Pressure is growing on the Government to help save the British Grand Prix if plans to stage the race at Donington fall through.

Championship leader Jenson Button insisted it would be “a disaster” if Britain lost its round of the Formula One title chase.

Sir Jackie Stewart backed Button by claiming that up to 50,000 jobs were at stake and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said it was “a disgrace” the Government had not already put money into the event.

The future of the grand prix has been thrown into doubt after it emerged Donington is being sued over £2.47million in rent arrears.

Circuit owner Tom Wheatcroft has started proceedings against Simon Gillett's company, Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, which has a 150-year lease of the Midlands venue.

Wheatcroft is seeking the rent arrears from DVLL as well as forfeiture of the track lease.

His move comes just nine months after Ecclestone agreed to move the race from Silverstone to Donington from 2010.

There is now a fear that the grand prix could be lost, as Ecclestone has continually stressed it will not return to Silverstone after this year.
He feels the facilities are not good enough for F1 and has criticised the lack of government investment in the track.

He said: “It's a disgrace that the British government doesn't step in to help. They're throwing billions at the London Olympics. They could do what is needed to save the race by putting in a fraction of it — 0.002 per cent.”

Despite Ecclestone's insistence, Damon Hill revealed today talks have been held over keeping the race at Silverstone. Hill, president of the British Racing Drivers' Club, who own Silverstone, said: “We'd like to have the grand prix if Donington can't do it. There has always been an open line of communication with Bernie.”

Three-time world champion Stewart said: “If Donington cannot stage the 2010 British Grand Prix the natural suggestion would be to have it at Silverstone. The key thing is to ensure we have a British Grand Prix.

“It would be stupid of the Government to let us lose our race. As many as 50,000 UK jobs could be affected if we lost it.”

Button said: “I don't live in the UK, I live in Monaco, but I'm very British and it would be a disaster if Britain lost the grand prix.”