DPA
Berlin
Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali would not be averse to a return of the German Grand Prix in the race calendar, but such a comeback appears unlikely.
The last of 79 F1 races in Germany was in 2020 when Nuburgring stepped in during the coronavirus-marred season. The last official German GP was a year at Hockenheim as both venues struggled with the financial side to stage such an event.
Domenicali told Wednesday’s edition of the Sport Bild weekly that “money is secondary at the moment. First of all it is about knowing with whom we have to talk. We are ready for talks.
“Germany is Germany and belongs into Formula One. So if someone has a serious interest he will find a way to contact me.”
Germany has a long F1 tradition, and interest was huge in the heydays of world champions Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. Interest has cooled considerably but the Mercedes team remains a big part of the sport, and Audi will have a works team from next year onwards.
However, a potential organizer would have to come up with a fee of around €35.5 million ($41.4 million) to land a race.
Many believe such a sum can not be re-financed, and there are also many other countries interested in hosting races in the booming sport.
“Time is pressing. There is a long waiting list of companies and even countries with their prime ministers and kings who are desperate to have a race,” Domenicali said.