Bernie hopes to secure Nuerburgring deal

LONDON: The Nuerburgring is set to host this year’s German Grand Prix and a deal could be agreed this week after further talks, Formula One’s commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said yesterday.

The 82-year-old also told Reuters that the calendar, approved by the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) last November, would have 19 races rather than the 20 slots available.

The calendar has the German race listed for July 7 at a circuit to be confirmed and another unnamed European round pencilled in for July 21 and intended for Turkey before talks stalled over money.

The Nuerburgring and Hockenheim have alternated as venues for the German Grand Prix in recent years, with the former due to host this year’s round. However, the circuit’s financial problems have led to uncertainty.

“It should be the Nuerburgring and we are trying to make it happen,” said Ecclestone in a telephone conversation. “I’m talking with them today.”

The billionaire, who has expanded the calendar to new destinations far from the sport’s European heartland, played down suggestions Hockenheim could step in.

Circuit owners Nuerburgring GmbH, who are 90% owned by the German regional state of RhinelandPalatinate, has run into financial trouble amid a dispute with track operator NAG over leasing fees. – Reuters