While the 2010 switch from Silverstone to Donington Park made the headlines on the opening day of the British Grand Prix, the consensus of opinion within the paddock was that the choice of venue was secondary to ensuring that the race remained on the
Formula One calendar.
Although Silverstone has been on the receiving end of criticism, most notably from
Bernie Ecclestone, for many years, few expected that the circuit would ultimately lose a race it has staged exclusively since the practice of alternating with
Brands Hatch was ended in 1986. However, free practice on Friday was punctuated by a statement confirming that the event would move to Donington Park from 2010 - and remain there for ten years after that.
The announcement was greeted with a mixture of surprise, excitement and cynicism but, when the topic was raised during Friday's official press conference, all four team principals involved agreed that securing Britain's place on the calendar was more important than pondering where the race should be held. With growing pressure to expand the
F1 calendar, and previously unthought-of countries emerging as contenders to stage grands prix, there had been suggestions that the accepted 'centre of world motorsport' could find itself axed - or, at best, coerced into sharing a spot with old rival France and alternating year-by-year.
"I'm delighted that the British Grand Prix will continue to be mentioned in a calendar," Sir Frank
Williams admitted, "Some of us feared it may eventually be dropped, but it doesn't seem likely now.
"If it is at Donington, it's at
Donington. If it's at Silverstone, it's at
Silverstone. Privately, I would prefer to come to Silverstone. It is much closer for all our factory staff, it's closer to Heathrow and closer to the largest number of spectators but, if it's Donington, we will be there."
