The last time Formula 1 laid down the rubber was during the height of the pandemic in 2020. The Eifel Grand Prix was held around the notorious Nürburgring. Since this global pandemic has been washed away, Germany has not hosted a staging ground for the most glamourous motorsport ever devised.
Which creates a wave of sadness amongst the Formula 1 community. Let alone its German fans. The last time the German Grand Prix was struck off the Formula 1 calendar was in 2017. This was because the venue that was expected to host the Grand Prix, the Hockenheimring, the organisers were:
“reluctant to host the race in successive years for financial reasons despite it being a home event for dominant Mercedes and the new champion, Nico Rosberg.” According to The Guardian back in 2016.
Formula 1’s exposure in Germany has been mixed due to financial, sponsorship, and pandemic issues. 2018 and 2019 traversed around the Hockenheimring. In 2020, the late decision was made for Formula 1 to race around the Nürburgring in a bid to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. Thereby keeping the 2020 Formula 1 season predominantly European.
But what if Formula 1 set a course for Germany? What if we heard the famous line from David Croft “it’s light out and away we go” at the heart of central Europe? Either in Hockenheim or Nurburg? Where would we go, and what would look more appealing? Let’s find out…
Hockenheimring
Located in Hockenheim, Germany, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg hosted the German Grand Prix dating back to 1977. Ferrari’s Niki Lauda stole the show in his Ferrari 312T, over 14 seconds ahead of Jody Scheckter in his Wold Ford.
Since then, the small town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the city of Hockenheim, has become synonymous with motor racing, especially Formula thanks to its famous circuit, which has undergone many transformations since it was once a high-speed blast through a forest to an autodrome of the future.
Since 2002, the 13-turn circuit, four to the left and 11 to the right, has created a spectacle, unlike anything in Formula 1, laying the foundation as one of the oldest tracks to race around, with its history predating back to May 1932. Just two months after construction began and the first-ever motorcycle race around the Hockenheimring.
But what makes this 4.5-kilometre circuit hang in the balance is resting on its financial fate. This is due to its failure to host the 2017 Germany Grand Prix, which prevented its fans from opening their doors due to the pandemic. Even though it wasn’t scheduled on the original 2020 Formula 1 calendar, the organisers could have been more flexible and made a compromise to allow Formula 1 to race around the Hockenheimring in strict conditions. In the same way, the Eifel Grand Prix was managed with only 20,000 fans allowed in the grandstands.
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is home to the scariest track in the world, the Nordschleife. This track was removed from Formula 1 following the tragic accident in 1976. The driver we knew as Niki Lauda suffered severe burns on a track destined to be a true car breaker and was forced to make changes going forward if Formula 1 wanted to return to the Nürburgring.
In 1984, Formula 1 returned with a new edition to the Nürburgring. On May 12, a 4.5-kilometre circuit was integrated with the new Grand Prix circuit. For two, the circuit proved to be underperforming in terms of expectations. This made Formula 1 reconsider its venue for the German Grand Prix 1986, which was to be held at the Hockenheimring.
After those two years, Formula 1 would not return until 1995. The main reason? Safety concerns. Formula 1 has always tried to push the boundaries of speed and ferocity in on-track action, but with the Nurburgring and its tight and unforgiving Grand Prix, the FIA and the organisers still had concerns.
Putting its future into doubt. From 1996 onwards, Formula 1 has hosted the Nürburgring 16 times, including the 2020 season as a contingency. The contingency works in accordance with inviting fans back to the track under a strict viewership. Most importantly, the Formula 1 community would love to see the latest generation of Formula 1 technology traverse around the 15-turn circuit.
Will we The German Grand Prix Return?
According to many sources, Formula 1’s CEO Stefano Domenicalli has wanted to return to Germany as a priority for the near future. Unfortunately, Hockenheim circuit director Jorn Teske, as stated by GP Fans that:
“There was an initiative by Stefano Domenicali who wanted to make [a return of the German GP] a top priority and bring all parties to the table, nothing came of that.”
This means that the discussion has not borne any fruit. So, Formula 1’s return to central Europe may have dissipated instantly.
And what does that mean for the Nürburgring? Potentially, the same outcome is combined with safety concerns.
Unfortunately, we may not have the German Grand Prix return anytime soon.
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “The Uncertain Future of the ‘Honey Badger’ for 2025” or “Red Bull Racing: Does Sergio Perez Need To Be Sacked?”
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