The Nürburgring "is back in discussions" with F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "in the hope of returning to the calendar in 2017."
The circuit "was due to hold the German Grand Prix earlier this year, as per its rotational policy with Hockenheim."
But ongoing financial difficulties and changes of ownership "eventually forced it to pull out last winter."
Hockenheim "will take up hosting the German GP as scheduled for 2016," with the Nürburgring "looking to follow suit the year after" (AUTOSPORT, 11/5). ... The European Tour "is giving serious consideration to a radical shakeup that would result in World Golf Championship events and majors being dropped as counting events for membership." Players "would instead have to compete in five standard tournaments, such as national opens, to retain full status on the tour and so be eligible for a Ryder Cup place."
As things stand, professionals "must feature 13 times each year to remain as European Tour members and qualify for the biennial contest" against the U.S. Four WGC events and the same number of majors "can count in that figure, which affords a clear benefit to those ranked inside the world’s top 50" (London GUARDIAN, 11/7).
