Bratches frustrated by loss of German Grand Prix

Formula 1's commercial boss Sean Bratches lamented the loss of the German Grand Prix for 2019 after the event's promoters failed to reach an agreement with Liberty Media.

The writing was on the wall earlier this week when Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler alluded to the botched negotiations, and Bratches confirmed the bad news.

"Unfortunately, we could not agree with any race track in Germany," he said in Austria.

"It's frustrating that we could not reach a solution for a country with such a huge racing tradition, with the reigning constructor world champion and with a four-time champion, and that apparently nobody was willing to support the race tracks and take away the financial risk," Bratches added.

• German GP and Hockenheim to fall off the calendar in 2019

The Formula One Group executive insisted that lack of interest from German fans was not the reason for scrapping a race that could reappear on the calendar at some point in the future.

"The interest in Germany is great," said the American.

"We know that from our own sources and you can see it in the ratings as well. For the next few years, of course we will keep working on a solution," he said.

Present in Austria this weekend, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone also regretted Germany's inability to remain on the docket.

"The conditions are not easy for the circuits in Germany," Mr. E told Auto Bild. "It was the same in my time. But we still found a solution."

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