Sebastian Vettel is concerned this weekend’s German Grand Prix will be the last “for a while” as the race will not be on the 2019 F1 calendar.
The race promoters have not yet agreed terms with Formula 1 to extend their deal beyond this year’s event.
“I’m afraid that this is probably the last time [racing in Germany] for a while as far as I understand,” said Vettel in today’s FIA press conference. “Which would be a shame to lose one of the classic races.“I’m literally from here, it’s just half an hour away where I was born and grew up. The area certainly means a lot to me and will be great to have a good weekend.”
Vettel suspects Germany’s disappearance from the F1 calendar is “probably to do with the fact that other countries generally have to pay money to get a grand prix.
“Other nations are prepared to pay money, fund the grand prix, I think that’s where the main problem is Germany’s not ready to spend money on having the grand prix to advertise Formula 1, advertising racing, advertise Germany to attract people coming here.”
Nico Hulkenberg, the only other German driver competing in this weekend’s race, suspects German fans have grown too accustomed to their teams and drivers winning all the time.
“Of course it would be a big shame [to lose the race]. Germany being the car nation that we are and not have a grand prix would be disappointing and sad.
“I guess it comes down to commercial questions, simple as that. Germany has obviously a very big history in racing, in Formula 1 in particular. Maybe the nation is a little bit full or tired of racing, I don’t know. But we’ve always been around for decades with Michael [Schumacher], with Mercedes, with Seb, with Nico [Rosberg] before.
“I think Germans are a bit spoilt when it comes to that because we’ve always been successful, we’ve always been around and I don’t know if it’s an effect of that. I think ultimately it’s the commercial aspects that play the biggest part.
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gus maia
19th July 2018, 15:28
That’s what I was talking about in a previous post (reduce F1 calendar).
Yes one can find a few new cities/countries willing to spend new money to pay the price Liberty is calling for.
But for some venues – mostly the classics – there is no point in joining the auction.
As saw, new venues usually fall off after a 5-10 years, and F1 will have to return to classics – without the hefty price tag.
Vettel fan 17 (@)
19th July 2018, 15:33
I can’t see any more grand prix in Germany for at least four to five years, which is a shame, they have two good tracks, especially the new Nurburgring, it has produced good racing
Joao (@johnmilk)
19th July 2018, 17:01
Lets be serious for a moment and talk about what really matters. Long questions guy is back!
Jere (@jerejj)
19th July 2018, 18:10
@johnmilk ”Gentleman, a short view back to the past, 30 years ago, Niki Lauda told us, take trained monkey, place him into the cockpit and he’s able to drive the car, 30 years later Sebastian told us; I had to start my car like a computer it’s very complicated, and Nico Rosberg said; He pressed during the race, I don’t remember what race, the wrong button on the wheel, question for you two both, is Formula 1 driving today too complicated with 20 and more buttons, on the wheel, are you too much under effort under pressure what are your wishes for the future concerning the technical program during the race, less buttons more or less and more communication with your engineers.”
– His questions are legendary, LOL. I find it difficult to choose which is funnier: His questions, a certain British celebrity chefs insults, or Alonso’s team radio messages.
Joao (@johnmilk)
19th July 2018, 18:40
That’s the one, what a legend
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
19th July 2018, 18:09
It’s interesting to see Germany could be missing out on a Grand Prix because no one can justify the expense, yet all around the world there’s swathes of F1 fans who already know they won’t be watching the GP this weekend because it’s too expensive.
Gemma St. Ivans
20th July 2018, 5:48
Too bad, Germany has produced the best drivers, impeccable engineering and some of the best road cars ever produced.