Hockenheim not on F1 2019 calender
- Published on 28 Jun 2018 14:23
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- By: Danny Sosef
There will be no German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in 2019. The circuit is hosting a race next month, but organisers have been unable to reach a new deal with F1 owner Liberty Media.
"We are not surprised but of course it's a great pity," Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler told Sport Bild as well as DPA news agency.
"We talked with Liberty Media but made it clear time and time again that we are interested in continuing only if the financial risk is minimised.
"We have not been able to reach a viable model at least for the upcoming season," he added.
Seiler said Hockenheim is now hoping for a comeback in 2020.
"The goal remains a fundamentally changed business model," he said. "To what extent our ideas can be aligned with those of formula one in the future, we will see."
As for next month's German Grand Prix, Seiler said Hockenheim is hoping to attract a crowd of 70,000 on Sunday, which would mean financially breaking even.
It is possible that Liberty Media will now pursue its talks with the Nurburgring.
"Since the beginning of 2017, we have had proactive negotiations with Liberty Media and, in March 2018, we discussed new opportunities for cooperation," said chief executive Mirco Markfort.
"Our proposals are on the table, now it's up to Liberty Media to decide," the Nurburgring chief added.
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Replies (10)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A shame, wanted to take mum with to see the GP next year, but they'll be back in 2020, so doesnt matter too much. Would be sweet to have the ring back though.
Hepp
Posts: 200
I doubt it'll happen. Not unless they get very far away from Bernie's previous deals. As for that point ... most tracks (city circuits) should do the same.
Let Liberty take their liberties to make the sport a show, and hope for their return on their investment. I hope the younger ones will like it, I don't see much of a future in it for me.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, so do I sadly, but who knows?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
But I doubt the young uns will like it either if they have street tracks instead. In my gen most are purists: when we watch racing, we wanna see them go all out on a proper track.
Hepp
Posts: 200
Here too ... My generation was Gilles Villeneuve all out... the daring of a 6-wheel Tyrell, Prost and Alaisi head to head, Mr. Mclaren was in my father's time but I can still remember when Sir Frank Williams shined. Ah yes ... the days of yore.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I will not defend Bernie's deals for one second. But it has to be said that Germany's interest in F1 has be dwindling for about a decade. German GPs have been a sad ordeal for a while now (I mean the attendance not the race itself). I think it all sort of died off when Schumacher retired. Vettel's 4 championships did little to change things. He's never been that popular in Germany (by comparison)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Certainly, and as much as I love Hockenheim for sentimental value they need to up their game in several aspects to make the event a bit more exciting. I personally also think F1 need to cut ticket prices, because I think it would garner more interest if it was an event most would actually be able to affordably visit. But that issue apply to many sports really.
On a different note: thoughts about the Austrian GP? I personally really liked that race. It was a sorta return to form from what we've seen earlier. But I fear the engine saving will start now. How many engine related retirements did we have again? 3? Was Hammy's just the gearbox or was it the PU?
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
@Calle Brilliant race. I was disappointing for the Mercedes because I thought we were in for a good battle. But that's lady the luck. The same one that brought Lewis 30+ consecutive point's finishes. Gotta say, however, the battles in the midfield were my favourite thing about the race. The battles between Gasly, Leclerc, Alonso, and Ericsson in the last 3 laps would have been vintage had it happened while fighting for a win or podium.
Also question... what the hell is happening with this site? No race reports, not updates since June 28th, no keeping up with the news. What's going on?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
@AJPENNYPACKER Same, and gutted for Bottas, but on the bright side Ferrari is now in the lead. And yes, the midfield was as usual the most interesting battle. I wish we'd actually get to see more of those battles during the race instead of being permanently stuck on the Ferrari vs Ricciardo vs Mercedes battle.
@ROGERF1 running out of fuel with the most fuel efficient engine on the grid? Its possible, but I think its unlikely. Rather I think there was some mechanical problem. Is it Mercedes' turn to pay the piper and get some mechanical woes, pray tell? This was a very old school race, and in general I think this has been a very oldschool season. The best in several years. I really, really hope the 3 PU limit wont screw us over too badly though.
RogerF1
Posts: 501
Seems like all the story writers on here have gone on holiday? At the start of the season we had a race tracker page?
Nothing news worthy since the 28th?
Yes, Calle a good race, pleasantly surprised albeit I had it on record after a busy day so skipped some of the drier moments. Do you think Hammy might actually run out of fuel? That would constitute a “loss of fuel pressure”. Seems odd to have such a random failure. Felt very nostalgic to see a race so upside down from front runner retirements, just like the good old days, hope it continues except before we didn’t then face the s...storm that is coming from grid penalties.