Bernie Ecclestone says there is no guarantee for Hockenheim in ‘16

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone looks on in the paddock after practice for the Malaysia Formula One Grand Prix at Sepang Circuit on March 27, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Lars Baron / Getty Images

Bernie Ecclestone has suggested next year’s German Grand Prix could also fall by the wayside just days after this season’s race was officially dropped from the Formula One calendar.

As per its contract, Hockenheim is scheduled to host the event in 2016, but at this early stage F1 chief executive Ecclestone is uncertain whether it will go ahead.

Asked at the Malaysian Grand Prix whether he could confirm it would take place, Ecclestone said, “no”.

Informed that Hockenheim has a contract for 2016 and 2018, Ecclestone said: “It doesn’t make a difference. A lot of people have a contract.”

Ecclestone intimated if Germany was unable to afford the race this year, then it will struggle to pay the hosting fee next season.

The Nurburgring was scheduled to host the race in July, but because of numerous financial difficulties behind the scenes, the circuit was ultimately forced to withdraw.

Ecclestone turned to Hockenheim to step in and fill the void, but negotiations broke down and time ran out as Hockenheim officials said they did not have enough time to promote and sell tickets.

“The trouble in Germany was the Nurburgring spent an awful lot of money, which they borrowed,” Ecclestone said.

“They didn’t need to spend what they spent and therefore didn’t need to borrow the amount they borrowed. They forgot to pay it back and that caused a few ripples. It sent a bad message.”

Historic European races are fast falling away, with France, San Marino and now Germany losing their place on the calendar in recent times.

Italy is another that will struggle to pay its way beyond the expiry of its current contract in 2016 unless the national government steps in to assist or Ecclestone reduces his fees.

Asked whether he was prepared to see F1’s European heartland wither away, Ecclestone said: “There are lots of things we all would like, but we don’t have them because we can’t afford them.”

Suggested to Ecclestone “if Monza goes, it goes”, he said: “Whatever goes, goes.”

Ecclestone did concede “it would be terrible” if Europe did lose all its races, particularly as the series would no longer become a world championship.

Many people say Ecclestone’s hosting fees are too steep, which in turn prompts promoters to charge extortionate ticket prices, leading to reduced numbers through the turnstiles.

Hockenheim, for instance, saw its audience plummet from more than 100,000 in 2012 to just 60,000 in 2014 despite German Sebastian Vettel being a four-time world champion at that stage and Mercedes dominating last year.

“Probably right,” said Ecclestone, regarding comments about overcharging.

“But the teams get 62 per cent of whatever profit is made, so if we make less money, the teams make less money.”

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton hailed his crew of mechanics following a difficult day at the office that he claims left him “heavily compromised” ahead of this weekend’s race.

Fresh from an Australian Grand Prix “triple crown” of pole position, fastest lap and race win, Hamilton was forced to pull his Mercedes to one side after just four installation laps in the first practice session at the Sepang International Circuit.

After the car was taken back to the garage there were initial fears an engine change may be required, only for the fault to lie within the power unit inlet system.

The depth of the issue within the system, however, meant Hamilton did not return to the track until 38 minutes into the 90 of FP2. But the Briton, 30, wasted no time in getting up to speed as he went on to set the fastest lap, being the only driver to dip under 100 seconds with a time of one minute, 39.790 seconds.

“It was an amazing job done by my guys to rebuild the car, get the engine and gearbox back on and to get back out,” Hamilton said.

“I am very grateful for that. Especially here where it is so hot and so difficult for the tyres, so it was really important get back out.”

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen was second quickest in both sessions, the Finn finishing 0.373 seconds adrift of Hamilton’s teammate Nico Rosberg in FP1 and remarkably exactly the same time off the Briton in FP2.

Although Ferrari are showing signs of closing in on Mercedes, Raikkonen said: “The car is still not perfect, but I’m sure we can improve for tomorrow.”

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