Nurburgring to host 2013 grand prix - reports

Nurburgring officials have reached an agreement with Bernie Ecclestone to host the German grand prix as scheduled in July.

That is the claim of the German newspapers Allgemeine Zeitung and Rhein Zeitung, following a long-running ’on again, off again’ saga surrounding the fortunes of the financially beleaguered Nurburgring.

Mere hours before the latest reports, which were confirmed by Rhineland-Palatinate state spokeswoman Monika Fuhr, F1 chief executive Ecclestone had admitted the Nurburgring’s future was still clouded.

"It’s all a bit messy," he was quoted by the Daily Mail. "At the moment the race is on, off, on, off, but we’re doing our best to get it sorted."

SID news agency said a race will definitely be held at the Nurburgring in July, although "it is unclear whether it will be (called) the German or the European grand prix".

"It’s all a little bit political," said Ecclestone, referring to the naming dispute between the Nurburgring-linked body AvD, and ADAC, a rival Hockenheim-linked German automobile club.

One report said ADAC had even submitted a proposal to host the race at the Nurburgring.

"It’s all a bit messy with different political groups fighting each other," said Ecclestone.

SID reported that the news about the Nurburgring’s July 7 race will be announced at a press conference on Thursday.

Kolner Express newspaper said "government sources" had confirmed the media reports.

"This is good news for the region," said state spokeswoman Fuhr.