Easy access for Tilke-redesigned Donington.

Donington Park is to be redeveloped under the watchful eye of renowned Formula 1 circuit designer Hermann Tilke, with promises that the venue - frequently criticised for its traffic problems - will be easily accessible for all.

A ?100 million cash investment has been revealed to bring the circuit - which has not hosted the top flight since 1993, when it staged the European Grand Prix, and has not been the scene of the British Grand Prix since all the way back in the pre-war days - up to the necessary F1 standard.

Prior to the announcement of Donington's surprise new ten-year contract to hold the race - replacing the traditional home of Silverstone as of 2010 - Tilke visited the track to assess what would be necessary to perform a major upgrade, but Donington boss Simon Gillett rubbished suggestions that any modifications might change the fundamental character and nature of the popular circuit.

"We're going to be using Hermann Tilke as our design partner," Gillett confirmed to GPWeek, "but as for track changes...I think if we were to touch the Craner Curves I'd be lynched!"

Meanwhile, Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft has revealed how he was instrumental in luring the grand prix away from Silverstone, following a secret meeting with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone in London in 2007, during which the plans clearly earned the approval of the sport's famously demanding commercial rights-holder.

The 86-year-old - who purchased the circuit and part of the 1,100-acre Donington estate for ?100,000 in 1971 - gave Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd (jointly owned by Gillett and Lee Gill) a 150-year lease on the track in February of last year, and admitted in an interview with the Derby Evening Telegraph that the new deal very nearly didn't happen at all.

"I'm very pleased we have got it at Donington," he underlined. "Around 18 months ago I leased the circuit. Donington Ventures came along and I was not bothered if I leased it or not; in fact I nearly didn't, because the negotiations went on for a while, but I went ahead with it for my family.

"Then Donington Ventures told me that they wanted the British Grand Prix and asked me if I would go down and meet Bernie Ecclestone, because I've met him such a lot and we get on very well.

"I went to London for a meeting with him and we agreed it could be possible. We looked at the figures; we spoke a lot about the figures.

"I had a word with the people who put the money up and said 'you can have it if you want it'."

Whilst details of the modifications are still under discussion, Wheatcroft hinted that new hotels will be built on the site as part of the revamp and insisted that - despite much cynicism in the grand prix paddock to the contrary - the work will be completed on time.

"I'm now looking forward to starting the first bit," he enthused. "I'm ready to go today. We can't build new pits until we've got a two-way bridge in. Since Donington was built we have never had to alter it at all, but we need to make a few changes, big and small.

"It's like anything - if you do not put enough effort into it, you will not get it done. I think we are going to do it.

"I shall look after everything I can on the circuit itself and I will enjoy it. I can see it all in my mind; the architects just have to do a bit more fiddling about. I've been playing about, sketching here and there. We have to look at exactly where the grandstands will go.

"People were saying how shocked they are, but I laid this on quite a while ago. It's just been a case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts, then signing the contract. People thought 'well, Donington won't get it'. Now it will have MotoGP and the British Grand Prix - you can't do much better."

Wheatcroft also spoke candidly about the financing of the plans - based heavily on a debenture scheme similar to that at Wembley Stadium. Debentures are long-term, non-interest-incurring loans usually repayable after a set period of time, with people buying into the scheme enjoying a range of benefits, including first refusal on tickets for events.

He was also more than confident that access to the track - famously difficult, especially as fans try to get out at the end of the day - will not pose any problems.

"We've got a financial man in with quite a lot of money who is keen," Wheatcroft explained, "but when you set about building hotels and you've got land to rent and sell, well, there are a lot of different ways to raise money.

"We are lucky with the motorways all around us, like the M42 and the M1. It's a little early really to talk about the A453 and what might happen to that.

"Silverstone has got such a wonderful road network - you can get from A-to-B very easily - but that's taken years. At Donington there's a lot less work to do. It's just that difficult bit getting out."