Jackie Stewart laments loss of German F1 Grand Prix

Formula One great Jackie Stewart has bemoaned the downfall of the German Grand Prix and is urging the sport's bosses not to forsake tradition for money as the number of European races on the calendar dwindles.

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Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart has bemoaned the sport losing its links with tradition. Photo: EPA

Published: 9:03pm, 2 Apr 2015

Formula One great Jackie Stewart has bemoaned the downfall of the German Grand Prix and is urging the sport’s bosses not to forsake tradition for money as the number of European races on the calendar dwindles.

The German GP was erased from the 2015 schedule because of financial problems and F1 commercial head Bernie Ecclestone hasn’t guaranteed the future of the iconic Italian Grand Prix either.

You have to respect history. [Germany] should always be on the calendar

Jackie Stewart

More races are heading to Asia and the Middle East, where government funding can better cover the high hosting fees.

Stewart, a three-time world champion, said there should always be a place for the “essential” races in Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Monaco, as they helped “motorsport to become what it is today”.

“That sounds like me being a purist,” Stewart said. “But you have to respect history. They should always be on the calendar – it’s terrific we have a United States Grand Prix, a Brazilian Grand Prix, one in Bahrain.

Stewart said the sport was beginning to resemble the days when no driver could match the level of Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari. Photo: Reuters

“But you still have to respect your heritage.”

Germany’s grand prix may have disappeared but its status as a big motorsport nation is being preserved by the presence of Mercedes atop the drivers’ and constructors’ standings last year and the start of this season.

We have got such total domination ... that it has done damage to F1

Jackie Stewart