German broadcasters keen to keep F1

Jul.15 (GMM) F1's German TV broadcasters insist they remain keen to keep the sport on television.

With the German grand prix missing in 2015, it has been rumoured that dwindling TV ratings could mean RTL and Sky also lose interest.

The current contracts expire at the end of this year.

But a spokesman for Sky Deutschland told Speed Week: "We announce something when there is something to announce.

"But we make no secret of the fact that, even after 20 years, we see formula one is a great sport and we are interested in continuing this partnership."

And a spokesman for free-to-air broadcaster RTL added: "We are in negotiations and do not feel under pressure. The talks can theoretically continue until the end of the year."

Meanwhile, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says there is no doubt that, even though Germany is missing from the 2015 calendar, it will be back next season.

Indeed, the FIA has scheduled a German race for next July, and Wolff told the Independent newspaper: "We will be in Germany next year.

"The race is 100 per cent going to happen," business journalists Christian Sylt and Katy Fairman quoted him as saying. "The budget is there, it is a fact."