Bernie says no to recalling second German race

(GMM) With the ink still wet on reports that France will not hold a grand prix in 2008, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has dashed Germany's prospect of regaining a second race.

Hockenheim and the Nurburgring now have to alternate the annual honor, but even with the axed Magny Cours opening up a vacant slot next year, Ecclestone ruled out bringing back the 'European grand prix'.

"Both (circuits) had to accept that it is difficult for one country to have two nearly identical events," the 76-year-old Englishman told the news agency 'sid'.

Ecclestone explained: "It is better for them now because they only have to find 120,000 race-day spectators rather than 250,000."

He therefore ruled out taking his circus to a completely new German circuit; such as the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, which has hosted Champ Car, DTM and Superbike races.

"No. Not for formula one," Bernie said.