Motorsport
Rotation model in Formula 1: Opportunity for German tracks?
The Motodrom at the Hockenheimring, taken from an airplane. photo
© Bernd Weißbrod/dpa/archive image
In Formula 1, there are considerations for an alternating model among European Grand Prix tracks from 2026. Could this mean that Hockenheimring and Nürburgring will rotate back into the calendar?
Is Germany rotating back into the Formula 1 calendar? Considerations in the Motorsport premier class via an alternating model among European Grand Prix tracks from 2026 could also open up opportunities for a return to the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg and the Nürburgring in Rhineland-Palatinate.
A few weeks ago, Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali brought a rotation model into play on the old continent. “In 2026 you will see something interesting. We are discussing with other organizers in Europe to do something that will be announced soon,” said the Italian. 2026 will be a year “in which there will be many Grands Prix, especially in Europe, where we have different options”.
“Always explore common possibilities”
This season, Formula 1 is contesting 24 races – more than ever before. But there are only nine Grand Prix in Europe left. In recent years, the racing series has expanded primarily outside of Europe due to the high entry fees.
“We were, are and remain in contact with Formula 1 and are always exploring joint possibilities,” said the managing director of the Hockenheimring, Jorn Teske, to the German Press Agency. “We generally think very highly of a rotation model because it has proven successful with our colleagues at the Nürburgring in the past.”
Between 2007 and 2014, Formula 1 races took place alternately in Hockenheim and at the Nürburgring. The racing series has made a total of 79 appearances in Germany so far. The Nürburgring last hosted the Eifel Grand Prix in the 2020 Corona season; the last Grand Prix to date at the Hockenheimring took place the year before.
Economic efficiency remains the be-all and end-all
“For us, Formula 1 is the premier class of motorsport and we offer the perfect platform for this,” said Nürburgring spokesman Alexander Gerhard to the dpa. “The be-all and end-all” for the traditional course in the Eifel is “the economic viability of an event”. This also applies to our colleagues from Baden-Württemberg. “We are pulling together with the Hockenheimring,” emphasized Gerhard.
According to dpa information, Germany is not the top priority for the Formula 1 bosses as a stage location. For example, Audi’s entry as a works team for the 2026 season won’t change anything.