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[Rolo9wss]

This new Hockenheim sucks anyway ... the old one with the long straights throught the forest was fantastic!

While I won't say the new configuration sucks, I do miss the old one with the long straights. It was so much more "German".

Plus, I love the name "Hockenheim": It sounds like a racetrack.

[csrracer]

That is a real shame. Even with the track as it is, i would still miss it. If Hockenheim does go, then presumably Nürburgring would get it permanently, yes?

Not sure they would want it on a yearly basis though...
Possible solution: alternate Nürburgring with other venues such as Rome, possibly Spa, etc.

Not sure I like the Idea of Spa every other year, I think this is the best track on the calendar.

[Gilles 27]

Spa is a must! Best track there is!

[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Hockenheim loses government backing

By Edd Straw and Dieter Rencken Wednesday, June 24th 2009, 10:52 GMT

Hockenheim's chances of holding the German Grand Prix next season have been dealt a major blow, with the local government refusing to continue to underwrite the loss-making race.

Hockenheim City Council - a 94 per cent shareholder in the track - has voted unanimously to drop the race, according to the Deutsche Presse Agentur, although it is understood that should Bernie Ecclestone be willing to negotiate a cheaper deal, the race could continue in 2010 - the final year of its current F1 contract.

Last year's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim ran at a loss of approaching six million Euros, with the 2010 race forecast to run at a similar deficit.

Ecclestone has written to organisers indicating that he is open to talks over the future of the race. A German event is crucial to a championship that includes Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as five German drivers including Sebastian Vettel, whose profile has risen massively in recent months.

The Nurburgring, which alternates the staging of Germany's grand prix with Hockenheim, is already concerned about the financial implications of having to run a race every year, meaning that it is not necessarily able to take over the event on a full-time basis.

Gunther Oettinger, the prime minister of Baden-Wurttemberg - the region in which Hockenheim is located, is planning to meet with Ecclestone in the next month, and is also pushing for funding from the national government. This gives hope that, despite the City Council's decision, Hockenheim could still have an F1 future.

Hockenheim could also be a candidate venue for the FOTA breakaway series, if it goes ahead.

[EwanM]

Shame, but imo no loss. Nurburgring owns the new Hock - simple as.

The biggest worry now though is regarding the long term future of the German GP at the Nurburgring, I can't see the ADAC being able to afford to run the race year after year on its own. UNLESS Germany has a resurgence in interest for F1 with Sebastian Vettel. He will hopefully push up the ticket sales.

[darwin dali]

Shame, but imo no loss. Nurburgring owns the new Hock - simple as.

The biggest worry now though is regarding the long term future of the German GP at the Nurburgring, I can't see the ADAC being able to afford to run the race year after year on its own. UNLESS Germany has a resurgence in interest for F1 with Sebastian Vettel. He will hopefully push up the ticket sales.

Lausitzring?

[EwanM]

Shame, but imo no loss. Nurburgring owns the new Hock - simple as.

The biggest worry now though is regarding the long term future of the German GP at the Nurburgring, I can't see the ADAC being able to afford to run the race year after year on its own. UNLESS Germany has a resurgence in interest for F1 with Sebastian Vettel. He will hopefully push up the ticket sales.

Lausitzring?

That would be a good idea, however is the infield section really up to much in terms of Formula One. Even with DTM its a bit stop start.

Erm They could always opt for the Norisring. That would be random... and probably impossible...

[7UpJordan]

The biggest worry now though is regarding the long term future of the German GP at the Nurburgring, I can't see the ADAC being able to afford to run the race year after year on its own. UNLESS Germany has a resurgence in interest for F1 with Sebastian Vettel. He will hopefully push up the ticket sales.

Vettel's win at Silverstone couldn't have been better timed if the German fans start to flood to the circuit once again, particularly the way he pretty much crushed the opposition.

If Vettel manages to win infront of his home crowd, it will certainly give the German Grand Prix some hope of remaining on the calendar.

[bud]

Shame, but imo no loss. Nurburgring owns the new Hock - simple as.

The biggest worry now though is regarding the long term future of the German GP at the Nurburgring, I can't see the ADAC being able to afford to run the race year after year on its own. UNLESS Germany has a resurgence in interest for F1 with Sebastian Vettel. He will hopefully push up the ticket sales.

Bernie can lower his asking price that would help!

[myownalias]

What ever happened to the original Hockenheim with the long straights through the forest and slow chicanes? Races have been disappointing since it was changed!

[EwanM]

What ever happened to the original Hockenheim with the long straights through the forest and slow chicanes? Races have been disappointing since it was changed!

They killed it.

[myownalias]

What ever happened to the original Hockenheim with the long straights through the forest and slow chicanes? Races have been disappointing since it was changed!

They killed it.

Was there a reason they killed it; safety concerns maybe?

[EwanM]

What ever happened to the original Hockenheim with the long straights through the forest and slow chicanes? Races have been disappointing since it was changed!

They killed it.

Was there a reason they killed it; safety concerns maybe?

I think F1 wanted it shortened for operational costs etc.

[myownalias]

What ever happened to the original Hockenheim with the long straights through the forest and slow chicanes? Races have been disappointing since it was changed!

They killed it.

Was there a reason they killed it; safety concerns maybe?

I think F1 wanted it shortened for operational costs etc.

That's a shame I used to love watching F1 at the old Hockenheim, watching cars going wheel to wheel into the chicanes at the end of the long straight!

Maybe F1 could hold a race a Le Mans; that would be good fun; all 8 miles of it... see if we can get the F1 cars upto 250mph!

[h-tomek]

I think F1 wanted it shortened for operational costs etc.

That was Bernie's idea. He said at that time that track was too long and fans at the grand stands saw cars just few times during the race. I think that was an official explanation. Or something like that.

And, old Hockenheim was good, not only because of long straits, but because of changeable weather conditions. Just remember race in 2000 and brilliant Barrichello's win. It was raining on the one part of track, and it was dry on other. It is similar thing as with Spa, that make (made) them excellent and demanding tracks.