Gillett: Donington will be ready for F1

Donington Park chief executive Simon Gillett admits Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone could again move the British Grand Prix - but has no doubt his circuit will be ready.

The Leicestershire track will take over from Silverstone as host from 2010 after Ecclestone announced on Friday a shock decision to relocate the race from its long-serving home.

The circuit will need £100million spent on it to bring it to the required standard but Gillett has no doubts it will be ready.

He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "If we're not ready, in the same way that if anybody else wasn't ready, then I'm sure Bernie Ecclestone would look to do something as he cannot jeopardise the grand prix.

"But as there aren't any other alternatives we will be there at 2010."

There have been suggestions that much of the £100m needed will come from a mystery benefactor - and further rumours that the person behind that is Ecclestone himself.

Yet Gillett has rubbished all talk of Ecclestone - who had long been at loggerheads with Silverstone's owners - being involved in any way whatsoever.

He added: "Bernie has not invested. Some of the rumours of a wonderful fairy godfather out there with a big chequebook are slightly off the mark.

"We are looking to start a fan-based debenture scheme, in much the same way that Wembley and all major the stadiums across the world are looking to use their fan power, and we'll use this to invest and develop the circuit."