Schumacher: "German motorsport will die if something doesn't happen soon"

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher is convinced his native country of Germany thinks motorsport "will die" in the country if measures aren't taken soon, as he explains youth categories like karting are "non-existent" in Germany.

Earlier this century, the Formula 1 grid would always feature a multitude of Germans. It reached its peak in 2010, when seven drivers on the grid were German: Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hulkenberg, Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld and Adrian Sutil.

Now, it's just Vettel after Hulkenberg was left without a seat for the 2020 season. The youth categories aren't exactly crawling with Germans either, with both Mick (Formula 2) and David Schumacher (Formula 3), sons of Michael and Ralf respectively, two of the only ones flying the German flag. 

"Unfortunately, we have a problem in Germany because karting is practically non-existent here - especially compared to England or Italy," the six-time Grand Prix winner told Speedweek. "And of course you notice that.

"German motorsport will die if something doesn't happen soon."

Not trendy and too expensive

Speedweek pointed out there are just 800 karting licenses in Germany, an alarmingly small number compared to the United Kingdom, where there are 3900 licenses.

"In the past, the youth grids were so big that you'd have to send people home after qualifying. Now, there are ten or 12 karts at the start."

Schumacher pointed out how karting and driving simply isn't a trend anymore among German youth, while he also stressed the price to go racing is simply too high, as he takes his son's current category of Formula 3 as an example.

“We're talking about an annual budget of 1.5 million euros. That is absurd for a youth series. And in Formula 2, it's a million more expensive. The FIA ​​must regulate better, reduce and centralize the series."