Racing event of Formula 1 in Germany on hold since 2020; Formula 1 leader showcases openness for negotiations
In the world of Formula 1 racing, Germany, a traditional powerhouse market, is currently absent from the 2026 calendar. Despite this, there is some progress and hope towards hosting a Grand Prix in Germany in the future.
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, a confidant of record champion Michael Schumacher and a former Ferrari team principal, has expressed his desire to bring the German GP back. Domenicali has left the door open for negotiations, signaling willingness from F1 management to engage if Germany makes a call.
However, the German tracks that meet F1’s standards, such as the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring, have expressed caution about hosting a race due to financial risks. The high entry fee, around 35.5 million euros, is reportedly not refinanciable in Germany, posing a significant barrier. As a result, the Hockenheimring and Nürburgring are currently missing from the Formula 1 calendar for 2026.
Domenicali is open to talks about hosting a Grand Prix in Germany, but he has stated that time is pressing for any potential negotiations. He also mentioned that there are many companies and countries interested in hosting a Formula 1 race, suggesting a long waiting list of interested parties.
Despite the absence of a German GP, Formula 1 is experiencing a boom worldwide. The upcoming F1 technical regulations emphasizing electrification, combined with the presence of German manufacturers Audi and Mercedes, may eventually create institutional support incentives for bringing F1 back to Germany.
However, Germany has slipped in priority on the F1 calendar, which is currently saturated with new races globally and does not include a German GP for 2025 or the near future. The last World Championship race in Hockenheim was held in 2019, sponsored by Mercedes, and the last Formula 1 race in Germany was a replacement event due to the corona pandemic in 2020 at the Nürburgring.
In summary, while Formula 1 leadership and some stakeholders are interested, there is currently no concrete commitment or imminent return of a German Grand Prix. Financial and organizational hurdles remain significant, but Domenicali’s openness implies potential future progress if German promoters and authorities step forward.
