Mateschitz interested in Nurburgring purchase as Ecclestone loses interest

Billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz has emerged as a potential buyer of the embattled Nurburgring.

The

Kolner Express and Bild newspapers claim Red Bull team owner Mateschitz - who bought, demolished, rebuilt and launched the former A1-Ring in Austria - is one potential bidder.

Another is the Nurburgring track boss Jorg Linder, and yet another is the German automobile club ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club).

"The bids must all be placed by September," said Bild.

Meanwhile it has emerged that Bernie Ecclestone has performed a swift u-turn, having said earlier that he is "thinking about" buying the financially embattled Nurburgring.

"If I [buy the circuit]," the Formula 1 chief executive had told Die Welt newspaper, "it would mean the German Grand Prix is secure in the future".

According to quotes that will appear in the Rhein-Zeitung

"I thought about it and it is not practical for me," he said.

Ecclestone's latest comments follow reports that Red Bull mogul Dietrich Mateschitz, Nurburgring chief Jorg Lindner and the German automobile club ADAC are also interested in bidding for the fabled circuit.

Ecclestone said he that hopes that someone buys the Nurburgring "as we enjoy being here".

"We are always happy to come here," he added, "especially as we've been coming here for so long." (GMM)

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