Ecclestone Holds Out Hope For German GP Even Though It 'Looks Doomed'

F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "is keeping the door ajar for German Grand Prix organizers even if this year's race looks doomed," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. When asked about the fate of what should be the 10th round on a 20-race championship that started in Australia on Sunday, he said, "I don't know at the moment. There is no contract with Hockenheim. And they haven't had an agreement. Originally they were going to support it with somebody to help them with the finance. It didn't happen." Ecclestone confirmed that "Hockenheim was the only option for the July 19 race" despite it being the Nürburgring's turn to host it under an alternation agreement. Hockenheim "put on last year's grand prix and is also due to host it in 2016 but the circuit has made heavy losses due to poor attendances and is unwilling to shoulder the burden for three years in a row." The Nürburgring "also has financial troubles and has changed ownership since it last appeared on the calendar" (REUTERS, 3/16).