Hockenheim is in discussions with F1, despite having "almost no" public financial support.

Currently, F1 boasts a 24-race calendar with numerous potential venues – including Rwanda, which is expected to join the lineup in the early 2030s – yet Hockenheim remains keen on making the world championship a key event in its schedule.

“Formula 1 is undoubtedly keeping a close eye on developments at the Hockenheimring,” Teske remarked.

2019 German Grand Prix

“We are in conversations. The priority for Formula 1 is ensuring that the overall conditions at the Hockenheimring are appropriate. Motorworld is an impressive facility, but it isn't the critical factor that Formula 1 requires to host a race. I believe the focus will be more on whether the overall infrastructure meets the necessary standards. That said, the images we shared have made a strong impression, including on [F1 CEO] Stefano Domenicali. It’s simply an outstanding establishment that reflects the progress being made at the circuit.”

Nerpel noted that Hockenheim would require temporary grandstands to increase capacity from “just under 60,000 seats” to “nearly 100,000,” along with a larger pit facility to accommodate all 11 teams.

However, the main issue, as is frequently the case, revolves around finances. “We often find ourselves saying, 'Did you see the pit building in Hungary?'” Nerpel remarked. “Structures like that can be constructed almost overnight – and I use that expression intentionally, as those buildings were completed in roughly six to nine months.

“These are two entirely different approaches. When a government or a nation expresses interest and says, 'This is significant to us' – take Rwanda, for instance, which is now part of the conversation – we sometimes find it astonishing how little influence Formula 1 holds in Germany, a country renowned for its automotive industry, and how minimal the support is. Naturally, we desire much greater backing, but the likelihood of receiving public funding from any source is virtually nonexistent, if I may express it that way.”

“There are numerous issues that need to be addressed first,” Teske confirmed. “Since we have nothing concrete to announce or discuss publicly at this moment, it remains largely theoretical.”

2019 German Grand Prix

Amid decreasing calendar uncertainty in light of the Iran war, Teske also clarified that a last-minute, one-off replacement race ‘definitely wouldn’t be worthwhile’ for Hockenheim from a financial perspective.

“To put it plainly: if accepting a replacement race significantly opened the door to a multi-year contract and a stable Formula 1 future, then it would certainly be an option we would consider very seriously,” Teske noted.

“But if it became evident that it would only be a one-off replacement race, with no further opportunities, I would personally question whether the effort was justified. Financially, it certainly wouldn't be.

“What long-term value would a single race provide? One flash of media attention, immense visibility for that event, and then it all fades away. That wouldn’t necessarily be my choice, although I must emphasize that this is merely my personal view and has not been agreed upon internally.”

Fourteen of the current 22 drivers on the F1 grid have competed at the Hockenheimring, with three securing victories – Fernando Alonso (’05, ’10, ’12), Lewis Hamilton (’06, ’16, ’18), and Max Verstappen (’19). Local legend Michael Schumacher holds the record with four wins to his name.

2019 German Grand Prix