Formula 1

F1 News: Hockenheim GP Set For F1 Return, Says Volkswagen CEO

The Formula 1 calendar has been gradually expanding over the last few years, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali even suggesting – albeit in jest – that a thirty-race calendar would not be an impossibility. Though such a gruelling annual schedule is surely unattainable, if the last few seasons are anything to go by, the calendar will continue to expand.

Despite the frustration of fans and the expansion of the calendar, Hockenheim has struggled to solidify its position in F1 having been absent from the F1 circus since 2019. Whilst the global pandemic played its a part in numerous tracks (Singapore, Japan, etc.) losing their calendar slots, there are far more deep-rooted issues that have stifled the 4.5-kilometre track from featuring on F1′ annual schedule.

Unsurprisingly, financial issues have consistently been cited as the biggest issue for Hockenheim’s organisers, who struggle to meet the monetary demands of the sport. The Nurburgring’s Managing Director, Ingo Boder, spoke to Motorsport-total.com about this issue, describing the great discrepancy between the financial capability of Hockenheim compared to venues such as Qatar.

However, this bleak outlook for the Hockenheim GP has brightened, with a series of developments suggesting its return to the calendar is more than possible. Stefano Domenicali has spoken openly about Germany’s commercial potential in F1 and has shown he is aware of Hockenheim’s popularity among the fans.

Domenicali has already revealed in an interview earlier in the year that he would talk with Hockenheim’s organisers to discuss a return to the F1 calendar.

Aside from Domenicali’s admission that F1 is in talks for a return to Germany, there are further indications that Hockenheim’s return is only a matter of time. Volkswagen’s CEO, Herbert Diess, is among those to have hinted at the possibility of Germany being re-instated into the calendar.

Whilst discussing Audi and Porsche’s objectives in Formula 1 (after confirming their intention to enter F1 in 2026) Diess spoke about the importance of a German Grand Prix for these two brands. Diess explained that he is aware of “plans that we will have a Grand Prix in Germany again”, potentially making Audi and Porsche’s entry into F1 more lucrative.

Despite Hockenheim’s recent difficulties in solidifying a place in F1, its return to the pinnacle of motorsport seems inevitable.

With a rotating calendar being suggested as a potential route for F1 (which would see tracks alternate on the calendar from year to year) and more races also being considered, it would be unwise to write off one of F1’s most popular circuits from returning.

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