Government needs to 'wake up'

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Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart believes the government will only have itself to blame if Britain loses its grand prix.

The future of the race is in serious jeopardy following a breakdown in the relationship between Donington Park owner Tom Wheatcroft and the East Midlands venue's leaseholder, Simon Gillett.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has already slammed the government as "a disgrace" for not stepping in to help, and for once he and Stewart are in agreement. "If we lose the grand prix now, the government will only have itself to blame," said Stewart.

With Gillett failing to pay £2.47million in back rent, Wheatcroft has started legal proceedings against the CEO of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd to reclaim the money, and is also demanding forfeiture of the lease.

It clearly indicates Gillett is in financial trouble and there is now a real possibility there will be no race in Britain from 2010 when Donington is due to begin its 10-year deal.

Stewart added: "It's not just locally, regionally, nationally that there would be an economic loss, it's UK plc that's at risk.

"We've close to 50,000 people employed in an industry that, if the British Grand Prix left, I guarantee you - not immediately - there would be a slide in technology going to other places. That's wrong.

"Now I am a big supporter of wanting to see the Olympics in the UK, but for a small percentage of the money being spent, Silverstone could be whipped into shape for 2010 and thereafter.

"And when you look at it, no other sport has the structure in place that motor sport has and with the number of people employed in the industry. The boots of a footballer get made in Vietnam or wherever, but in our case the cars and parts are all made in 'Motor Sport Valley' (in Northamptonshire).

"That is a big enough incentive for the British government to wake up and say we can't afford to lose a jewel of this kind."