There are media reports from Germany that the Nurburgring will not be hosting a German Grand Prix in 2013. This would not be a surprise, given the shenanigans that have been going on there in recent months. However, it may also be a political move to flush out money to keep the event going. Usually with F1 contracts the money that is required by the Formula One group is guaranteed by the local government and so they know that if there is no race they will still have to pay up. This makes no sense at all and so what generally happens (as in Korea) is that the race goes ahead so as not to waste public money, in the hope that something will come of it. The authorities at Hockenheim, which alternates with the Nurburgring, do not have the cash to have a race every year, but if there is a chance of the contract being cancelled they might be able to raise the cash to step in and save the day. Germany without a Grand Prix would be a mighty blow to the country, and to Mercedes Benz…
In Texas »
Would be sad state of affairs to have no German Grand Prix in 2013 when we could have a German triple World Champion.
Germany without a Grand Prix would be a mighty blow to Grand Prix racing! Germany, like Great Britain, Monaco, and Italy, is a cornerstone upon which is the true foundation upon which F1 is built on. Where would GP racing be if all we end up with is races in fly by night worldly locations, which have no history behind them, save for a few years? The loss of France and the part time schedule of Spa are serious blows. Germany falling by the wayside would be another major torpedo direct hit to Grand Prix racing. … of course, in today’s world, it’s not like Bernie can fly to Germany and try to patch things up, can he?
having been to both German Gp’s in the past two years it would certainly be tragic not to have a race.
Leaving the tracks/facilities (which are both great) to one side, I much prefer the fact Hockenheim as it’s only a short drive from Heidelberg, great town for dinner and a few drinks which really adds to the weekend experience
excuse me not checking before posting, but is Merc now not part of a large US conglomerate, and they seem to be following a plan of upping expenditure on a failing F1 team….. Not a very smart or popular idea to Americans: pumping more cash into a failed concern….
“Mighty blow” is highly exaggerated … We’ve had our fair share of GP’s. Besides, there will be other GP’s in Europe, even in driving range from Germany. As for Mercedes, I don’t understand their involvement in F1 at all. They are well known for producing rather staid cars, and in F1 they don’t even live up to their own expectations; they have come dangerously close to losing their 5th rank to Sauber. That’s no good publicity …
The sooner Bernie goes and is replaced by someone with marketing skills the better F1 will be. Writing contracts that commit promoters to paying larger fees is not sustainable. He is 82 and still hasn’t put forward anybody to replace him.
Looking on the bright side, this does fully open a slot for a French grand prix.
And could this lead to a potential situation where there’s a race every year at Spa and alternation between French and Germany…?
sounds like Germany is in Bernie’s hands rather than Bernie being in German hands…………………………….
Off topic Joe, but have you been following the stupidity around media access to the India-England cricket series? Pretty sure cricket is of ‘national importance’ but even so, intransigence is the order of the day.
They want paying, don’t they?
For much that has already been paid for. They’ve also banned agency photographers, to which the Telegraph has this amusing response
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/picturegalleries/9680093/India-v-England-first-Test-in-the-only-pictures-available.html
ok – now that really IS funny… I’m kinda looking forward to an F1 version………
Second that. I got a laugh and it’s a significant time since I watched the cricket. Just voting for the F1 version you are hoping for. I mean, there are widely popular cartoonists about physics and maths – xkcd – and for history – Hark A Vagrant! – and all kinds of humor that works with a niche angle. But cartoons and F1 seems so lacking. I think all the F1 cartoons out there are basically lame. Please, someone intervene!
I’m surprised that there are no rumblings about Spain actually, given the economic situation there – Valencia being already ‘off’ (at the moment). Losing Germany would mean six european races out of 18/19 (depending on whether BE substitutes or not). I’m guessing a lot is riding on the US GP in terms of F1′s future credibility in becoming a truly World Championship.