Hockenheim Future to Be Decided on Wednesday

Hockenheim is another Formula One venue that may very well be scrapped from the series' schedule starting 2010, due to their lack of financial backing. As announced by the circuit's officials earlier this year, hosting a multi-million euro loss German Grand Prix does not fit into the venue's plans for the future.

Until a financial agreement is reached – either with a potential investor or with the German government – Hockenheim is on its way to leaving the Great Circle next year. A final meeting to safeguard its F1 presence is believed to take place on Wednesday, when Hockenheim boss Karl Josef Schmidt is to discuss a solution with state prime minister Gunther Oettinger.

“If a prime minister sits down to talk, then it is not just for fun,” said an optimistic Schmidt, according to SID news agency.

In addition, it seems Oettinger is also to have a private meeting with Formula One Management owner Bernie Ecclestone, to discuss the options Hockenheim has for the future. Should it continue to be included in the F1 schedule once every two years, a compromise seems easier to be reached. It was the same Schmidt to confirm it, while also pointing out that the organizers need approximately one year to set up the circuit for an F1 event.

“Ecclestone knows that the prime minister wants to speak with him,” confirmed Schmidt for the aforementioned source.

However, a future meeting with Ecclestone could depend on the outcome of the Wednesday meeting, which Schmidt considers “crucial” for the survival of Hockenheim. If a compromise is not reached, the German track will join Magny Cours and Silverstone as the three historical venues to be left out of the F1 calendar due to financial difficulties next year.