The “phones have been running hot” ahead of the German grand prix, according to Hockenheim boss Georg Seiler. That is because, before Germany’s shocking 7-1 victory over Brazil in the recent world cup semi-final, the circuit was offering a bigger ticket discount every time the national team scored a goal. “You can’t even imagine it,” Seiler smiled, “but I was pleased with every goal anyway. It’s nice when we can do something good for the formula one fans,” he told SID news agency.
Seiler said he is expecting a crowd of about 55,000 on Sunday. It is F1’s first visit to the Hockenheim since 2012, as per the alternating scheme with the Nurburgring. But it might be one of the last at Hockenheim, after Bernie Ecclestone revealed he has been negotiating exclusively with the Nurburgring regarding 2015 and beyond. An earlier-furious Seiler says he now has “nothing new” to report about that, except to reveal that he will have “confidential discussions” with the F1 supremo this weekend.