Sebastian Vettel has criticised what he sees as a money first approach to deciding which races join the Formula 1 calendar.
Last weekend saw one of the most action-packed events in years at the German Grand Prix, but it is unlikely Hockenheim will remain on the schedule for 2020.
This as new races in Vietnam and Holland make their debut/return in 2020 at the expected expense of two historic venues.
“I know the people here very well,” Vettel said referring to organisers at Hockenheim.
“They’re putting a lot of effort and passion [in] and they’re very keen on staying and having the Grand Prix here. It’s a great show but I don’t think they make any money.
“I think the way they [F1] string their business is based on how much people pay and then you get a Grand Prix. It’s important that we don’t lose certain Grands Prix, it’s irrelevant what they pay.
“F1 without Monza would be stupid,” he noted, with the Italian GP another still not 100% secure for 2020. “Losing big countries with a lot of history like Germany or Spain is wrong.
“It’s important to bring the sport where there’s passion for the sport – so keep countries like Germany in the calendar, the UK and all those iconic places. That would be my take on it.
“It’s more fun as well for us to drive in front of a lot of people rather than empty grandstands, even if they’re all equipped with new seats – useless when there’s nobody sitting on them.”
Also Read:
- Hockenheim thriller puts Liberty in a corner over German GP future
- Vettel: Mick Schumacher can give a ‘big boost’ to F1 in Germany if given time
This year’s race at Hockenheim wouldn’t have been possible without Mercedes stepping up as title sponsor, but Toto Wolff has already confirmed that arrangement was only a one-off.
“[The] deal came up pretty spontaneously,” Wolff told Autosport.
“We had a meeting on Sunday morning with Chase and Sean and they said, ‘Would you be able to help us [in] bridging the gap?’,” he revealed.
“In half an hour we bartered out a deal in order to make the German GP happen, but this is not something which we are in a position to continue.
“Also because I believe that we shouldn’t really be interfering in the business of Liberty and F1 – it is up to them to decide which tracks are on or off.”