German Grand Prix cut from Formula 1 schedule

Image source, AFP

Image caption, Germany's Nico Rosberg won the 2014 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim - for Mercedes

The German Grand Prix has been cut from the Formula 1 calendar for 2015, leaving just 19 races on the schedule.

Hockenheim hosted the event in 2014, won by Nico Rosberg, but is supposed to alternate with the Nurburgring.

However, the Nurburgring has changed ownership and baulked at paying the hosting fees for the 19 July race.

Hockenheim, which has a contract for 2016, was asked to step in but track officials failed to agree terms with F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.

The last time Germany was absent from the F1 calendar was in 1960.

The race's history stretches back to 1926. Only Belgium and Italy have held races for longer.