Hockenheim slashes ticket prices for 2016 return

Hockenheim is wasting no time in trying to draw a healthy crowd to the 2016 German Grand Prix with special prices for youngsters and early bird offers.

Having declared two weeks ago that only “a full-house” would secure the event’s long-term existence, Hockenheim managing director Georg Seiler put his money where his mouth is by launching advance sales on Friday 31 July, i.e. exactly one year before the scheduled 2016 return.

“We are delighted to host another Formula One race in Germany after a year's break,” he said in a statement. “The signs for German fans in particular so far are very good.

“We are excited to welcome F1 and its incredible fans back to Hockenheim and are looking forward to a packed Motodrom next July.”

In accordance with the rotational contract it has with the Baden-Württemberg venue, the Nürburgring was initially scheduled to host this year’s German Grand Prix on July 17-19 but the race was eventually dropped because of financial difficulties.

This was the first time since 1960 that Formula One did not visit Germany, despite the nation boasting defending champions Mercedes, four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, 11-time grand prix winner Nico Rosberg, and Le Mans 24 Hours victor Nico Hulkenberg.

By reducing prices, Hockenheim hopes to emulate Silverstone’s resounding 2015 success. The Northamptonshire venue decided to release cheaper tickets before the season’s kick off and saw a crowd of 140,000 flock to the British Grand Prix.

By comparison, only 55,000 fans attended the 2014 German Grand Prix held at Hockenheim.

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