The 2018 edition of the German Grand Prix was a thriller of a race and although their local hero Sebastian Vettel crashed out of the lead of his home race in front of a capacity crowd, there are moves to re-establish the race on the Formula 1 calendar on a permanent basis.
Formula 1 marketing chief Sean Bratches told Reuters recently: “It is in our interest that things continue in Germany. In three out of 21 countries this season, we have the situation that the government does not financially support the Grand Prix. These are the races in Austria, Great Britain and Germany. We need to find an appropriate way for these three to circumvent this lack of support. We have not put aside the 2019 German Grand Prix 2019 topic yet. Because it is in everyone’s interest that this race remains in the program.” – Sean Bratches explained, as reported by f1.co.uk
Organisers want to reduce the financial risk so they can at least break even, a distinct possibility as an estimated 71,000 fans passed through the turnstiles for the race on 22 July. However, time is running out for the venue to entrench itself on the 2019 schedule, while an agreement would allow organisers to trigger ticket sales for next years race should it be confirmed.
Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) press spokesman Malte Dringenberg told SID Agency that there was a positive meeting between the interested parties and Formula 1commercial rights holders Liberty Media during the race at Hockenheim last month.
Officials emerged from the get together claiming “certain confidence” that the race will happen and that reports of such are “not unfounded”.
Furthermore, both parties agreed that the financial terms to prevent a loss for the organisers is a distinct possibility, as Baden-Württember Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer also signalled his support for the project while the prospect of Mercedes throwing their weight behind efforts to retain their home race is also a possibility.
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