Rotation model as an opportunity
Formula 1 raises hopes for Germany races
April 9, 2024, 8:41 a.m
The Formula 1 managing director has announced many races in Europe for 2026. Motorsport’s premier class has been expanding for years, especially outside of Europe. But with a rotation model, Europe comes back into play – what does that mean for the Nürburgring and the Hockenheimring?
Is Germany rotating back into the Formula 1 calendar? Considerations in the premier motorsport class about an alternating model among European Grand Prix tracks from 2026 could also open up opportunities for a return for the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg and the Nürburgring in Rhineland-Palatinate.
A few weeks ago, Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali brought a rotation model into play on the old continent. “In 2026 you will see something interesting. We are discussing with other organizers in Europe to do something that will be announced soon,” said the Italian. 2026 will be a year “in which there will be many Grands Prix, especially in Europe, where we have different options”.
This season, Formula 1 is contesting 24 races – more than ever before. But there are only nine Grand Prix in Europe left. In recent years, the racing series has expanded primarily outside of Europe due to the high entry fees.
Last joined in 2020
“We were, are and remain in contact with Formula 1 and are always exploring joint possibilities,” said the managing director of the Hockenheimring, Jorn Teske. “We generally think very highly of a rotation model because it has proven successful with our colleagues at the Nürburgring in the past.”
Between 2007 and 2014, Formula 1 races took place alternately in Hockenheim and at the Nürburgring. The racing series has made a total of 79 appearances in Germany so far. The Nürburgring last hosted the Eifel Grand Prix in the 2020 Corona season; the last Grand Prix to date at the Hockenheimring took place the year before.
“For us, Formula 1 is the premier class of motorsport and we offer the perfect platform for this,” said Nürburgring spokesman Alexander Gerhard. “The be-all and end-all” for the traditional course in the Eifel is “the economic viability of an event”. This also applies to our colleagues from Baden-Württemberg. “We are pulling together with the Hockenheimring,” emphasized Gerhard. According to reports, Germany is not the Formula 1 bosses’ top priority as a stage location. For example, Audi’s entry as a works team for the 2026 season won’t change anything.