(Reuters) "We expect to receive the authorisation shortly and we should be able to start early in January 2002," circuit spokesman Hartmut Tesseraux said.
The track will be shortened from 6,825 to 4,489 metres and new facilities and a new car park should be built for an estimated total cost of around DM100million ($45.54m).
The works will not prevent Hockenheim from hosting the German Grand Prix on the revamped circuit on July 28.
Extensive works to modernise the Hockenheim circuit, home of the German Formula One Grand Prix, should start next month.
