Ecclestone calls off Nurburgring talks

UPDATE #2 This rumor is downgraded to 'false' based on this report.

01/29/13

Bernie Ecclestone

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is trying to make sure the German Grand Prix is run this season despite problems with the Nurburgring circuit.

Ecclestone hopes a deal can be struck this week. But the race could be switched to Hockenheim, which shares the German Grand Prix in alternating years with the Nurburgring.

Ecclestone tells The Associated Press: "I am doing my best to make sure we have an event in Germany. At the moment I can't say whether it will be Hockenheim or Nurburgring."

Ecclestone was responding to a Der Spiegel magazine report that developers with a stake in the Nurburgring had begun legal proceedings against the operating company. ESPN

01/27/13 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has called off negotiations with the Nurburgring, according to Germany's Der Spiegel.

The famous circuit's financial problems are well known, but F1 chief executive Ecclestone had been in talks with Nurburgring officials about pressing ahead with plans for a scheduled July race date.

But Der Spiegel on Sunday quoted Ecclestone as saying: "Following a detailed examination of the (Nurburgring's) proposal, we do not accept it as financially feasible and therefore end the negotiations."

Hockenheim, the host of last year's German grand prix that was not scheduled to return to F1 until 2014, has been slated as a possible alternative for the 2013 race.

Der Spiegel and the German news agency DPA on Sunday said there was no official comment from Nurburgring officials.