Hockenheim requests government assistance

Hockenheim has asked the German government to intervene to secure the future of Formula 1 at this circuit.

The German circuit will not host a race next season due to alternating with the Nurburgring. The next appointment for Hockenheim is therefore set for 2010.

But with a loss in 2008 estimated at six million euros, the locality, the Baden-Württemberg region, and the state have stated that they can no longer provide financial support.

The representatives of local governments met with stakeholders in Stuttgart to try to reach an agreement. Other meetings will take place at the beginning of the week. The final decision for the future of the circuit will be made in March.

But Karl-Josef Schmidt, CEO of Hockenheim GMBH, the company that operates the circuit, told the German press agency DPA that the circuit needs help from national governments.

The Formula 1 race is a major event, something like a World Cup of football. The federal government must do something, said Schmidt.

« We have a deadline of a few months until the end of March 2009. A financial package must be put in place by then, or there will no longer be Formula 1 in Hockenheim. »

Schmidt remains optimistic, especially after last week’s meeting in Stuttgart, which brought some good news.

« Everyone who was present showed a great interest in preserving the race, » he concluded.