Silverstone is back in pole position to host the 2010 British Grand Prix after Donington missed a final deadline to guarantee funds for redevelopment were in place, Formula One commercial rights boss Bernie Ecclestone said on Friday.

The F1 supremo told reporters in Abu Dhabi for Sunday's season-ending Grand Prix that, after giving Donington several extensions, it was no longer in the running to host the race.

"It's over for Donington," he said.

"They missed the deadline and really that's all there is to it. We kept extending that deadline to give them a chance, but they missed it. It's a pity, to be honest."

Ecclestone said he was now negotiating with Silverstone to host the race and added that he did not see any serious problems.

He said: "We're talking to them and a deal can be done if they want it."

Asked if there were any specific problems in the talks, relating to the length of the contract or any other details, Ecclestone said he did not think so.

"There isn't actually. As far as I'm concerned, there are no problems. Donington have missed the deadline -- which we kept extending for them. It's unfortunate for them, a bit sad to be honest.

"It was the credit crunch that caused them to be in trouble - because their intentions were good, that's for sure."

"Donington were trying to raise 135 million pounds to fund the redevelopment of the circuit to standards required to host a Grand Prix.

Donington had agreed a 17-years deal with Ecclestone after talks with Silverstone collapsed when Silverstone Holdings' talks with the F1 ringmaster stalled last year.

"It's up to Silverstone now," said Ecclestone. "The ball is in their court if you like."

Silverstone, it is understood, are seeking a multi-year deal and not a one-off agreement.

Earlier this week, Britain's 1996 world champion Damon Hill, who is leading Silverstone's bid to land and retain the British race for a long period, warned that it was not a foregone conclusion even if Donington failed to secure the race.

Hill said: "F1 can go anywhere in the world and get a huge amount of money. That's what Bernie's wrestling with."

"But it's not his job to give a discounted job to the UK."

The first world championship British Grand Prix was held at Silverstone in 1950 and the venue has hosted most races since including all of them since 1987 when interchanging with Brands Hatch ended.

Donington hosted the European Grand Prix, on a one-off basis, in 1993.