Anyone been to Hockenheim for the GP?

I would wait for next year's schedule to be finalized first...

 

Nuerburgring is bankrupt, so chances are very good it will be in Hockenheim.

I've been there for my first ever F1 race back when Jody clinched the title. Obviously they changed the track since, but I have also been back to the track (without a race) since.

So here a few comments:

- the stadium atmosphere of the Motodrom is absolutely fantastic, seats are great anywhere
- everything is very organized, comparable to Indy
- there is a nice museum right next to the main entrance, definitely worth a visit, check out some older F1 cars and the "hand prints" of F1 drivers in concrete
- getting to the track is a problem, expect a traffic jam as the track sits in the middle of nowhere (like Silverstone)
- stay in one of the German towns nearby, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe or Stuttgart

- while in the area you MUST visit this place:
http://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/en

Fantastic museum with a terrific collection of exotics (incl. Ferraris) and F1 cars. Also has a sister museum, which is also worth visiting.

- of course there is the newly redone Porsche museum in Stuttgart as well as the stunning Mercedes museum, both incredible buildings and collections
- and for the fans of yesteryear, you could drive a lap with your rental car on the German F1 "track" Solitude back from the sixties, today all public roads (if interested I can send you a map etc)

 

That is a big question because the Hockenheimring GmBH was always near bankruptcy as well and that's why they agreed to alternate the race with Nuerburgring.

My speculation is, that Hockenheim might come to an arrangement with another track "nearby", be that Spa or one in France. I doubt they can go it alone.

That said, at some point Bernie will croak and that's probably when all these track deals will be renegotiated. Whoever takes over might not be asking for as much money from the organizers anymore and not pocket as much him/her-self so the payout to the teams might remain more or less constant.

 

Actually, the Hockenheimring is making a lot of money over the year, and then comes F1 and drags it into the red numbers. Some years ago the mayor of Hockenheim said F*** you, lower your fees, we don't need F1 -> suddenly lower fees were possible. From that standpoint, I wouldn't be surprised if Bernie agreed on keeping Hockenheim on the schedule every year without more money.

 

Wife and I attended the race at Hock in 2010. Stayed in Speyer, nearby city, 10 minutes from track. Had tix in the mercedes grandstand, i recommend that area, to stay out of the elements (weather) but do not select seats towards the back of that grandstand since the noise is excruciating, even with ear plugs. the sound bounces off the rear wall and ceiling and is BAD. crowd and crowd control were orderly, no issues.

We are thinking about Spa next...

 

Went there in 2010, stayed in Heidelberg, track is about 20 minutes from there, great town.