Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali - Photo: Race Pictures

Hope for Hockenheim or Nürburgring as Domenicali talks German GP comeback

13:18, 22 Dec

Updated: 14:41, 22 Dec

1 Comments

byTobia Elia

F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali has spoken about the possibility of the German Grand Prix returning to the calendar.

"The German market is very important. I said that from the beginning"

- Stefano Domenicali

The last time the German Grand Prix featured on the Formula 1 calendar was in 2019 at the historic Hockenheimring, before Germany made a brief return in 2020 during the height of the pandemic with the Eifel Grand Prix, held at the Nurburgring.

Since then, Germany has disappeared from the Formula 1 calendar, and a return — at least for now — is far from guaranteed, despite the country’s rich history in the sport.

"The German market is very important. I said that from the beginning. We have many partners and manufacturers," Domenicali told Motorsport Magazin. "It is true that we have experienced a change in recent decades: from one of the most popular sports to something that is no longer considered by many interest groups."

Last German GP held in F1 in 2019 - Photo: Race Pictures

The Italian also made it clear that until the German market starts viewing Formula 1 as a priority, no real progress can be made on the matter: "The good thing is that we are not desperate because we have so many requests from all over the world. And if the German market doesn't see the return of Formula 1 to Germany as a priority, we have to accept that and look ahead."

Even so, Stefano Domenicali said he remains open to listening should any proposals come forward: "We are ready and open to any kind of talks. I see a few signs of a silver lining on the horizon. Hopefully, this will continue to develop over the next few months."

More recently, Germany has found itself back in the motorsport spotlight thanks to Max Verstappen’s participation in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS), the renowned German championship that races on the legendary Nordschleife — better known as the Green Hell.

F1 hopes of return to Africa take shape with fresh Rwanda Government update

The head of the Rwanda Development Board has revealed that discussions over a potential return of Formula One to the African continent are gathering momentum, with ambitious plans already taking shape to turn the project into reality.

Speaking to The Athletic, Jean-Guy Afrika outlined Rwanda’s long-term vision as it explores the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix later this decade.

“We’re in the race to possibly hold a Formula One event here in 2029. We actually want to use the airport as an opportunity to practically develop an entirely new city,” Jean-Guy Afrika said.

Read the full story here.

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