Donington granted extension

(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has issued yet another deadline to Simon Gillett, despite the Donington boss breaching the contract to host next year's British grand prix by not coming up with the money for the track refurbishments in time.

After a discussion with Gillett on Monday, F1 chief executive Ecclestone told British media that Donington has two more weeks to remedy the contract breach.

At the same time, the 78-year-old Briton vowed to kick off talks with alternative venue Silverstone about the 2010 event, and seemed open to BRDC president Damon Hill's requirement of more than a one-race deal.

"Donington are in breach of contract and they have 14 days to remedy that breach," Ecclestone told the Guardian newspaper.

"We have an agreement with Silverstone that in the event of a breach we will talk to them and we will be discussing this.

"Of course it is no good for them (Silverstone) having a one-year job, for sure," he added, explaining that the track will have the opportunity of "exactly the same contract as Donington".

In the Financial Times, Ecclestone cautioned that F1 "can't enter an agreement (with Silverstone) until the other (Donington) contract is bye-bye".

In a media statement, Donington's Gillett confirmed the new two-week deadline, beginning on Monday.