News - No German Grand Prix in 2015

During the last few months, there was a big controversy about 2015 Formula One calendar, especially about 2015 German Grand Prix. The dispute between F1 management (Bernie Ecclestone) and Nürburgring and Hockenheimring race organisers is resulting a cancellation of this year’s Formula One race in Germany. This sad moment is also a very odd since the Germany, as one one of the most prominent motorsport nations in the world, did not miss the F1 race since 1960.

But what is the problem? Apparently, it looks that the main and only reason is the money. In 2008 the Nürburgring and the Hockenheimring management signed a event-sharing agreement according which Nürburgring will organize F1 event one year and Hockenheimring the year after. Since the Nürburgring held the race in 2013 it should do that in 2015. However, in 2014 Nürburgring track changed owners after a long period of financial problems and in the end it was bought by Russian billionaire Viktor Kharitonin. The Formula One management approached the new owner about plans for 2015 German Grand Prix race however, the financial plan, the fees and the percentages did not satisfy both sides and the and the deal fell through. Shortly after, the Hockenheimring organizers were asked to step in and cover for the Nürburgring in 2015 calendar but that deal also was doomed since the Hockenheimring management realized that the valuable time has been lost and there is no way that the late ticket sales could cover the vast expenses of organizing an F1 race. So, after the string of unfortunate events, the Germany for the first time in 55 years will not have a Grand Prix race.

In further analysis of the situation, we can not blame the the Nürburgring and the Hockenheimring management for making such tough decisions and cancel the races, because the financial plans that was proposed to them was probably very bad one. Apparently, it was the Formula One and Bernie Ecclestone that asked too much from organizers and not wanting to reconsider their terms. That kind of stubborn behavior from Formula One management resulted in controversial decision that will leave millions of fans without one of their favorite races, without lucrative TV coverage and will hurt the 2015 Formula One season in general. It will also deeply effect the Formula One fan base, the global popularity of the sport, the contracts with sponsors, the teams and the drivers which is very bad, but now, unfortunately, there is no time to change this situation.