Donington given British GP boost

Donington Park is better known as a motorcycle track
Donington's bid to stage next year's British Grand Prix has been boosted after final planning permission for its redevelopment programme was approved.

After giving the £100m redevelopment the green light in January, North West Leicestershire District Council then demanded certain signed assurances.

And circuit owner Simon Gillett and landowner Tom Wheatcroft have both now signed, meaning work can re-commence.

However, there is still some concern over how the scheme will be financed.

Gillet's planned debenture scheme to raise private investment was due to launch at the end of March but has failed to get off the ground.

A legal dispute between Wheatcroft and lease-holders DVLL, the council's concerns and the BRDC's insistence the race should return to Silverstone have also all added to Gillett's headaches.

However, Gillet said: "It's great to have cleared another hurdle and to see the hard work of the entire team at the circuit paying off.

Here we are again, qualifying just about to start for the German GP.

All 20 cars have set times already as there is a risk of rain.

Raikkonen
Fisichella
Buemi
Rosberg
Bourdais

are the names in the drop zone after the first round of 'fast laps'.

16. Kubica
17. Heidfeld
18. Fisichella
19. Buemi
20. Bourdais

now

16. Kubica
17. Buemi
18. Fisichella
19. Glock
20. Bourdais

Nothing too eventful happening, but....THERE ARE SPOTS OF RAIN!

Serious rain now and the cars are having trouble staying on the track.

Looks like they're all coming in for intermediates.

Very strange Q2, rain like stair-rods now. All just looking like they're out for a stroll. Even on intermediates they're not doing too well. Some haven't even recorded a time yet and half the session's gone.

11. Pique
12. Rosberg
13. Button
14. Kovaleinnen
15. Barrichello

Barrichello has put on slicks and is flying, but has started to rain heavier again and strategies are being knocked into a cocked hat.

Alonso has just spun and Vettel and Nakajima had a small collision in the pit lane, but they seem to be ok.

11. Heidfeld
12. Alonso
13. Nakajima
14. Trulli
15. Rosberg
16. Kubica
17. Buemi
18. Fisichella
19. Glock
20. Bourdais

All cars are on the track and the seem to be on slicks and the track appears to be dry now.

YAY! Webber makes his 1st poll position.

1. Webber
2. Barrichello
3. Button
4. Vettel
5. Hamilton
6. Kovaleinen
7. Sutil
8. Massa
9. Raikkonen
10.Piquet
11. Heidfeld
12. Alonso
13. Nakajima
14. Trulli
15. Rosberg
16. Kubica
17. Buemi
18. Fisichella
19. Glock
20. Bourdais

It is suggested that this might have been Bourdais' last GP.

Formation lap about to staet.

Glock apparently blocked Alonso during Q1. His penalty demotes him to P20, so he's starting from the pit lane.

Masses of drama as they start.
Barrichello beats Webber from the start, they have a small bump but suffer no damage, Hamilton storms into the lead but misses the apex of the fist corner and bumps Webber andgoes onto the grass. He rejoins in last place. He has a puncture from the contact and will need to pit, if he can limp round,
Button loses placees to Massa and Kovaleinnen, but has now passed Massa.
Raikkonen has a good start too, but not as good as Massa.
Piquet spins, while Alonso spun on the parade lap.
Vettel went wide and has also lost position, but is looking quite comfortable.

Massa under pressure from Vettel.
Webber and Barrichello under investigation, presumably for the small collision approaching the first corner,

Drive through penalty for Webber. It's deemed he caused the collision.
That's going to play havoc with his race strategy and hopes of winning.

13 laps in and Button pits. Comes out in P14.

Webber takes his drive through at the same time as Barrichello pits. So all might not be lost!

Barrichello behind Massa now and Kovaleinnen pits from 3rd (i think. So webber is leading.

Webber pits and comes out in P7.
Massa's holding up Barrichello, which is in Webber's favour.

1. Massa
2. Barrichello
3. Raikkonen
4. Sutil
5. Rosberg
6. Webber
7. Button

Raikkonen and Massa have now pitted so Barrichello is in the lead again.

Barrichello has 3 stops still to make while Webber only has one more , it seems.

Raikkonen collides with Sutil as Sutil exits the pit lane, There is deris.

Massa and Raikkonen are now 6th ans 7th. Sutil was Exiting into 8th place.

Raikkonen and Sutil being investigated for the collision.

Button pits from 3rd and exits in 7th.

Barrichello now making his 2nd pit stop which now appears to be his last stop. Meanwhile Webber is flying.

Raikkonen has retired!

Bourdais retired a few laps ago, they are the only 2 retirements so far.

Hamilton still in last place after his 2nd pit stop.

Barrichello is still on a three stop strategy. So it's looking VERY good for Webber, despite the drive through.

1. Webber
2. Vettel
3. Massa
4. Rosberg
5. Barrichello
6. Buttom
7. Kovaleinnem
8. Fisichella
9. Glock
10. Alonso

Webber pits For 2nd and last time and comes out in P2, but Vettel has still to make his last stop, which he is now taking.

Ooooh, it appears to be starting to rain in places. Massa pitting now.

1. Webber
2. Rosberg
3. Barrichello
4. Button
5. Vettel
6. Massa

Rosberg has pitted now

1. Webber
2. Barrichello
3. Button
4. Vettel
5. Massa
6. Rosberg

Barrichello pits with Button a lap later, but button manages to get out ahead of Barrichello.

1. Webber
2. Vettel
3. Massa
4. Rosberg
5. Button
6. Barrichello
7. Alonso
8. Kovaleinnen

Button's rear tyres are very worn, apparently.