Mercedes tried to save German GP

Editor

Mercedes offered a "significant contribution" to save the German Grand Prix, however, even their financial offer was not enough to sweeten the deal.

Although the Nurburging was scheduled to host this year's grand prix, the circuit's new owners failed to reach an agreement with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

And with Hockenheim declining the race, the FIA announced on Friday that there would be no German GP in 2015.

Motorsport's governing body stated that "the German Grand Prix has been withdrawn as the CRH and promoter did not reach agreement."

And that was despite Mercedes trying their best to sweeten the deal.

For the reigning World Champions the German GP marks one of their two home races as it also does for driver Nico Rosberg.

As such, Mercedes offered to help finance a race at Hockenheim. That, though, was turned down.

A Mercedes spokesman told the Observer: "The organisation of the race calendar and of individual events is a matter for the FIA, the commercial rights holder and the individual promoters.

"In principle, we do not believe it is the job of the competing teams to provide financial support for individual events and we do not believe this is a sustainable model for the future.

"Nevertheless, the German GP is a core race on the Formula 1 calendar and we have a significant interest in this race taking place.

"Mercedes-Benz has participated in discussions and offered a significant contribution to support a successful German GP, at the Hockenheimring, in 2015.

"This offer was, unfortunately, not accepted."