Bernie Ecclestone close to a decision regarding the 2013 calendar
If he dismisses the possibility of an Austrian Grand Prix and hopes for the return of Turkey, Bernie Ecclestone believes that a calendar of nineteen races would not be a big problem for Formula 1, especially since the issue of the German Grand Prix remains to be resolved, which the Nürburgring might indeed host.
Just over two months before the start of the 2013 season in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix, the world championship calendar has still not been finalized as the presence, or absence, of a twentieth race, in Austria or Turkey, remains to be decided, while the Nürburgring is still hoping to reach an agreement for the organization of the German Grand Prix.
Indeed, after clashing at the Hockenheim circuit in 2012, the German Grand Prix was supposed to be held this season at the Nürburgring as part of an alternating schedule in place since 2007. However, faced with financial issues, there was doubt about the chances of the circuit nestled in the Eifel massif maintaining its spot on the 2013 calendar. Nevertheless, in the days following Christmas, Karl-Heinz Steinkuhler, spokesperson for Nürburgring Automotive GmbH, appeared rather optimistic: “Formula 1 will be at the Nürburgring on July 7, 2013. The main sponsors are making their reservations now.”
The agency Reuters notes, however, that no tickets are yet available for sale for the German Grand Prix on the main dedicated sites, and for good reason, as no agreement has been signed yet. Thus, Pietro Nuvoloni, spokesperson for the recovery company currently handling the Nürburgring case, admitted in the Rhein Zeitung that some uncertainties remained: « The ball is currently in Bernie Ecclestone’s court. We hope that F1 will be at the Nürburgring in 2013. »
As a meeting is scheduled in London between the German circuit officials and Bernie Ecclestone, the holder of F1 commercial rights also expresses his optimism in the Austrian newspaper, Kronen Zeitung: « It should be the Nürburgring, we will try to make it possible. »
Regarding the twentieth event, scheduled to take place after the German Grand Prix on July 21, 2013, Bernie Ecclestone effectively dismisses the candidacy of the Red Bull Ring for hosting an Austrian Grand Prix: « There are too few hotels. That’s the only problem: the circuit is great, the people are all welcoming, and it’s a pleasure to work with them [but], unfortunately, there simply aren’t enough hotels in the area. » Helmut Marko, the right-hand man of Dietrich Matezschitz, remains cautious: « So far, we have not received an official calendar. No one has talked to us. I can imagine many things, even a season with only nineteen races. »
Indeed, Bernie Ecclestone, who shows his preference for the Turkish bid, admits, however, that we might only have nineteen Grand Prix in 2013. The Briton also believes that it wouldn’t be a big problem for Formula 1 and estimates that a decision could be made during this week.
