Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has declared that Germany “belongs to F1”, and is offering the country talks about a potential return to the Grand Prix calendar.
Germany has not staged an F1 race since the Covid-affected campaign of 2020, billed as the Eifel Grand Prix, at the Nurburgring.
Prior to that, the event had only been absent from the calendar on four occasions since F1’s inception in 1950, often alternating between the Nurburgring and Hockenheim.
Despite Germany taking a third of F1’s World Championships over the last 15 years – via Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg – the appetite for F1 appears to have dwindled.
Coupled with financial problems for both its famed circuits, supposed falls in TV ratings have rendered the German Grand Prix an event that is logically not viable for the calendar.
There may, of course, be a potential inroad back, with Audi set to make its F1 debut next year, boasting one of its own in veteran Nico Hulkenberg as one of its drivers.
And Domenicali, speaking to Sport BILD, believes Germany is a viable option, and is prepared to speak to the relevant people concerned.
“Money is of secondary importance for now,” he said. “The first thing is to know who to talk to at all. We are ready for talks.
“Germany is Germany and belongs to Formula 1. So if someone is seriously interested, they will find a way to contact me.”
Domenicali warns Germany that ‘time is running out’
Despite the F1 calendar growing to 24 races per-year, competition is now hotter than ever when it comes to countries securing a place on it.
With a plethora of new markets being exploited, such as America occupying three slots on the calendar, Europe’s places on the schedule are precious.
The new Madrid Grand Prix is set to debut next year on a brand-new street circuit, but comes at a price of the disappearance of the famed Imola venue.
And if Germany wishes to explore the possibility of a return, it would have to join a queue of other willing hosts, such as Turkey and Portugal, both of which have recently expressed interest in hosting a Grand Prix again.
“Time is running out,” Domenicali warned. “There is a long waiting list of companies and even countries, with their prime ministers and kings, who absolutely want a race.”
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