Nurburgring ’not annoyed’ by Ecclestone snub

Nurburgring officials might be forgiven for feeling "annoyed" after being stood up at the weekend by Bernie Ecclestone.

Despite the Nurburgring entering an insolvency process, bosses Jorg Lindner and Kai Richter took the time and expense to travel to Hockenheim, specifically to meet with Ecclestone and discuss their circuit’s crisis.

"They waited and waited, but Bernie did not come," revealed the Suddeutsche newspaper.

Media reports speculated that the F1 chief executive stayed away for fear German prosecutors would order his arrest as they push forward with a bribery investigation.

"We are not annoyed," a spokesman for the Nurburgring told DPA news agency.

"We are in contact in other ways (with Ecclestone) regarding formula one at the Nurburgring in 2013."

Already convicted and jailed for receiving Ecclestone’s bribes is the former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky, whose lawyer Daniel Amelung says 81-year-old Briton Ecclestone cannot hide forever.

"I wonder how in the future he can fulfil his duties in Germany, in Europe, indeed in the entire world if the prosecutor should apply for an international arrest warrant," he told Bild newspaper.

Ecclestone has been unavailable for comment.