Vettel hopes Nurburgring rescues GP future

Sebastian Vettel has admitted he hopes the Nurburgring can secure its place on the F1 calendar.

The SPD/Green political coalition government in the local Rhineland-Palatinate state has announced it will withdraw its financial backing for the event after this weekend’s German grand prix.

Circuit operator Jorg Lindner said this week that the Nurburgring’s future beyond 2011 depends on a new contract with "economically and politically acceptable conditions".

Ahead of this weekend’s race, German reports quote world champion Vettel as saying: "It would be a shame if we lost the race here."

"The track is great fun, and it means a lot, especially with the history here which is unlike almost anywhere else in the world," added the Red Bull driver, referring also to the fearsome Nordschleife that lies adjacent to the modern layout.

He also thinks F1 makes financial sense for the region.

"I think it brings a lot of good, on the one hand for the people and on the other hand for the wallet," said Vettel, 24.