Germany wants to organize a Grand Prix again. The Formula 1 has not set foot on German soil since 2020, when it was held in nurburgring the so-called Eifel Grand Prixalthough it has not been officially part of the calendar since 2019, since that race was a patch to complete the World Cup after the pandemic.
Three years later, taking advantage of the enormous growth that Formula 1 is having and the announcement of the arrival of Audithose responsible for the circuit of Hockenheim They have made public their interest in recovering a historic grand prize.
“We really want Formula 1 to return to Germany. We know how important the pinnacle of motorsport is for a race track and also for the entire region,” said Jorn Teske, Hockenheim Circuit Director.
However, the economic question plays against Hockenheimsince they stopped organizing the grand prix in 2019 due to the losses it generated for the circuit, and now the fees charged by Formula 1, far from decreasing, have skyrocketed.
“We know we owe our global reputation to Formula 1 and we are doing everything we can to make sure it returns, but we stand by our view that a Formula 1 race shouldn’t ruin us economically”, explained Teske.
The head of the racetrack assures that he is not even looking to earn money with the grand prize, but would be satisfied with not losing it: “We have already said in the past that It’s not just about making a lot of money from Formula 1, we just don’t want to lose it.“.
“If we find ways to ensure that, or if someone can take that risk away from us, then there’s nothing stopping us from continuing to work out the details. But if, as in the past, you pay a higher rate that can barely be refinanced with the down payments and accessory sales, does not seem realistic to us”, he assured.
Thus, Teske proposes to rotate in the calendar to continue linked to Formula 1 by halving the costs: “I think it’s a very good idea to have an alternate solution. I can understand that Formula 1 wants variety in the race calendar. On the other hand, we would only tie up the huge resources needed to hold a Formula 1 race every two years. However, we would still retain the image and status of a Formula 1 race track.”
If this rotation occurs, Hockenheim would alternate with Nürburgring, the other German historical route, although its economic situation is even more delicate. Even so, Jorn Teske has launched the proposal: “If there was a rotation of the two German tracks, that is, together with the colleagues from the Nürburgring, it would be good for the German fans and for me too.”
Both circuits already alternated in the organization of the German Grand Prix between 2008 and 2013, when the Nürburgring withdrew from the agreement due to financial problems.
Hockenheim has given rise to historic moments in the championship, such as the Sebastian Vettel accident in 2018 or the famous “Fernando is faster than you”, With which Ferrari He asked Felipe Massa to cede leadership to Fernando Alonso in 2010.
If this return occurs, Formula 1 would recover a historic grand prix, although in no case will it be produced before 2026.
