Nurburgring eyes 2013 F1 race
2012-01-19 08:53
BACK AT THE 'RING: The Nurburgring hopes to host an F1 race in 2012 though its future is still in doubt.
Berlin, Germnay - Organisers of Germany's Nurburgring are in talks with Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone over a deal to host the 2013 Grand Prix despite cutting around 100 jobs at the circuit, a spokesman said.
Nurburgring hosts the German Grand Prix every second year, alternating with Hockenheim. It last staged the race in 2011, with Hockenheim the venue for the 2012 Grand Prix in July.
Nurburgring Automotive GmbH (NAG) spokesman Karl-Heinz Steinkuehler said :"Negotiations with Bernie Ecclestone have already started and are ongoing for the 2013 race.
CUTBACKS
"At the moment there is a package that the operators look at positively. But it is also the state of Rhineland-Palatinate that needs to sign off as a partners for any deal," he told Reuters.
Steinkuehler said more talks were expected within the first quarter of 2012, adding that the commercial future of the Nurburgring track was secure despite the loss of some 92 jobs and ongoing negotiations over what NAG says are the excessive leasing costs of the facilities.
Steinkuehler said: "The operators have no problem and the season starting in April this year is fully guaranteed. The cutbacks are necessary to meet the leasing costs."
He said 55 employees would be laid off with another 37 contracts not being renewed.
