BERLIN (REUTERS) - Next month's Eifel Grand Prix at Germany's Nurburgring track can have as many as 20,000 fans in attendance, the local authorities said on Monday (Sept 21), with the region's coronavirus infections under control.

"The permission for 20,000 fans is within the decision of the state that allows up to 20 per cent of stadium capacity for major sports events if infection figures are inconspicuous and the public infrastructure allows for social distancing rules to be met," Ahrweiler district council said.

Tickets for the Oct 11 race went on sale shortly after the decision. The circuit can normally accommodate more than 100,000 spectators.

Germany reported 922 more positive coronavirus cases on Monday with the overall death toll at 9,386.

The old Nurburgring was a famous pre-World War II venue for grand prix racing and the remodelled circuit last featured in the Formula One world championship in 2013. The circuit sank into insolvency in 2012 and changed ownership in 2014.

Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has won six of nine races this season and is 55 points clear of second-placed Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the standings with eight rounds remaining.