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.
More races are heading to countries in Asia and the Middle East, where government funding can better cover the high hosting fees.
Stewart, a three-time world champion, told The Associated Press 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 in a telephone interview. "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, and that we are going to new countries.
"But you still have to respect your heritage."