Hockenheim in talks over F1 return, but project remains theoretical

Hockenheim is in discussions with Formula 1 about a possible return to the calendar, but the prospect remains largely theoretical, managing director Joern Teske says. The circuit would need major infrastructure work, and public funding is virtually unavailable, fellow managing director Jochen Nerpel said.

Teske and Nerpel discussed the prospect with Formel1.de as Hockenheim launched Motorworld. Teske said Formula 1 is watching closely what is happening at the circuit, but Motorworld itself is not essential to staging a race: the wider infrastructure must be suitable.

The upgrades would be substantial. Temporary grandstands would need to raise capacity from just under 60,000 seats to close to 100,000, and Hockenheim would need a larger pit building for all 11 teams, Nerpel said.

Nerpel said finances were the crux of the problem. He put the chances of public funding from any source at virtually zero and said Germany offers Formula 1 little support despite its automotive industry.

Hockenheim first hosted the German Grand Prix in 1970 and became a regular venue from 1977 to 2006. It then staged races every other year through 2018, initially alternating with the Nürburgring. Mercedes backed the 2019 race, the last held at the circuit; difficult financial conditions made further races unfeasible.

On a possible short-notice replacement race, Teske said Hockenheim would seriously consider one if it opened the way to a secure multi-year F1 contract. A one-off without further prospects, he said, would not make financial sense.