Formula 1: Why is F1 so ‘hot and cold’ on the German Grand Prix?

By Kevin Nguyen | Jul 23, 2018

HOCKENHEIM, GERMANY - JULY 18: A German national flag flaps in the wind during practice ahead of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheimring on July 18, 2014 in Hockenheim, Germany. (Photo by Drew Gibson/Getty Images) /

With Germany’s Formula 1 race continually being questioned, it begs the question as to why considering the nation’s connection to the sport.

For Formula 1 fans in the last 30 years, if asked to “list the greatest drivers“, it is guaranteed that their lists would include Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, four phenomenal generational talents and faces of their respective driving eras. However, the last three share a rather dubious link. Their home Grands Prix are being threatened, and that’s not right.

The British Grand Prix has been a staple since the sport’s founding, and unless a reasonable deal can be made, we may have to say goodbye (however temporary) to the British Grand Prix after 2019.

The German Grand Prix is a bit trickier since it alternates between the Nurburgring and the Hockenheimring, with the former having hosting 46 races and the latter having hosting 36 races, including this year’s.

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But while there are people who are fighting for the British Grand Prix’s livelihood despite the British Racing Drivers’ Club’s (BRDC) frosty relationship with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and their little dialogue (thus far) with Liberty Media, the British Grand Prix’s future outlook remains bright. That is not so for the German Grand Prix. Why is that?

The provisional 2019 calendar has no mention of the German Grand Prix, but it lists the Miami Grand Prix as ‘TBD’. It boggles the mind how F1 can be so blasé about hosting a Grand Prix in a country that has produced 12 driver championships, four consecutive constructor championships and is the only country where maxing out your car’s top speed on public roads is not only legal but considered a hobby.

While German Grand Prix organizers have also had a contentious time with Ecclestone, it was hoped that Liberty Media would be more open to negotiations. So far, that hasn’t been the case.

The German Grand Prix has its critics, and the redesign of the Hockenheimring hasn’t helped to put those grumblings to rest, but Germany is a fantastic locale to stage a race with its surging car industry, motorsport pedigree and knowledgeable, excited fan base. F1 would be foolish to keep stringing Germany along without a clear direction for the future whether that future is at the Hockenheimring, the Nurburgring or even elsewhere.

Next: Top 10 Formula 1 drivers of all-time

With the German Grand Prix off the calendar for the 2019 Formula 1 season, is Germany doomed to always be F1’s on-off rebound relationship, or will Liberty Media finally put a contract on it in the near future?

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