FEBRUARY 17, 2006

German regional government reassures race fans

Heribert Rech, the Interior Minister for the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg has told the German media that there are no fears about the future of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, despite the financial problems which the circuit is currently facing. The implication in this is that the state will step in and rescue the race if needs be but that until that is necessary the politcians are hopeful that a long-term solution can be found to help Hockenheim become more financially viable. The most logical idea appears to be to try to convince Dietmar Hopp, the founder of the software company SAP, to construct his planned $40m soccer stadium at Hockenheim so that the earning potential of venue will increase for all concerned.