Formula 1’s links with Germany have been on pause in recent years, even though the country has played a major role in the championship’s history. The German Grand Prix last featured on the calendar in 2020, during a season heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hockenheim was the last regular host of the race, while the Nürburgring staged a one-off event under the Eifel Grand Prix name. Since then, Formula 1 has not returned to German soil.

That absence could yet change. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has offered a note of cautious optimism about a possible comeback, as the sport continues to grow its calendar. Speaking to Motorsport Magazin, Domenicali said Formula 1 is open to discussions, but stressed that any return would need to make sense for all sides involved. “We are open and prepared for any kind of discussion,” he said. “I see some signs of optimism and I hope this will evolve in the coming months.”

However, Domenicali was careful to underline that goodwill alone will not be enough. Financial terms remain the key issue, as hosting a Formula 1 race comes with high fees. “We are interested in returning to Germany, but with the right organiser and the right offer,” he added. In the past, these demands proved difficult to meet, particularly for Hockenheim, which struggled to balance hosting costs with ticket sales and public support.

Those challenges were clear in 2019, when the German Grand Prix only went ahead after Mercedes reportedly covered a large part of the hosting fee. A return to the Nürburgring also appears unlikely under current conditions, with the circuit previously admitting that a Formula 1 race is not financially realistic at present.

Despite the historic importance of the German market, Domenicali made it clear that Formula 1 is not under pressure to force a deal. “The good thing is that we’re not desperate, because we have many requests from all over the world,” he said. If Germany does not see a return of Formula 1 as a priority, the sport is prepared to look elsewhere. For now, the future of the German Grand Prix remains uncertain, but Domenicali’s comments suggest there is at least a small opening for talks to continue.