Formula One great Sir Jackie Stewart has bemoaned the downfall of the German Grand Prix and is urging the sport’s organisers not to forsake tradition for money as the number of European races dwindles. The German race was erased from the 2015 schedule because of financial problems and Bernie Ecclestone, commercial head of Formula One, has not felt able to guarantee the future of the iconic Italian Grand Prix. More races are heading to countries in Asia and the Middle East, where government funding can cover high hosting fees.Stewart, a three-times world champion, said there should always be a place for the “essential” races in Germany, Italy, Britain, France and Monaco. “That sounds like me being a purist,” he said. “But you have to respect history. They should always be on the calendar – it’s terrific we have a US 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.” Stewart said Sebastian Vettel’s win for Ferrari in the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday was “very welcome” as a way of spicing up the Formula One season. “We do need more competition and more winners, not just ‘Play it again Sam,’ ” he said. “I hope the Ferrari experience was not a one-hit wonder but there is nobody to touch Mercedes.”