The British Grand Prix is staying on the F1 calendar but it won't be Silverstone who'll be hosting the event from 2010 onwards.

This morning saw the shock announcement that Bernie Ecclestone had agreed a deal with the owners of the Donington Park racetrack to stage the British Grand Prix at the venue from 2010. Donington last hosted a GP in 1993 when the European Grand Prix was on the calendar and we saw one of the best first laps of all time with Ayrton Senna going from 4th to 1st within half a lap and running away from the Williams' in the wet.

The news surprised most but it has guaranteed a British GP on the calendar beyond the current deal that was due to run out after the 2009 season. With the sport currently running without a Concorde Agreement, the British leg of the F1 world tour was not guaranteed any more.

Donington Park will receive a radical overhaul to bring it up to the standards that F1 expects. Max Mosley told reporters that, “We understand that the development programme planned for Donington will achieve the very high standards we and FOM expect from a modern F1 circuit. Finally, British Formula 1 fans will get the Grand Prix venue they deserve."

The track needs to be lengthened due to the fact it is shorter than the FIA allow for F1 races. Also the off the track facilities are nowhere near the standard required. The changes will all be funded by private money and will not cost the British taxpayer a penny.

It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.