Hockenheim in Talks for F1 Return, CEO Says German GP 'Definitely Will Happen'

The German Grand Prix has been off the Formula 1 calendar since 2019, but recent comments from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali suggest a comeback may be on the horizon. During Liberty Media’s Q2 2026 earnings call, Domenicali confirmed that Hockenheim had reached out to the championship for initial discussions about rejoining the schedule.

He described the contact as a first step, noting that any return would be a mid-term goal rather than something immediate.

Domenicali was quoted as saying a German GP return “definitely will happen,” according to Planet F1 editor Mat Coch. That optimism is tempered by financial realities. Hockenheim’s managing director Jörn Teske acknowledged F1’s interest in Germany but admitted the circuit’s old business model couldn’t support a modern race weekend.

The arrival of the Emodrom Group, which acquired nearly 75 percent of Hockenheim’s operating company in 2024, has brought a €250 million investment commitment through 2034, including a Porsche Experience Centre, a hotel, and a Motorworld facility, with early phases targeted for 2027.

Domenicali stressed that hosting an F1 event requires a different level of investment than other motorsport events, and that topic has been discussed with Hockenheim. The calendar remains a hurdle: F1’s schedule is locked until the end of 2028, so a return before 2029 is unlikely.

According to MotorsportWeek, a rotational format, similar to what Barcelona and Spa will adopt in 2027, is the most probable path back. With Audi entering F1 as a constructor in 2026 and Nico Hülkenberg racing for a German manufacturer, a home race would be commercially appealing.

Hockenheim last hosted a world championship race in July 2019, won by Max Verstappen. The circuit has been part of F1 since 1970 and was the primary home of the German GP for decades. For now, the door is open, but only slightly.