MOTOR SPORT BRITISH GRAND PRIX: THE BRITISH Grand Prix will be held at Donington Park from 2010 after the circuit's owners promised a €126 million investment over five years, ambushing their rivals at Silverstone, which has hosted the showpiece race since 1987.

The grandees of the British Racing Drivers' Club, which runs Silverstone, said they were "considering our position" following in-depth and ongoing contract negotiations" after the announcement yesterday that next year's race would be their last.

They believed that the renewal of their own contract was only days away and little more than a formality.

The BRDC president, Damon Hill, said: "The BRDC is passionate about motorsport and proud of our contribution to the sport we love and of our very own circuit, Silverstone.

"Naturally, the British Grand Prix is a special event for all British grand prix drivers and motorsport fans. Above all, the British Grand Prix's future is very important to all of us. Anything which indicates a secure future for the British Grand Prix must be welcomed.

"Nevertheless, the timing of this announcement is disappointing and a blow to the excellent and hard-working staff of Silverstone, and to the local and national government authorities who have supported us in our development plans to deliver the demanded improvements from FOM (Formula One Management).

"It is my opinion that it is not through any lack of effort on behalf of the BRDC and Silverstone that we have been denied the opportunity to see those plans though to the concluding of a contract beyond 2009."

Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder, blamed the government for not giving financial backing to Silverstone. "I am sorry that we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run Formula One," he said.

"The government should have supported them, which would have cost probably less than 0.002 per cent of the government's commitment for the Olympic Games."

Britain's leading hope at Silverstone tomorrow, Lewis Hamilton, has admitted he was not really competitive at last year's British Grand Prix in his rookie season - but he most definitely is this year.

"I did not take part in the test prior to the race last year," he said."I hadn't been round that circuit since my first test in a Formula One car and it was pretty difficult to set up because you really don't have a great deal of time.

"So sometimes you don't quite get on top of the job, but this year is much better as I know where I want to be with the car. Experience makes a huge difference."

So does a winning car. "Knowing that you have a car which can win is a huge boost," Hamilton said.

"And believe me, I know how hard the team have worked to give me a car with which I believe we can get the job done. They have done a phenomenal job and the car felt awesome in the test."

Ferrari's championship leader, Felipe Massa, crashed heavily but still set the fastest time in yesterday's free practice. Massa, the first Brazilian to lead the Formula One standings since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993, skidded on oil deposited on the track by Fernando Alonso's Renault.

The Ferrari spun at the 130mph Stowe Corner, slamming backwards into the wall with 33 minutes of the first session remaining. Massa stepped out unhurt but the car suffered considerable damage to the rear. The red flags came out as marshals removed the wreckage and cleared oil from the track during an 18-minute stoppage. Alonso had pulled up at the same corner only minutes previously, with a plume of smoke billowing from the engine of his Renault.

Massa, winner of three races so far this season, had been top of the timesheets when he crashed after completing eight timed laps and nobody was able to go faster when the session restarted.

Hamilton, in need of a home victory after two races without a point, was third in both sessions, with the world champion Raikkonen fourth in the morning. "Okay, so we've had three disappointing races recently," Hamilton said, "but there are 10 great ones still to come."

Guardian Service