Hockenheim is seemingly out of the 2020 F1 running as news around Nurburgring picks up steam amid the COVID-19 pandemic shuffling.
For months, Hockenheim was talked upon as a possible venue to make a return to the 2020 F1 calendar amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where F1 has been forced to race only in Europe. So far, only Russia, has been confirmed as a flyaway event.
Reports of China getting cancelled is already doing rounds while the situation in USA and Brazil looks grim. The latter has been positive about hosting a F1 round along with Mexico and Canada, but it remains to be seen if it can be a reality or not.
On the other hand in Asia, Vietnam seems to be the only one ready to host but it is not clear if they can or want to stage two rounds in a space of six months, considering the time it takes for a street F1 circuit to be readied and dismantled.
Amid all this, a round in Malaysia is also doing rounds along with a return of Nurburgring, which last hosted in 2013 when it had an alternate agreement with Hockenheim. It could replace the latter, which has seemingly pulled out as per new report.
“We always tried to find a solution,” said Jorn Teske to DPA Germany. “However, we have always kept to our stipulation that we should not be left sitting at the expense. In the end, we didn’t get together. With the regulations in Baden-Wurttemberg, this is not feasible.”
Despite talks with F1, Hockenheim wanted a quicker solution and a confirmed date but they have been kept on standby for long. Also, Sky DE adds that Formula 1 was looking for some fans to attend, which is not possible due to the Government’s regulations.
The news about Hockenheim gave light to Nurburgring – the news which has been reported by both Racefans.net and Motorsport-Magazin.com so far. The spokesperson has noted about talks with F1 but added that it is not new as they have been in touch since 2013.
The current discussion is for another triple-header towards the end of September and start of October post the Russian GP. The idea talked upon is to have F1 races in Germany, Italy (likely Imola) and Portugal (Portimao), to make it 13 events.
Considering the above three is fixed and that there are no races in America and Asia, F1 can still reach its target of 15-16 rounds as Bahrain is talked upon to stage two, while Abu Dhabi can be the finale to make it a total of 16 events in 2020.
Amid these stories, there was a question mark put on Spanish GP, where COVID-19 cases are rising again. AMuS put out a story to state a third round in Silverstone could be the case but Motorsport Network quoted the Barcelona organisers, saying there is no change.
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