Even being helped by the successes of Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, the Hockenheimring has had difficulty making a name for itself and to gain enough financial backing to make the hosting of the German Grand Prix viable.
The race alternated being hosted at the Hockenheimring and the Nurburgring between 2008 and 2013, although since 2014 it has been held every two years at the former after the latter pulled the plug on its contract after getting into financial difficulty.
This year’s race, however, was a great financial success. The 71,000 fans who were at the circuit on race day meant that there was a twenty per cent average of the five races which have been held at the circuit over the last five years.
The Nurburgring are not currently negotiating with Liberty Media in regards to holding a race next season, meaning that Hockenheim could host back-t0-back races for the first time since the 2005/06 seasons.
“Logically, we’re negotiating,” said Hockenheimring boss Georg Seiler, speaking to Motorsport.com. “We have not written off Formula 1. We want Formula 1.”
Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport have a big presence at the front of the grid – Credit: Octane Photographic Ltd
The German Grand Prix could still find a place on the 2019 calendar due to the fact that a potential Miami Grand Prix has been postponed to 2020 at the earliest, and talks have ceased over a new race which could be held in Vietnam.
Seiler has made it clear that he wishes for a long term-solution to be sought out.
“Our intention is not just to step into the breach because a place is available in the calendar in 2019,” he said. “We would like to bring about a long-term solution.”
There were be no public funds put towards the running of the grand prix, although the country expressed to Liberty that they value the sport.
We’re not ready to wave the white flag on Germany for 2019″, said Sean Bratches, Formula 1’s Commercial Chief. “Everyone’s interested in making a deal.
“And there’s multiple circuits in this wonderful country.”
