Officials at Hockenheim say they cannot wait indefinitely for Formula 1 to make a decision on whether its venue is wanted for a grand prix in the 2020 campaign.
Hockenheim has hosted 37 grands prix but dropped off the Formula 1 schedule after the 2019 season as it made way for Zandvoort and Hanoi.
However the coronavirus pandemic has caused widespread disruption, with seven grands prix already cancelled, and several other events postponed.
Formula 1 remains optimistic of concluding its season in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, with December 13 pencilled in for the finale, and is holding out hope of competing in Russia and China.
But holding further events in Europe, after the Italian Grand Prix on September 6, is also under consideration.
Mugello and Portimao, which have never held grands prix, are in contention, along with former San Marino Grand Prix venue Imola, where Formula 1 last raced in 2006.
Hockenheim is also in contention but officials are conscious of needing to organise other events at the venue, with NASCAR Euro Series (16-18 October) and DTM (6-8 November) already confirming new dates.
“Whether after the eight races officially published, the season being continued in Europe is currently only speculation – likewise, whether such a race would then take place here at the Hockenheimring,” the circuit’s Managing Directors Jorn Teske and Jochen Nerpel said on Monday.
“Of course we’d be happy to check the feasibility of such an event if we receive an enquiry, but it’s clear that the chances of this happening don’t necessarily increase as time goes on.
“After all, our priority is to achieve the highest possible economic utilisation of our race track and, to this extent, we cannot keep any unconfirmed dates for Formula 1 available for several weeks.”
Hockenheim was previously the leading candidate to replace Silverstone when the British round appeared in doubt over government quarantine rules.
But Silverstone’s double-header was given the green light and confirmed on the revised Formula 1 schedule release earlier this month.
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