Question Marks Over German GP Future Remain

The German Grand Prix returns this year after being absent in 2017, but Hockenheim CEO Georg Seiler has said that there's no deal that extends beyond this year. 

Alongside the French Grand Prix returning after a 10-year absence, the Formula One circus will also be travelling to Hockenheim again after skipping it last year, bolsteting the F1-calendar to 21 races.

Hockenheim's current deal, made with Bernie Ecclestone back in 2007, agreed that the Nürburgring and Hockenheim would alternate each year in hosting the German Grand Prix. The reason that there wasn't a German GP in 2015 and 2017 is because the Nürburgring, who was supposed to host in those years, had to back out due to financial reasons.

As previously stated, the current deal expires this year, and Hockenheim CEO Georg Seiler says no serious conversations have been had so far for a new deal.

“The contract is over in 2018,” he told MotorsportMagazin.com. "“We’ve met with the new owners and talked, because we have to carry out the 2018 GP. It is well known that there are going to be talks about what the future will look like in the foreseeable future, but no serious discussions have taken place yet."

“In the next few months negotiations must be properly carried out. Unfortunately, I cannot say yet whether things will continue in a positive way. I can only say that we strive to continue to keep Formula 1 in Germany. But there are many factors involved."

“With us it remains that we do not want to take economic risks and will not do so. We do our best, but we cannot guarantee anything.”