The 2010 British Grand Prix at Donington Park will be the first Formula 1 race in history to be accessible only by public transport – with spectators having been told they will be unable to drive to the track.

Instead, it has been revealed, fans will have the choice of travelling to the Leicestershire circuit by bus from Nottingham, Leicester or Derby, by taking the train to East Midlands Parkway Station or by flying to East Midlands Airport. Moreover, transport will be able to be booked in conjunction with race tickets and accommodation. Donington has regularly been criticised for its poor access to race-goers.

“This will be the first public transport grand prix,” Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd chief executive Simon Gillett is quoted as having said by local newspaper the Nottingham Post. “We are not bringing cars here.

“We are looking to use public transport from all the major conurbations, the airport and the Parkway station.”

Donington – which was awarded a five-year contract to hold the British Grand Prix as of 2010, taking over from traditional host Silverstone – was dealt a blow last week when it was announced that an expected planning decision on its £100m re-development from North West Leicestershire District Council has been delayed until early next year [see separate story – click here].

Amongst the plans are six grandstands providing 67,890 seats, a new clubhouse, suites for spectators, a medical centre, a media centre, new pits and paddock buildings and toilets – in addition to a new half-mile section of track featuring what is suggested will be the steepest climb on an F1 circuit worldwide and a new 'signature' corner.

Gillett also stated that the project will create as many as 300 construction jobs and 60 at the circuit, and the work is due to start as soon as the plans receive the green light.

“We are still on-schedule for our construction programme,” he insisted. “We will have a nine-month construction programme in an 18-month window.

“We have got the time and we have got the money. It is going to be the world's best circuit.”