Hockenheim pulls out of staging F1 in 2020

Hockenheimring officials have withdrawn its circuit from Formula 1's shortlist for staging a grand prix this season.

The German venue held lengthy talks with F1 about a possible race in October, but has been forced to pull out of the running due to the control on spectator numbers, and as a consequence, for financial reasons.

The first eight grands prix of this season are all behind-closed-doors, although there is hope from the ninth race at Mugello onwards in mid-September that a limited number of fans could be admitted.

With F1 unable to offer any guarantees on spectator figures, and in light of the current restrictions in place in the German state of Baden-Württemburg, Hockenheim has opted to end negotiations.

"We can confirm there will be no Formula 1 race at the Hockenheimring in 2020," managing director Jorn Teske told GPFans.

"We have played with our cards on the table right from the beginning of the talks.

"We have always made the point, and Formula 1 has been fully understanding, that we can only organise a race if it does not result in any financial disadvantage to us compared to normal track operations.

"In these times of crisis, in which we have had to deal with millions of Euros losses due to the coronavirus, anything else is simply irresponsible to the company, its employees and shareholders."

With regard to the measures in place in the region in which Hockenheim is located, Teske added: "On the other hand, we have also made it clear that we must, of course, comply with the coronavirus regulations of the state of Baden-Württemberg and, therefore, cannot seriously envisage an event with spectators at present.

"This is not uniformly regulated nationwide due to the federal system and it could have been an important aspect of the decision-making process of those responsible for F1.

"Over the past few weeks, we have shown ourselves to be both flexible and committed, and in the end, commitment and willingness have not been enough since the basic requirements for a race in Germany are obviously so different.

"In the end, the most important thing for us is to keep an eye on our business and do everything we can to come out of this crisis in a stable manner."

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