of the grand prix, even temporarily suspending it on occasion.
"We are working with them to ensure we minimise their traffic," confirmed Gillett. "We don't necessarily have to fully close them, but we are thinking when the race is on, no one is going to be flying in or out. The idea is that at peak times the airport has exclusive use for Formula One and us."
