German hosts to propose GP ’share’ concept
On the eve of free practice at the 2006 German grand prix, the president of the FIA told 'sid' agency that the concept – agreed by the two circuits and awaiting meetings with Bernie Ecclestone at Hockenheim – is a 'good idea'.
''Everyone is basically united about this,'' Mosley was quoted as saying.
07/26/06 Mercedes' Norbert Haug has baulked at the concept of an 'alternating' venue for the German GP.
Hockenheim is an important event for the German carmaker; not only is Stuttgart HQ just an hour away, more than 6500 employees will sit in the Mercedes grandstand and the race is also sponsored by common McLaren partner ExxonMobil.
''It is my opinion that Germany earned its two grands prix,' Haug was quoted as saying by Auto Motor Und Sport, amid speculation that formula one's visit this weekend could be the last before the event is either axed or annually shared with the Nurburgring.
He said: ''There are four German drivers, there is BMW and Mercedes; no country is represented in F1 more strongly than Germany.''
Haug's BMW counterpart Dr Mario Theissen, however, told 'sid' agency that he does support the alternating plan as an 'economically reasonable solution'.
The German also told RTL: ''For a German manufacturer it is a luxury to have two grands prix, but BMW is a global enterprise.
''We are interested in opening formula one to new and growing markets.''
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, meanwhile, admitted that talks about the future of the race will be staged at Hockenheim this weekend.
He told newspaper 'Mannheimer Morgen': ''We are discussing many things with the Hockenheim people, but I cannot go into detail at the moment.''
07/25/06 (GMM) The race organizers of German formula one hosts Hockenheim and the Nurburgring have fundamentally agreed to 'share' the annual grand prix privilege.
Together, the circuits' bosses will present their unanimous proposal to the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone this weekend, as the formula one circus visits Hockenheim for potentially the last time.
A spokesman admitted this week that Hockenheim is resigned to losing the race for 2007, but Nurburgring chief Walter Kafitz told 'sid' on Tuesday that the two circuits are 'united in principle' that the race can be annually alternated in the future.
FIA president Max Mosley suggested that, with new countries wanting to join the calendar, losing a race is unavoidable.
''With 18 races each year, we have reached the limit,'' the FIA boss said.