Formula 1 boss makes demands: Big hurdles for F1 comeback in Germany

The last regular Formula 1 race in Germany will take place at the Hockenheimring in 2019.

Formula 1 boss makes demands: Big hurdles for F1 comeback in Germany

The last regular Formula 1 race in Germany will take place at the Hockenheimring in 2019. Since then, the largest racing series in the world has been planning without the Schumacher country. Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali makes a return subject to many conditions. The series has long been making money elsewhere.

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali gives German motorsport fans little hope of a permanent return of a German World Championship Grand Prix. "We have to find a way for that - and if I don't make a call myself, I see and hear little from Germany. They talk, talk, talk, but in the end you need facts," said the 57-year-old Italian in "Sport Bild". -Interview. "It's a mystery to me how you can't build a business around a grand prix these days. But if you can do it, we'll have a race in Germany again."

Personally, he would like to return to Germany: "But the Grand Prix must be worthwhile for everyone. We cannot cover all the costs." A Formula 1 race was last held at the Hockenheimring in 2019. The Nürburgring stepped in at short notice in 2020 when the corona pandemic had led to cancellations in the racing calendar. 23 races are planned in the calendar for 2022 - Germany is not there even in the record year.

The races in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which are accused of human rights violations, are not a conflict for Domenicali. "I'm not selling the soul of Formula 1. I think that's the normal change," he said, not allowing the argument of greed to apply: "Money is important everywhere. Also for us. But we don't just look at it, The overall package has to be right. If we were just looking at the account, the race calendar would definitely look different." In the countries they want to do much more "drive change with the power of our sport". An argument that is often used in so-called sportswashing.

At the same time, Domenicali announced that there would be no more Formula 1 races in Russia. Shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Formula 1 canceled the race in Sochi in September. "I always say that you should never say never - but in this case I can promise: We will not negotiate with them anymore. There will be no more races there," he said. According to the media, the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix is ​​said to have brought in around 50 million euros a year.