F1 CEO Says German Grand Prix Return Likely in Medium Term

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has indicated the German Grand Prix could return to the calendar in the medium term as the sport reassesses one of its most historic markets. With Audi now on the grid and Mercedes still a major force, Germany remains deeply embedded in F1 despite lacking a race since 2019. Domenicali noted that while no deal is guaranteed, conditions are aligning to make a future return a real possibility.

Why it matters:

Germany was a cornerstone of the F1 calendar for decades, but rising costs forced Hockenheim and the Nürburgring to rotate hosting duties before the event vanished after 2019. The absence of a German round is increasingly hard to justify with German manufacturers and drivers still central to the championship. Reviving the race would strengthen F1's commercial and media footprint in a market once considered among the sport's most important.

The details:

• The German Grand Prix was last held in 2019 at Hockenheim before disappearing due to financial pressures on traditional European venues.
• The Nürburgring hosted a one-off race in 2020 under the Eifel Grand Prix banner during the COVID-19 reshuffle, but no official German GP has taken place since.
• Domenicali cited Audi's presence and partners like Mercedes as key drivers behind renewed interest in a German round.
• He stressed any return would not be immediate, but dialogue with German stakeholders is moving positively for the medium term.

What's next:

The path back depends on finding a promoter and venue able to meet F1's modern commercial demands. With Audi now on the grid adding momentum, talks are expected to intensify in the coming seasons. If a viable deal emerges, Germany could again become a fixture rather than a memory on the calendar.