Zoom It remains to be seen which teams will be competing in the 2010 British Grand Prix

Simon Gillett, the promoter of the 2010 British Grand Prix at Donington, was on enemy ground as he walked the Silverstone paddock on Friday.

Silverstone is disappointed to have lost its rights to the Formula One race in favour of Gillett's 17-year Donington deal, and on Thursday the BRDC was making it clear it hopes the plans fail and Bernie Ecclestone wants the existing host to stage the 2010 race.

But although F1's Chief Executive has assured Gillett that F1 is prepared to wait a year for the Donington plans to materialise, Gillett on Friday insisted that the race will take place in Leicestershire next summer.

"Right now, we're on track," revealing that financing for the £100m rejuvenation project will be finalised by the end of July.

In March, funding source Goldman Sachs pulled out amid the global financial crisis, but Gillett insists alternatives are being put in place.

"Last week we broke ground on the pits and paddock," he reported. "Will we be ready for next year? I know we will, absolutely, 100 percent for definite.

"Bernie has given us a safety net, and it's a hell of a safety net, but we're confident we will be there for 2010," said Gillett.

E.A. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM