BERLIN — The financially troubled Nuerburgring circuit will host a Grand Prix as planned this year after striking a deal with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone. "The long period of uncertainty over the site of the pinnacle of motorsport in Germany is over," the state-owned Nuerburgring operating company said Thursday in a statement. The Rhein-Zeitung newspaper reported that Ecclestone struck the deal with Nuerburgring GmbH chief Karl-Josef Schmidt late Wednesday. "I very much appreciate the Nuerburgring and its history," Ecclestone said in translated comments. "Even today, the Grand Prix route demands the most from drivers and teams." Hockenheim, which hosts the German Grand Prix every other year, indicated its availability to host the July 7 race if a deal could not be struck with Nuerburgring. It is still unclear if the race will be called the German Grand Prix or European Grand Prix. GmbH insolvency administrator Thomas B. Schmidt thanked Ecclestone and said "with his commitment to the legendary racetrack, he delivers a significant and valuable contribution to the Nuerburgring." Nuerburgring filed for insolvency last July. — AP
