Domenicali confirms Hockenheim talks over German Grand Prix return

Hockenheim has opened preliminary discussions with Formula 1 about bringing the German Grand Prix back to the calendar, though Stefano Domenicali emphasized that any return remains a medium- to long-term prospect. The talks mark Germany's first formal reconnection with the sport since the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in 2020.

Why it matters:

Germany has been absent from the F1 calendar for seven years, and its return would restore a historic European market now showing renewed commercial momentum. Domenicali pointed to F1's new RTL broadcast deal and growing interest in Germany's next TV rights tender as signs of strengthening appetite. A comeback would also bolster F1's European footprint amid rapid global expansion.

The details:

• Emodrom Group acquired a controlling stake in Hockenheim in 2024 and announced a €250 million redevelopment including a Porsche Experience Centre, hotel, and Motorworld museum.
• Domenicali stressed F1 would require investment beyond these plans: "If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, the investment needs to be different because our platform is to have a different kind of investment."
• Hockenheim last hosted the German Grand Prix in 2019, with the Nürburgring holding a one-off Eifel Grand Prix in 2020.
• The calendar queue is crowded: Portugal and Turkey are set to join from 2027, while Belgium and Barcelona will rotate. Africa, Thailand, South Korea, and Argentina are also in the mix.

What's next:

Hockenheim has cleared an important hurdle by reentering the Formula 1 conversation, but a deal would require meeting modern infrastructure and commercial demands. With Germany's broadcast numbers improving and private investment flowing, the foundations for a return are being laid. Whether that translates into a confirmed race remains uncertain, though the door is officially ajar.