And now Hockenheim may be going

[andyps]

When is Bernie going to realise that his current business plan is unsustainable? It seems that he can't see round the pile of money in front of him to recognise that the income is drying up, and the reason is that he has most of the income leaving too little for those who actually generate it.

With the news that Hockenheim are potentially going to stop hosting F1 because of losses, built on Silverstone not being able to make a business case out of paying the rate required by FOM, and even the Chinese considering whether it is worthwhile will there be anything left of the F1 we currently have, and of which FOM is the commercial rights holder?

I know it has been said before, but either there is a plan behind the actions of Mr E which are probably not for anyone's benefit except his own, or he has lost the plot, or both. Which is it?

[DrTre]

It's all getting very bizarre.

What with the medal system and rapidly disappearing number of tracks actually interested in hosting F1 is his grand plan to have one race a season and the gold medallist of that is the season champ?

[FourWheelDrift]

I hear it's going to be renamed in 2011 to, "The Formula One Arabian Championships, in association with Bernie Ecclestone."

[dpbird90]

Noooo! I was hoping they would rebuild old Hockenheim and use that, the shorter new version is a bit of a pussy circuit. How much I would give to see Lewis & Massa wheel to wheel, side by side racing through the forest down those immense straights like Mansell & Senna...

[MrKipling43]

At the ripe old age of 78, I suspect 'sustainability' is not high on BE's list of priorities.

God only knows what goes on in that man's mind. Still, you don't get that rich by being a charitable, rounded, friendly old chap!

[paranha]

Well on the way to destroying the European circuits---except Monza of course-- Time for FOTA to pull the plug on BE who has lost the plot, only $$$$$$$$$$$ are of interest to him.

[german tony]

Just out of interest, how many countries/circuits are there with the cash to keep Bernie happy?

[Dirty Boy]

With various tracks dropping off the calendar, it's slowly making it more viable for the teams to split from F1 and form their own series perhaps?

[BoRED S2upid]

Thank god Spa is back. These old tracks are SO much better than the modern ones.

[majordad]

This is my suggested F1 year, dump the rest

March Kylami South Africa
April Spa Belguim
May Zandvoort Holland
Late May Monte Carlo Monaco
June Rheims France ( or Magny Cours )
July Oulton Park Irish GP
Late July Silverstone Britain
August Nurburgring Germany
September Monza Italy
September Buenos Aires Brazil
October Laguna Seca North America

And before anyone says the cars would be too fast etc for the circuits, well make them fit.

[Doobs]

MrKipling43 said:

At the ripe old age of 78, I suspect ....

I always imagined you were youger than that ... say about 75

eta: It doesn't look so great for the Nurburgring either. If Hockenheim does go who will it alternate with?

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/...

While they say they want to carry on they do admit it costs them, so how long will they sustain that for?

Edited by Doobs on Tuesday 2nd December 11:35

[White-Noise]

Its rather worrying with this happening. Beemer and Merc have thrown their weight in emphasising the importance of this GP staying on the calendar. They have quarter of the grid as German, 2 huge manufacturers, lots of history, Shumacher in there and yet they are struggling. Doesnt make sense.

Maybe its because Bernie is Jewish and he is getting his own back?

[Get Karter]

White-Noise said:

Maybe its because Bernie is Jewish and he is getting his own back?

Apparently, he isn't Jewish.
He corrected the press on that during 'Moseley-gate'.

[aeropilot]

majordad said:

This is my suggested F1 year, dump the rest

March Kylami South Africa
April Spa Belguim
May Zandvoort Holland
Late May Monte Carlo Monaco
June Rheims France ( or Magny Cours )
July Oulton Park Irish GP
Late July Silverstone Britain
August Nurburgring Germany
September Monza Italy
September Buenos Aires Brazil
October Laguna Seca North America

And before anyone says the cars would be too fast etc for the circuits, well make them fit.

Gets my vote........

But I'd substitute the location for the Irish GP to Dundrod...and I'd stick in an Aussie GP on the mountain circuit at Bathurst....

Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 3rd December 11:05

[dxb335d]

beuanos aires is in Argentina, and oulton in the uk.

Medals are ste.

[hot metal]

Is it just me but isnt Hockenheim rubbish now anyway ?

[Fire99]

hot metal said:

Is it just me but isnt Hockenheim rubbish now anyway ?

It's not great.. But it's a darn sight better than Valencia, Sepang, or Singapore which just seem like Corporate theme-parks..

The F1 'circus' needs a few less Performing Monkeys and few more Lions and Tigers..

[flemke]

Fire99 said:

hot metal said:

Is it just me but isnt Hockenheim rubbish now anyway ?

It's not great.. But it's a darn sight better than Valencia, Sepang, or Singapore which just seem like Corporate theme-parks..

The F1 'circus' needs a few less Performing Monkeys and few more Lions and Tigers..

As you say, not great.
It does have a couple of good bends, at least one legitimate overtaking spot (for F1), and that iconic Mobil bottle .

So they won't be racing anymore on the ground where we lost Clark, they won't be racing where we lost Senna.
Silverstone has been axed, Brands is out of the question, Nurburgring is on its way out, the French GP is, er, gone. Zandvoort? Buenos Aires? Kyalami? Watkins Glen? Montreal? Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

But isn't it reassuring to know that we've got Valencia and Singapore, with Abu Dhabi in the wings?

[tomTVR]

Hockenheim is ste now anyway since it was neutered a few years ago, before that it was one of my favourite tracks.

[Blue Meanie]

Indy/cart is looking more and more interesting the more the little man meddles.