No German GP sellout yet despite Schumacher factor

July’s German grand prix is not yet sold out, despite the Hockenheim race being held for the first time in two years.

Moreover, Michael Schumacher has made his return from three years of retirement, while there are five other German drivers on the 2010 grid.

In the Barcelona paddock, it was announced by track boss Georg Seiler that 55,000 tickets for race-day Sunday have been sold to date.

But he is quoted by the German news agency SID as confirming that ticket sales did increase in the wake of Schumacher’s decision to return, meaning that the event should break even in 2010.

In 2008, 62,000 spectators attended the Hockenheim race.

But a capacity crowd would be 75,000, and Seiler revealed that 120,000 tickets could be sold if temporary grandstands are erected.

“We hope Schumacher starts to win races.  Then with six German drivers we would be looking at a full house — anything else would be incomprehensible,” he admitted.

© RIF|GMM