Schumacher: "The German motorsport has abolished itself" - Germany's Formula 1 crisis deepens as young talent flees abroad
Germany's motorsport future looks uncertain, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. He warns that the country may not produce another F1 driver for years. The decline follows ongoing challenges in youth development and rising costs for aspiring racers.
The last German Grand Prix took place in 2020 at the Nürburgring. Since then, no major improvements have been made to the country's motorsport infrastructure. Strict environmental rules have made it harder to build or keep karting tracks open.
Young German drivers now face steep financial hurdles. Moving from Formula 3 to Formula 2 and then to F1 costs around €15 million. Tim Tramnitz, a talented prospect, recently left single-seaters because of these expenses. Many wealthy karting talents train in Italy instead, where tracks are more accessible.
Ralf Schumacher blames the system for falling apart. He points to a lack of support for young drivers and dwindling opportunities at home. Today, Nico Hülkenberg remains the only German full-time driver in Formula 1.
Without changes to karting permits or better funding, Germany's F1 pipeline could stay dry. The cost of progression and limited local training options push young racers abroad. For now, the country's presence in the sport relies on a single driver.
