Hockenheimring reacts
Is Formula 1 now returning to Germany?
March 4, 2026 – 2:22 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
If the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cannot take place due to safety concerns, Formula 1 would have to switch to Europe. Will there be a Grand Prix in Germany unexpectedly?
The Hockenheimring has commented on the possibility of being available as a replacement racing venue for the upcoming Formula 1 season if the races in the Middle East cannot take place. “We are not taking part in speculation about possible changes to the Formula 1 calendar or about a potential role as an alternative destination and will not position ourselves proactively in this regard,” said the management when asked by t-online.
The races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will take place on April 12th and a weekend later, but if the security situation remains critical, “then the issue has actually already been resolved,” TV expert Ralf Schumacher commented on the situation in the Sky podcast “Backstage Pit Lane”. According to the 50-year-old, Europe would then come into play as an alternative location.
As the Hockenheimring announced, the basic requirements would continue to be met to organize such a race. “Nevertheless, the preparation of such a race weekend requires a considerable amount of time in advance, both from a technical and organizational point of view and especially with regard to successful marketing,” said the track’s management in response to a t-online query.
Ralf Schumacher had already given little hope for Germany as an alternative location in the Sky podcast. He brought the routes in Portimão and Le Castellet in southern France into play. “But that would all have to be decided promptly, especially because of the tickets and the spectators,” he also pointed out the tight time window.
The last time a Formula 1 race took place in Portimão on the Algarve was in 2021, and the track in Portugal will return to the racing calendar in 2027 and 2028. The French Grand Prix was held in Le Castellet between 2018 and 2022. What would also speak for both locations is that “further south in Europe the weather is better,” said Schumacher. The last Formula 1 race was held at the Hockenheimring in 2019.
