Domenicali revives German GP talks with Hockenheim as Hamilton warns of stronger Ferrari

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed renewed contact with Hockenheim over a potential long-term return for the German Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton is confident Ferrari's aggressive upgrades will deliver a stronger second half to the 2026 season. Germany has been absent from the calendar since 2021, with the last Hockenheim race taking place in 2019, while Ferrari currently sits second in the standings, trailing Mercedes by 72 points.

Why it matters:

A German GP comeback would signal major growth in one of F1's key European markets, bolstered by rising broadcast interest. For Ferrari, erasing its straight-line speed deficit is essential to challenging Mercedes over the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

The details:

• Domenicali told media that talks with Hockenheim have resumed for a long-term return, though not in the immediate future. Max Verstappen won the last race at the circuit in 2019.
• The F1 chief cited a new RTL broadcast deal and anticipated multiple bidders for upcoming German media rights as proof of the sport's regional momentum.
• Ferrari is 72 points behind Mercedes at the season's halfway mark after a difficult Hungarian Grand Prix, where Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth.
• Hamilton stated the team has lost around three to four tenths on the straights due to power deficits, but praised the squad's relentless upgrade schedule.
• Team principal Fred Vasseur stressed the importance of maintaining development pace, noting that engine improvements carry greater inertia than chassis updates but remain a priority.

What's next:

Hockenheim's potential return will likely remain a long-term negotiation as F1 solidifies its European footprint. On track, Ferrari will be racing to implement its power unit upgrades, while Hamilton looks to leverage his traditionally strong second-half form to close the gap on Mercedes.