German motorsports fans "will have to come to terms with that fact that F1 is not coming to the country in '17," according to the SID. Hockenheimring Managing Dir Georg Seiler: "2017 would be the Nürburgring's turn. I don't know what the current state of the negotiations is. We could only jump in if we can rule out any risk whatsoever." Seiler explained his defensive stance was due to economic reasons. Seiler said that in order to execute such a project, ticket sales "would have to increase." He added that Hockenheim "wants to fulfill its contract until '18," without giving any indication about a potential extension. For this year's German Grand Prix, organizers have sold 46,000 tickets. Seiler said that he is hoping for at least 60,000 in attendance. Two years ago, the race attracted only 52,000 spectators. In Michael Schumacher's heyday, the event regularly attracted more than 100,000 fans. F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone previously said that there is close to zero chance that the Nürburgring would host the event next year (SID, 6/28).
