State cancels Nurburgring circuit operator lease

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren MP4/26 leads at the start of the race. Formula One World Championship, Rd 10, German Grand Prix, Race Day, Nurburgring, Germany, Sunday 24 July 2011.
Start of 2011 German GP at Nurburgring

Feb.8 (GMM) The future of the German grand prix at the Nurburgring is looking grim, after the Rhineland-Palatinate state cancelled the circuit operator’s lease.

Minister Roger Lewentz told the Rhein-Zeitung newspaper that a bright future for the venue was “not possible” with the existing tenants.

The report, however, said talks with Bernie Ecclestone about a new deal for the formula one race are well advanced.

Lewentz said: “I want and need to speak personally with Mr Ecclestone.”

Recently, the Nurburgring has been annually alternating a single date on the F1 calendar with Hockenheim.