German Grand Prix still in doubt despite return

The German Grand Prix remains in doubt despite its return to the calendar this weekend.

Hockenheim currently alternates the race with the Nurburgring, which was unable to host the race last year and it is unclear whether it will be able to host the race again in the future.


"We have a contract for 2016 and 2018 and other than that it is not our turn," Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler told the German news agency SID.

Beyond that is in doubt however.

"Of course we want to keep Formula One," said Seiler, "for the image of the circuit as well. But it must be at a level that works economically."

The Nurburgring remains interested in hosting Formula One Grands Prix but money remains a problem.

"We would love to host the German Grand Prix," said new Nurburgring chief Mirco Markfort, "but for this the right economic conditions must be present. We cannot afford Formula One at any cost."

One major problem hampering traditional venues such at the Nurburgring and Hockenheim is that new hosts like Azerbaijan and others are driving up the average annual race fees.

"If there were 20 countries that would pay EUR 50 million for a race, then the season would probably only take place in those countries," added Hockenheim's Seiler. "But for us there is no such public pot. We need to rely on the fans."

Hockenheim has so far sold 52,000 tickets for Sunday's race, down on its target of 60,000
according to the German broadcaster RTL.

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