F1: Ecclestone Vows To ‘Do Everything’ To Help Nurburgring

• Ecclestone vows to 'do everything' to help Nurburgring
• Tyre war would mean 'decent tyres' in F1 - Schumacher
• Whitmarsh not commenting on Coca-Cola reports
• Mercedes, FIA, yet to agree on new Concorde - reports
• Susie Wolff still on track after de Villota crash
• Ultra-safe F1 'a shame' - Moss
• Sam Michael thinks 2-second pitstops possible
• No summer deadline for new Hamilton deal - Whitmarsh
• Alonso also F1's personal sponsor king - report
• Good form will 'ensure' Ferrari future - Massa

Ecclestone vows to 'do everything' to help Nurburgring

Bernie Ecclestone has vowed to do what he can to keep the Nurburgring on the F1 calendar.

The famous circuit has commenced an insolvency process, raising the danger that from now on the German grand prix will be held only once every two years at Hockenheim.

But German reports on Wednesday said F1's chief executive has offered to waive his usual race sanctioning fee for the Nurburgring in 2013, and in return "bear all costs but also claim all revenues".

A spokesman for the Nurburgring confirmed the accuracy of those reports.

And the Rhein Zeitung newspaper quoted a circuit official as warning that there is only "a small tine window" for authorities to approve the deal.

German reports said circuit officials Kai Richter and Jorg Lindner negotiated the deal with Ecclestone in London last Thursday.

"We will do everything that is commercially feasible to keep it (the German grand prix on the calendar) -- hopefully in Hockenheim and the Nurburgring," 81-year-old Ecclestone is quoted by Auto Bild.

But the Briton also acknowledged the risk that the Nurburgring will drop off the calendar.

"If it's not possible, we will talk to Hockenheim to see if they can do it," said Ecclestone.

(GMM)

Tyre war would mean 'decent tyres' in F1 - Schumacher

With a single neat soundbite, Michael Schumacher on Wednesday renewed his criticism of Pirelli and called for a new tyre war in F1.

The German publication Auto Bild this week mentioned the rumour that FIA president and Frenchman Jean Todt would like to see Michelin return to the sport.

But the French tyre marque has stated categorically that it would only come back if the rules are changed to allow tyre makers to compete against one another again.

During the FOTA fan's forum in Stuttgart on Wednesday, seven time world champion Schumacher admitted he too would like to see a tyre war once again.

Why?

"Because then we would have decent tyres," the 43-year-old German is quoted as saying.

Earlier this season, Schumacher likened Pirelli's 2012 product to driving "on raw eggs".

The Mercedes driver also admitted he would be open to contesting more than 20 grands prix per season.

"I think there are 34 match days that are watched on television in the (German football) Bundesliga," said Schumacher, "so I think there is still room (in F1)."

(GMM)

Whitmarsh not commenting on Coca-Cola reports

Martin Whitmarsh fired a blank on Wednesday when asked about rumours Coca-Cola could replace McLaren's title sponsor Vodafone.

With Vodafone reportedly reviewing its sponsorship of the famous British team, media sources have said the iconic drinks brand Coke is looking into entering the sport.

McLaren principal Whitmarsh was asked about the Vodafone and Coca-Cola speculation during a media teleconference on Wednesday.

"As you can imagine we don't talk about commercial discussions," he said.

"We have enjoyed a good and very successful partnership with Vodafone.  We will be with them for some time to come and we talk together about whether that would be lengthened beyond the existing length of the contract.

"There are also a whole range of other conversations with existing partners and new partners.  But I'm sure you can imagine that we are quite unlikely to disclose those discussions," added Whitmarsh.

(GMM)

Mercedes, FIA, yet to agree on new Concorde - reports

A major German daily has cast doubt on Bernie Ecclestone's claim that every team has now signed up for the 2013 Concorde Agreement.

The F1 chief executive said earlier this month that there is now "total agreement" with regards to the way forward in light of the sport's expiring commercial deal with the competing teams and the governing FIA.

"We are just talking to the lawyers ... 'why have you used this word, that word'.  Typical lawyers but everything's fine," said Ecclestone.

"Commercially it's done," he told the Daily Mail on July 6.

But German specialist magazine Auto Motor und Sport reported this week that the Jean Todt-led federation has in fact not yet agreed to the currently tripartite deal.

In second place is Michael Schumacher, the seven time world champion.

Despite winning only a single podium in the two and a half seasons since returning to F1 in 2010, 43-year-old Schumacher made between 5 and 6 million in personal sponsorship in the past year, said the report.

The current world champion, Sebastian Vettel, reportedly makes only 3-4 million in estimated personal sponsorship; about the same as Jenson Button, but less than McLaren's Lewis Hamilton (5m).

(GMM)

Good form will 'ensure' Ferrari future - Massa

Felipe Massa is confident he just needs to keep up his improved form to "ensure" a new contract for 2013.

In a pre-German grand prix statement posted on Ferrari's official website, the Brazilian denied that Mark Webber's decision to stay at Red Bull next year is a weight off his mind.

"The only thing that is important for me is that I keep performing in the same way I did in Silverstone," the 31-year-old is quoted as saying.

He admitted he is keeping "an eye" on the 2013 silly-season.

But "I'm sure that driving the way I am now is the only thing I can do and need to do to ensure my future," Massa insisted.

"What happens in the drivers' market does not have a significant effect on my position.  If I carry on performing the way I did in Silverstone, then I don't feel too worried about my future."

Massa has raced for Ferrari since 2006.

(GMM)