A new grandstand, Motorworld and Formula 1 cars in the photomontages: Hockenheim has big plans – but how realistic is a Grand Prix comeback?
The latest redevelopment plans for the Hockenheimring are illustrated with intriguing photomontages: Formula 1 cars are shown starting in front of the redesigned main grandstand, which incorporates a Motorworld branch. This raises the question: is Hockenheim actually planning a Formula 1 comeback?
Motorworld Managing Director Andreas Dünkel answered this question at a press conference at the Hockenheimring as follows: “We all know that Formula 1 is still the top category. That’s why we’d be lying if we said we weren’t keeping an eye on it and that we wouldn’t want that to happen.”
However, the economic reality is different. The example of Zandvoort illustrates this: the Dutch circuit on the North Sea coast is doing without further Formula 1 races, even though Max Verstappen remains a real crowd-puller amongst the top drivers. Yet the organisers in Zandvoort can no longer afford – nor do they wish to – host the Grand Prix.
” “There is hardly a single racecourse left that is not supported by public funds, because the framework conditions are currently practically impossible to meet without public funding,” explained Dünkel.
Motorworld as a catalyst at the Hockenheimring
But what isn’t yet a reality could still become one: “Once Motorworld is up and running, I believe we’ll have the necessary framework in place,” said Dünkel. Then they would like to “hold talks with politicians here in the state and at federal level” to assess the financial viability of a Formula 1 comeback.
“Perhaps at some point there will be an opportunity for us to actually make it happen. Then we’ll be the first to be ready and raring to go. I can promise you that,” said Dünkel. “We know that we have a certain appeal. But everything has to fall into place perfectly. And it’s not possible to make a serious prediction about that today.”
Formula 1 signals interest in a comeback
“We don’t want to talk too much about Formula 1 today. That just fuels speculation. We’ll be happy to discuss it when there’s something to report.” And at present, there is “nothing ready for announcement”.
However, that does not necessarily mean “that it’s a lost cause”, according to Teske. After all, there is certainly interest in a Formula 1 return to Germany: Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hinted as recently as August 2026 at the “possibility” of “bringing the race back in the medium term” – specifically to the Hockenheimring. From a Formula 1 perspective, however, “investments” are needed there.
Hockenheim already meets the Formula 1 requirements
According to Teske, the Hockenheimring already meets “the majority of the requirements”: the circuit has the Grade 1 classification required for Formula 1. “That means: On paper, we’re already in a position to host a Formula 1 race. Not all international circuits have that by any means.”
We’ll have to wait and see what happens next, said Teske: “If, at some point, we find ourselves in a situation where we need to look into the issue further from an infrastructure perspective, then we’ll certainly do so. And then we’ll quickly know what we need to do. But we don’t want to count our chickens before they’re hatched. That’s why I don’t want to go into any more detail on this at this stage.”
The vision for the Hockenheimring with Motorworld
For the Hockenheimring, the current focus is on the further development of the circuit, including the integration of Motorworld. The redevelopment is expected to take several years and is due to be completed in 2029 or 2030. The aim is to “enhance the entire complex” and, in the long term, become a “year-round destination”, explained Teske. “These are the most important steps we are taking right now.”
And these steps could help, in the medium term, to bring Formula 1 back to Hockenheim. Teske: “I think Formula 1 is certainly keeping a close eye on the steps being taken here. But at this stage, that doesn’t mean anything at all.”
“The most important thing, therefore, is that we continue to work on expanding the complex and making it more modern and attractive. Everything else remains to be seen.”
The Hockenheimring last hosted the German Grand Prix in 2019. The most recent Formula 1 race on German soil took place in 2020, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, as the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.