Hockenheim Cools German GP Talk: 'No New Prospects'

Germany builds the engines, supplies the teams and fills the grandstands abroad. It still has no Grand Prix, and nobody involved sounds close to fixing that.

A return of the German GP is back on Formula 1's radar, although both Hockenheim and the Nurburgring are playing down any suggestion that a deal is imminent.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently said Hockenheim could return "in the medium term", although he also warned that further investment would be required.

Why does Steiner think Germany deserves a race?

Former Haas boss Gunther Steiner says Germany's absence is increasingly difficult to justify.

"There should be a long-term plan for Formula 1 to be in Germany," he told RND.

"You know the country. If you put your mind to it, it will turn out well. And I hope that happens."

Steiner pointed to Mercedes, Audi and Germany's wider automotive industry. Two manufacturers on the grid and no home race is an awkward look for a sport selling itself on manufacturer relevance.

"It is disappointing that the nation is not part of the racing series. But I don't believe it will happen in the short term."

"It will have to be properly built up so that the Grand Prix returns here."

What does Hockenheim actually say?

Considerably less than the headlines suggest. Managing director Jorn Teske told SID that talks with Formula 1 are continuing, but nothing concrete has emerged.

"As we have repeatedly emphasised in recent years, we are in regular contact with Formula 1."

"At this time, we cannot report any new concrete results or prospects."

Regular contact is not a contract. It is the same position Hockenheim has held for years.

Is the Nurburgring an alternative?

Not soon. Managing director Christian Stephani says the circuit is already "fully booked for the upcoming season", which rules out any quick switch to the Eifel.

So what would it actually take?

Three things, and none of them are in place. Investment in the circuit, a promoter willing to carry the fee, and a free slot on a calendar that keeps growing in other directions.

Formula 1 has spent recent years adding races in markets that pay handsomely, and Domenicali has already confirmed Portugal and Turkey for 2027. Every returning European venue makes the next one harder to fit in.

Germany remains a story about willingness rather than interest. The interest has never gone away. The money and the calendar space still have not arrived.

Related: Hockenheim & Domenicali open door to German GP return

About the author

Leopold

Leopold Pleijsier founded F1-Fansite.com in 2001 and has followed Formula 1 since the early 1980s. He writes about daily F1 news, race weekends, drivers and the sport’s history.

Related topics