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Germany’s most iconic circuit has made the first move. Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1‘s CEO, has confirmed that Hockenheimring initiated contact with the sport to discuss a potential return to the racing calendar, according to The Race.
Domenicali offered a carefully tempered response when pressed on what the contact actually amounts to.
“It was Hockenheim that connected with us, and they had the first discussion,” he said. “As you know, they are developing the motorsport park there with a different objective. If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, of course the investment needs to be different – because our platform needs to have a different kind of investment.”
Since acquiring a 74.99% controlling interest in the Hockenheimring in August 2024, the Emodrom Group has outlined plans to invest approximately €250 million in redeveloping the venue into a wider motorsport hub, with projects including an expanded Porsche Experience Centre, a new hotel, and a planned Motorworld complex. That’s a serious commitment to the venue as a business. Whether it translates into Grand Prix money is a different question entirely.
Jörn Teske, who serves as managing director of the Hockenheimring, offered a measured assessment of the circuit’s discussions with Formula 1. “We are in regular contact with Formula 1,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “We want to get a comprehensive picture of the framework and what the opportunities and risks are. There is interest, but at this time we have no results to report.” Emodrom’s Tim Brauer added: “We are not going to do anything crazy financially, but we are trying to find ways to bring Formula 1 back to Germany.”
To illustrate the financial scale involved, the 2019 German Grand Prix – the last time Hockenheim appeared on the Formula 1 calendar, with Max Verstappen taking the victory – was only made possible because Mercedes reportedly stepped in to cover hosting fees estimated at somewhere between $15 million and $20 million. Formula 1 has only become a more expensive proposition since then, with circuits in Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, South Korea, and Argentina all competing for spots on a calendar that doesn’t need to do anyone any favours.
Domenicali has been consistent on this point, and his latest remarks reflect no change in position. “We’re not just thinking about the short term, but about a longer-term collaboration,” he said – a statement that may sound encouraging on the surface, but signals that Formula 1 will only commit to an arrangement that makes financial sense across multiple years, not just one event.
Several factors could strengthen Hockenheim’s position. Sky holds exclusive broadcasting rights in Germany only through 2027, and after that point, Domenicali indicated that several broadcasters have shown interest in competing for the coverage – greater competition in the television market could improve the financial viability of returning the race. The departure of Zandvoort from the F1 calendar after this season leaves a vacancy among the European rounds that will need to be claimed by another venue. And with Audi now on the grid alongside Mercedes, Germany has more skin in the game than it has in years.
None of that guarantees anything. But for the first time in a while, both sides are at least in the same room.
Continue reading...
Domenicali offered a carefully tempered response when pressed on what the contact actually amounts to.
“It was Hockenheim that connected with us, and they had the first discussion,” he said. “As you know, they are developing the motorsport park there with a different objective. If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, of course the investment needs to be different – because our platform needs to have a different kind of investment.”
The Money Is the Whole Story
Since acquiring a 74.99% controlling interest in the Hockenheimring in August 2024, the Emodrom Group has outlined plans to invest approximately €250 million in redeveloping the venue into a wider motorsport hub, with projects including an expanded Porsche Experience Centre, a new hotel, and a planned Motorworld complex. That’s a serious commitment to the venue as a business. Whether it translates into Grand Prix money is a different question entirely.
Jörn Teske, who serves as managing director of the Hockenheimring, offered a measured assessment of the circuit’s discussions with Formula 1. “We are in regular contact with Formula 1,” he told Auto Motor und Sport. “We want to get a comprehensive picture of the framework and what the opportunities and risks are. There is interest, but at this time we have no results to report.” Emodrom’s Tim Brauer added: “We are not going to do anything crazy financially, but we are trying to find ways to bring Formula 1 back to Germany.”
To illustrate the financial scale involved, the 2019 German Grand Prix – the last time Hockenheim appeared on the Formula 1 calendar, with Max Verstappen taking the victory – was only made possible because Mercedes reportedly stepped in to cover hosting fees estimated at somewhere between $15 million and $20 million. Formula 1 has only become a more expensive proposition since then, with circuits in Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, South Korea, and Argentina all competing for spots on a calendar that doesn’t need to do anyone any favours.
Domenicali has been consistent on this point, and his latest remarks reflect no change in position. “We’re not just thinking about the short term, but about a longer-term collaboration,” he said – a statement that may sound encouraging on the surface, but signals that Formula 1 will only commit to an arrangement that makes financial sense across multiple years, not just one event.
Several factors could strengthen Hockenheim’s position. Sky holds exclusive broadcasting rights in Germany only through 2027, and after that point, Domenicali indicated that several broadcasters have shown interest in competing for the coverage – greater competition in the television market could improve the financial viability of returning the race. The departure of Zandvoort from the F1 calendar after this season leaves a vacancy among the European rounds that will need to be claimed by another venue. And with Audi now on the grid alongside Mercedes, Germany has more skin in the game than it has in years.
None of that guarantees anything. But for the first time in a while, both sides are at least in the same room.
Continue reading...
