Nürburgring CEO Carsten Schumacher says he hopes to see Formula One return to the circuit in 2017, after the German Grand Prix fell off this year’s calendar.
The iconic track had initially been scheduled to host the 2015 race on July 17-19, but contractual issues led the sport to seek an alternative solution with Hockenheim before dropping the event altogether.
Both venues have been hosting the German Grand Prix alternately since 2007, with attendance figures dramatically dropping over the years. While Hockenheim is currently slated to host the returning contest in 2016, Nürburgring organisers are keen to welcome F1 back the following season.
“We held long discussions about Formula One this year,” said Nürburgring boss Schumacher in an interview with Motorsport-Total.com.
“We were very committed to making sure we had a race. I regret that it did not take place eventually.”
“We strive to have an F1 race in 2017 and are in discussions with [F1 commercial rights supremo] Bernie Ecclestone. The topic of Formula One is not off the table.”
Though naturally saddened by the demise of this year’s German Grand Prix, the Nürburgring chief admits the circuit made the right the call in the end.
“I feel sorry for the fans, the region and also for us that the race could not happen,” added Schumacher.
“In hindsight, we have not met anyone who said that we took a wrong decision, it’s actually quite the contrary.
“We could not and would not bear alone the risks. Instead of F1, we had a round of the World Endurance Championship [in late August], which proved to be a tremendous success.”
The Nürburgring circuit last hosted the German Grand Prix in 2013, with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel securing victory on home soil.
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