Austrian GP Gone Forever, Says Lauda

Former Austrian Formula One World Champion Niki Lauda said today that he believes the Austrian Grand Prix will not be given back its place on the calendar in 2005.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said the event will be scrapped at the end of this year to make way for one of the new circuits in China and Bahrain and organisers have said they were hoping it would be just a one-year sabbatical.

But Lauda, who left the Formula One scene when he was sacked as Jaguar boss last year, told newspaper Kleine Zeitung: "It seems the Austrian Grand Prix is gone forever. Any rumours about a revamping break for the track are nothing but politicians daydreaming.

"I know Bernie and his language very well. The way he explained it, to me, leaves no room for discussion."

The A1-Ring, which hosts the race, is to undergo a major re-design next year and organisers claim that the development is one of the main reasons for its disappearance from the calendar in 2004. But a return looks unlikely considering there is currently a limit of 17 races and both Turkey and Russia are looking to win a place on the calendar in the future.