“A Grand Prix must be worthwhile for all parties” Stefano Domenicali confirms F1 will not return to Germany in 2023
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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali
Formula 1 is in a period of great upheaval. The calendar is undergoing a radical shift, and ‘classic’ races like Monaco and Belgium, in addition to the French Grand Prix in Le Castellet, are in danger of disappearing from the Formula 1 calendar. The races expected to be in the calendar next year, or make a return are Qatar, China, Las Vegas, as well as potentially Kyalami, in South Africa.
One pattern could be ascertained from these changes: Formula 1 is de-Europeanizing and diversifying. It has been making waves in the United States in the past few years with the help of ‘Drive to Survive’, and that has led to 3 US races on the calendar for 2023. Reactions are mixed, with some fans feeling that Formula 1 is moving away from ‘traditional’ tracks to places where they may make more money.
The German Grand Prix, whether in Hockenheim or at the Nurburgring, was one of the fixtures of the Formula 1 calendar, having been held for most of the years since the first season in 1950. But that stopped in 2019, and the last Grand Prix held in Germany was the Eifel Grand Prix, back in 2020. Some fans demand the return of the event, but Stefano Domenicali has said that it isn’t likely to return.
Stefano Domenicali thinks there is not much interested by German organizers
Fans shouldn’t hold their hopes up high for the return of Germany to the Formula 1 calendar. As reported by Motorsport-Total.com, Stefano Domenicali said: “The Grand Prix must be worthwhile for all parties. We cannot assume all the costs.”
Domenicali was surprised by the inability to put together a reasonable package for the Grand Prix in Germany: “It’s a mystery to me how you can’t build a business around a Grand Prix these days. But: they get it that way, we will have a race in Germany again.”
He also said that German organizers themselves don’t seem to be too interested in hosting a Grand Prix once again: “If I don’t make a phone call myself, I don’t see or hear much from Germany. One would always just talk, talk and talk, but in the end, you need facts.”
Stefano Domenicali also clarified that money, obviously important, is not the only factor for the changing state of the Formula 1 calendar: “Money is important everywhere, including for us. But if we only looked at the finances, the race calendar would definitely look different.” but one thing is clear: Germany will not return to the calendar for 2023, and possibly for even more years in the future.
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