Verstappen puts the Nürburgring back on F1’s radar, but harsh reality blocks a return
19:02, 05 May
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Shanna is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog, specializing in both F1 and endurance and GT racing. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and experience at international circuits, she provides in-depth, reliable coverage and insights based on her presence at Grands Prix and racing events worldwide.
Recently, several new circuits have been added to the Formula 1 calendar, yet the Nürburgring remains absent. With Max Verstappen now a regular visitor to the track, more and more questions are being raised about why the iconic German venue has not returned to the pinnacle of motorsport. From the Nürburgring’s perspective, however, the current F1 business model simply does not add up.
Verstappen himself would not oppose a return for the circuit, while McLaren and Mercedes have also tested at the Eifel venue in recent times. Following those runs, George Russell and Oscar Piastri both described it as a “cool place”. The Nürburgring last hosted a Grand Prix in 2020, when it stepped in during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The circuit remains open to a potential Formula 1 comeback, but it is unwilling to return as a fallback option. “I think it has always been a matter of perspective and long-term planning,” begins spokesperson Alexander Gerhard in conversation with GPblog. “What we’ve always said is that we don’t want to return to Formula 1 as a short-term emergency solution whenever the Nürburgring is needed.”
Gerhard also pointed to the financial realities of hosting a modern Grand Prix. “If you look at the ‘product’ Formula 1, at the moment it is purchased at price X, and the refinancing potential is extremely small. That means there’s a high chance you’ll make a loss with this event. That’s not a business case the Nürburgring wants to participate in,” says Gerhard.
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Nürburgring has its own superstar
Moreover, the Eifel circuit does not need Formula 1’s spotlight to 'remain relevant'. “We have our own superstar: the Nordschleife. Because of the Nordschleife, people from all over the world come here. That also applies to the 24-hour race,” Gerhard adds. “Also because Verstappen is driving here now, but above all because The Green Hell—with its 21 kilometers and 73 corners—has parameters that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.”
Gerhard makes it clear that, in that sense, the Nürburgring doesn’t really have much to gain from a spot on the F1 calendar if it means that special events on the Nordschleife might suffer. “And why would we then buy into a format, take on business risk—for what? What would that improve here?”
The Nordschleife is world-famous—and doesn’t need F1 - Photo: VLN Presse
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is always positive about hosting a new German Grand Prix, but something would have to change on F1’s side: “If you can build a business case together with Formula 1, one that benefits both Formula 1 and the Nürburgring, then you can talk about it. Formula 1 currently has a different focus, which is entirely their right.”
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“That only works at other circuits”
Gerhard is keen to stress that he is not criticising Formula 1’s calendar decisions, but rather highlighting the fundamental differences between the Nürburgring’s structure and the current F1 business model.“No one denies Formula 1 its right to its business model, but that only works at other circuits where tourism budgets are available, where state-affiliated companies are involved.”
“The Nürburgring is simply organised differently. And it’s not just us. We see the same development at the Hockenheimring. As long as Formula 1’s business model doesn’t change, the Nürburgring won’t be on the F1 calendar,” says Gerhard. “Even though we know that, in terms of infrastructure, the Nürburgring is perfect for an F1 race.”
He points to the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix: “We organized an F1 race within three months under coronavirus measures, with ten thousand spectators. Our quality is beyond doubt. A week later, F1 raced in Turkey, where the asphalt was still too slippery (due to resurfacing, ed.). You can come to the Nürburgring and the infrastructure is sound; but the business model also has to make sense.”
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Historic circuits leave the calendar
It was recently announced that Turkey will return to the calendar from 2027, while Portimao is also set to make a comeback. At the same time, Imola and Zandvoort—circuits that, like the Nürburgring, carry significant Formula 1 history—are set to drop off the calendar.“I can also understand it from Formula 1’s point of view. Why wouldn’t Formula 1 race where it can make the most profit?” Gerhard says.
“I think Formula 1 should decide that entirely for itself, and that’s perfectly fine. But every motorsport fan also needs to understand that you don’t risk the business profitability of such a well-set-up venue for a single race format just to buy in an F1 race. That simply doesn’t work for the Nürburgring. The way things are here now is perfectly fine.”
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