Formula 1 back to car country?: Toto Wolff's lightning analysis for Germany is devastating

Formula 1 back to car country? Toto Wolff's quick analysis for Germany is devastating. 30.05.2025, 08:11

There hasn't been a Formula 1 race in Germany for five years. There's little indication that it's about to return. Toto Wolff sees a clear reason for this. It's about old structures and the fear of renewal.

Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff currently considers an imminent return of Formula 1 to the automaker's home country to be unlikely. "The mood in Germany as a business location is apparently not good enough for a Formula 1 race at the moment," said the Austrian Wolff in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung."

In Germany, no one seems to be able to trust themselves to make a profit from a Grand Prix, said 53-year-old Wolff: "Perhaps people are too attached to the old structures. In any case, no one seems willing to make an investment."

Unlike Silverstone, for example. If it makes sense for the business people to host a Grand Prix at such a traditional racetrack, "then it should be possible in Germany as well," said Wolff: "In any case, the English are making a profit out of it."

Last of 79 races in Germany was five years ago

The premier class of motorsport is experiencing a boom all over the world, but this trend is bypassing Germany. While applicants are lining up to host a Grand Prix, there are currently no serious efforts to bring the Hockenheimring or the Nürburgring back to racing any time soon. This is partly due to the high entry fee of approximately €35.5 million. It has been repeatedly claimed that this fee is not refinanceable in Germany.

"Anyone who wants to host a Grand Prix either has the business in mind or wants to achieve a global image transfer. Everyone expects a return," said Wolff. "If promoters in Germany don't see a business case, then Formula 1 has to accept it and, at best, ask itself why that is the case."

There have been a total of 79 Formula 1 races on German soil to date, the last of which was held in 2020 at the Nürburgring, but only as a replacement event due to the coronavirus pandemic. A year earlier, Mercedes, as title sponsor, made the last World Championship race to date at Hockenheim possible.