Lauda believes only 50-50 chance of Germany hosting a GP this F1 season

Formula One legend Niki Lauda has claimed that there is only a 50-50 chance of Germany hosting a Grand Prix this season, despite determined efforts to save it.

The former three-time Formula One world champion, now non-executive chairman of reigning champions Mercedes, said at the final pre-season test in Barcelona that the race remained in the balance.

Lauda said that Formula One commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone is the one who takes the decision but added that at the moment it doesn't look like it. But he said that he understands why, Stuff.co.nz reported.

With the season starting in Australia on March 15, there is every chance that the teams would head for Melbourne still unsure whether the championship would be run over 19 or 20 races.

Germany has reportedly alternated between the Nuerburgring and Hockenheim in recent years but both circuits have financial troubles.

It would have been the Nuerburgring's turn this year, but the track is under new and uncertain ownership, while Hockenheim suffered poor attendance last year and is reluctant to take a hit three years in a row.

The Austrian said that Hockenheim says that they cannot lose every year the money so he does not know what would happen, adding that he believes it's strictly between Ecclestone and them. He claimed that he hasn't heard anything negative or positive.

Lauda believes that Ecclestone reduced the hosting fee, claiming that at least that is what he was told, but added that if they cannot afford it then he does not know.

Lauda said that it is bad for Germany, bad for Mercedes, bad for everybody if the organisers cannot get it going, adding that if he had to bet, he would bet 50-50 only.