Confirmed: No Hockenheimring F1 race in 2020

Despite having been rumoured as a contender to host an F1 race in 2020, the Hockenheimring have confirmed this will not be the case.

So far 10 rounds have been finalised for 2020 with the Russian Grand Prix from 25-27 September currently serving as the last confirmed event.

That schedule has been padded out by extra rounds at the Red Bull Ring and Silverstone, whilst Mugello will also make a guest appearance in September to host the Tuscan Grand Prix.

And although Germany is set to get a spot on the revamped calendar, the event won’t be staged at the Hockenheimring which most recently hosted the German Grand Prix until it was dropped after the 2019 season.

Speaking to RaceFans.net, Hockenheimring general manager Jorn Teske said: “We can confirm that in 2020 no Formula 1 race will take place at the Hockenheimring and we are also aware that Liberty Media has been in contact with the Nurburgring.

“However we are unable to state what level the negotiations [with the Nurburgring] are at.”

Teske confirmed that the two major stumbling blocks were the lack of financial incentives for hosting a World Championship round, as well as the restrictions currently in place in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

“Since the beginning we have played totally open cards. In other words, we have regularly stated that we are unable to stage a race if there are any financial disadvantages,” he said.

“In the present crisis during which we have lost millions due to Corona it would be irresponsible towards the company and our employees to do anything else.

“We have made clear that we also need to adhere to the Corona regulations of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg and therefore we cannot stage an event with spectators. This is not a federal-wide ruling and this could be a major reason for any decision taken by Formula 1.

“During the last weeks we have remained flexible and have engaged [with Formula 1] but in the end it was clear that it was not viable as the requirements for a race within Germany are different [from state to state]. For the Hockenheimring the most important thing is to ensure that we can emerge from the crisis in a stable condition.”

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