Hockenheim dropped

[Jasandjules]

That is a bit of a shame to not have a German GP.

[Park'O]

That's a kind gesture by Mercedes

[Oz83]

thegreenhell said:

Hockenheim still has a contract for 2016 and 2018, but it was never contracted to host the race this year. The Nurburgring was dropped this year and Hockenheim just failed to take up the slack.

From what I understand there is a cut off date whereby the circuit must inform the FIA if they can't hold the race. If they miss that date, then they will not be eligible to hold the race in 2016.

[Logie]

They are also thinking with short notice there is a chance there going to be really low numbers, its still going to cost them millions even with Merc helping.

Also, with them hosting next year and no Ger GP this year, they might expect a sellout..

[Europa1]

thegreenhell said:

REALIST123 said:

Wouldn't agree. I think the ticket prices are purely supply and demand. Bernie would not reduce ticket prices because he gets paid more from the hosts. Not at all. He will want as much as he can get from wherever he can get it.

I didn't think the ticket prices were anything to do with Bernie. That is the one and only thing he leaves to the individual circuits to make money from to cover their own costs, and if they're very lucky make a small profit from.

That is why the ticket prices are actually connected to Bernie Ecclestone: he sets the fees for the circuit to host the grand prix, but he controls the TV rights, trackside advertising etc, so the only revenue stream the circuits have is tickets. He is also the "promoter" of the sport, and despite there being a German world champion for 4 of the last 5 years and a German manufacturer winning the constructors' championship last year, crowd numbers in Germany were sliding, suggesting his promotional activities weren't very effective.

[Krikkit]

Allyc85 said:

MitchT said:

Hockenheim died when they took away the forest section - it's just another Tilke identikit borefest now. Won't miss it.

Despite lacking any character, it actually gave some great racing! Last years battles were certainly good!

It doesn't look great on TV, but in person it's actually a great track imo. A hell of a lot better than the 'ring anyway!

[stephen300o]

It is a much better circuit for losing the pointless flat out bits. A great shame to lose it, but then F1 is dying anyway.

[GreigM]

stephen300o said:

but then F1 is dying anyway.

It was funny to hear alonso today, he basically said it was unfortunate he had to watch Australia on the TV because it was so dull I'm sure that would have pleased Bernie.

[DeltonaS]

AMD87 said:

I think the drivers would only wanna go over this once...

Add some more of those and they could call it the Dutch Grand Prix ;-)