There will be no German Grand Prix in 2015 after the World Motor Sport Council officially confirmed promoters had not been able to reach an agreement over holding the event at the Hockenheimring.
The event has been under threat for some months after the Hockenheimring’s new owners struggled to come to- terms with the commercial rights holders over the hosting an event in 2015.
The Hockenheimring was put in this position after the original host for the event – the Nurburgring – confirmed in late 2014 that it would not be able to commit to an grand prix in 2015 having shared the event with its counterpart in an annual rotation system.
Though it isn’t clear whether the Hockenheimring will take up its place on the 2016 F1 calendar as would have been originally planned, it will now certainly not take place in 2015.
It means 2015 will be the first year there hasn’t been an F1 race held in Germany since 1960. Indeed, though it remains a critical market for manufacturers – most notably the currently dominant Mercedes -, the race has come into scrutiny for falling audience figures despite the success of Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg.
It also means the calendar has been reduced back to 19 events, with the Hungarian Grand Prix now a standalone event on 24-26 July. Germany’s demise means just eight rounds will take place in Europe.
-via Crash.net