Nurburgring May Host F1 In 2017
Speaking of Bernie Ecclestone’s definitely-not-bribery-or-extortion payouts for hosting Formula One races, Germany’s famed Nurburgring had a rotational F1-hosting arrangement with Germany’s other F1 track at Hockenheim, but the Nurburgring’s owners balked at paying Bernie money in 2015 and that meant there was no German Grand Prix this year. Hockenheim agreed to pay Bernie money and has filled the gap but negotiations have resumed for the possibility of F1 resuming at Nurburgring. The German government is unlikely to subsidize the payment to Bernie – a la Texas and the USA Grand Prix and others – so the likelihood that F1 returns to Nurburgring is still thin and depending more on tradition speaking out than a reduction in Bernie’s payout.
If the Nurburgring is in the mix, it will not host a race until the 2017 season since Hockenheim already has German GP hosting duties for 2016 and, alas, is unlikely to be held on the Nordschliefe track.
The 2015 Formula One season continues with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos at 8 a.m. [PDT] on NBCSN on November 15, 2015.