Jul.16 (GMM) Hockenheim’s chief has urged German fans to turn up in numbers next year as the country returns to the formula one calendar.
F1 is currently in an unplanned three-week gap between Silverstone and Hungary, because the embattled Nurburgring could not come up with the money for the 2015 race.
But Germany is back for 2016 with a race date confirmed by the governing FIA.
“We have a contract for 2016 and 2018. It was discussed and it has now been confirmed by the World Council,” said Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler, confirming the deal that was already in place for alternating races between the circuit and the Nurburgring.
“We always respect contracts,” he insisted.
He admitted, however, that Hockenheim needs spectators to turn out in numbers next year.
“We need a well-filled house next year,” Seiler told the German news agency DPA, “so that formula one has a future” at Hockenheim.
“So I say to the fans ‘Come back next year for the race and secure the future of formula one at the Hockenheimring,” he insisted.
Seiler said he hopes Germany’s break from the calendar this year will reignite spectators’ interest.
And he added: “We also see that formula one has recognised certain things and is making changes.
“Hopefully Nico Rosberg will be champion this year, then we (Germany) can have two champions against each other, one of them the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari,” he said. “You can’t get better than that.”