Last Updated on December 19 2025, 10:55 am
Is Formula 1 coming back to Germany? This is what Domenicali says – Formula 1 is growing rapidly around the world, with lots of events and a lot of interest from new and existing venues. But there is one major motorsport nation that is not there yet: Germany. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is not happy about this. He has said that he would like the German Grand Prix to return, but has also said what the conditions would need to be.
Why the German Grand Prix should return to Formula 1
The German Grand Prix is an important event in the history of international motorsport. It has been held regularly for more than 90 years. The first race took place in 1926, and it quickly became one of Europe’s most famous events. It was held at various locations before becoming a regular event at the Nürburgring and later the Hockenheimring. Germany was a regular competitor in the early years of the Formula One World Championship, with the Grand Prix race being held on the calendar from 1951 until it was slowly phased out in more recent times.
The race is most famous for the Nürburgring Nordschleife, a 20.8-kilometre circuit through the Eifel forests. It was given the nickname “The Green Hell” because it was so hard and unpredictable.
Drivers loved it, but it was also criticised more and more as Formula 1 cars got faster and safety standards got better. The big change happened after Niki Lauda’s near-fatal accident in 1976. This made people want to move away from the Nordschleife, and from 1977 the German Grand Prix was moved permanently to the Hockenheimring.
In the decades that followed, it became even more popular, especially during the time of Michael Schumacher. Germany hosted two Formula 1 races per season for a short time, and the grandstands at Hockenheim were full of spectators. This became a symbol of the championship in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Nürburgring (Grand Prix circuit only) and Hockenheim later took turns hosting the race, but rising costs and financial uncertainty meant that the race fell in and out of the calendar. The most recent German Grand Prix was held at Hockenheim in 2019.
F1 calendar crisis as races fall away and new promoters dry up
Domenicali: A good chance a Grand Prix will return to Germany
The Italian told Motorsport-Magazin.com that there is still a chance.
“I can see a few good things. Hopefully, this will develop further in the coming months,” Domenicali said, suggesting that talks are taking place behind the scenes.
Germany is not on the calendar because it does not have a lack of interest or motorsport heritage. Domenicali said that Germany is still one of the strongest economies in Europe and, in theory, should be able to host a Grand Prix. “Germany is not a country where you can’t find money,” he said. But this financial reality also shows the big problem.
Formula 1 is more popular and profitable than ever before. The fees that companies pay to host content online have increased a lot and now often reach well into the high tens of millions of euros. This is a big problem for traditional European circuits, especially the ones that aren’t supported by the government. Track operators often lose money, even if they sell a lot of tickets.
If there was no public money to help or a rich person to invest in the race, it would be very hard to make money from it. Domenicali admitted this, saying that being friendly is not enough to get a place on the calendar.
Wolff’s threat to restrict Mercedes engine supply examined
Don’t put pressure on Formula 1
Germany is an important market for Formula 1, but Domenicali says that the sport’s commercial model won’t change. “We want to go back to Germany, but only with the right person to organise it and the right offer,” he explained. At the same time, he emphasised how well-known Formula 1 is all over the world: “The good thing is that we’re not desperate because we’ve had so many enquiries from all over the world.”
This means that Formula 1 can be quite picky. Many countries and cities in the Middle East, Asia and North America have the money and support to host the F1 Grand Prix. In that situation, Germany must compete fairly.
Domenicali also said that the German market is ultimately responsible. “If the German market doesn’t think Formula 1 is a priority, we have to accept that and look to the future,” he said. Even so, he said that Formula 1 is still “ready and open to any kind of discussion”.
Ex-Ferrari boss labels Hamilton’s efforts at Ferrari reform as “useless”
Questions about the infrastructure and the audience
As well as money, Domenicali said there were also problems with the way the team is organised. He thinks that the “current infrastructure in Germany” would need a lot of investment to meet the modern standards of Formula 1. This includes things like the stadium, the digital systems and the experience for the fans.
It’s also important to understand the target audience. Domenicali used the season finale in Abu Dhabi as an example, where more than 10,000 paying guests went to the Paddock Club alone. The premium hospitality sector is now a very important source of income for Formula 1. If Germany wants to host a race, it needs to show that it has a good plan to attract both high-end customers and traditional fans.
Domenicali’s expectations are clear. A possible promoter must present a “serious proposal” that looks at whether the idea will make money and what it will be like in the long-term.
Ferrari boss given to the summer of 2026
A history to be proud of, but a future that is uncertain
Germany has played a central role in Formula 1’s history. During Michael Schumacher’s most successful years, Germany even hosted two races per season at times, alternating between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. Hockenheim was last a regular fixture in 2019, while the Nürburgring returned briefly in 2020 as a stopgap solution during the pandemic.
Since then, Germany has not been included in the calendar. Whether that changes will depend on whether the country can adapt to the modern realities of Formula 1, and not on nostalgia.
FIA confirms names for new technology
NEXT ARTICLE – Dr Helmut Marko: The Gaffes, Fallouts and Ruthless Calls That Defined Red Bull’s Wild Era
Dr. Helmut Marko’s gaffes explored – Formula One is becoming ever more of a slick corporate operation. The drivers are media savvy and gone are the days when after a poor time on track, one competitor would come out and lambast their rival.
For Oscar Piastri there were moments when it looked as though his PR training would be forgotten when he stood alone and forlorn after a ten second penalty at there British Grand Prix.
The Aussie’s heart felt radio message in Qatar after realising McLaren had made a huge strategic mistake, “I have no words” said the desperate Australian. Yet one individual remained in Formula One who was unfiltered and outspoken in Dr. Helmut Marko.
Marko tells drivers to ‘get Covid’
The Austrian has recently claimed his role was to be the eyes and ears observing the Red Bull F1 operations but in reality he was a maverick who wandered the paddock saying what he pleased to all and sundry.
Team bosses and the drivers all have a PR lack glued to their trouser legs whenever they are saying anything which could be reported in the media. Not Dr. Marko. In fact Red Bull would discover what the Austrian had been blabbing about after it had been published.
Despite all his foibles, Marko will be missed by the media in particular, given Helmut had a penchant for saying completely the wrong thing at the wrong time. In 2020 he was reported as having the belief that Red Bull’s drivers should try to get infected with the Covid-19 virus before the start of the season so they could quickly recover and develop immunity.
At the time the extent of harm Covid could do was largely unknown, but as the killer nature virus became more obvious, Marko’s words were deemed highly insensitive. Such was the furore, Christian Horner was forced to downplay the incident, describing it as…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Stanton is a London-based journalist specialising in sports business and sponsorship. With a degree in economics and years reporting for business-focused publications, Stanton translates F1’s complex financial world into clear, compelling narratives.
