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.

Mexican Grand Prix - Driver ratings

Use the red tabs on either side of the screen to scroll through more Formula One news and features

Click here for the F1 drivers' girlfriends gallery

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

58 mins ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

2 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

2 hours ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

3 hours ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

4 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

5 hours ago