Ecclestone generosity saves German GP at Nurburgring

Germany is only on this year's Formula 1 calendar because Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has waived the Nurburgring's usual race fee.

That is the claim of

Bild newspaper, referring to that circuit's financial problems that put at risk the race-alternating scheme with Germany's other F1 host, Hockenheim.

Bild reports that, to ensure that the embattled Nurburgring takes its scheduled turn next weekend, Formula 1 chief executive Ecclestone agreed to waive his organisation's usual € 14 million race fee.

"Bild has learned that without the gift, there would not have been a Grossen Preis von Deutschland

"The Rhineland-Palatinate state and the insolvent Nurburgring GmbH could not have afforded the fee."

A spokesman for the company responsible for the Nurburgring's insolvency process confirmed: "We achieved an agreement in a very short time with Mr Ecclestone.

"The details are not [to be] disclosed."

The Nurburgring's insolvency administrator Jens Lieser added: "With his commitment to the Nurburgring, Mr Ecclestone did German F1 fans a big favour." (GMM)

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