Iconic track rejects potential return to F1 calendar

The Nurburgring has denied claims it is seeking a return to the F1 calendar in the coming years. 

The track, which was a permanent fixture between 1999 and 2007 as host of the European Grand Prix, and then in odd-numbered years between 2009 and 2013 as German GP host in a rotational deal with Hockenheim last appeared on the calendar in 2020.

This event was run as the Eifel Grand Prix, and was not originally scheduled to be on that season's schedule, but after the cancellation of a number of races due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nurburgring stepped in for a one-off deal. 

After last hosting the German GP in 2013, the Nurburgring dropped off the calendar entirely, as Hockenheim took over sole hosting duties, initially only in even-numbered years between 2014-2018, before a Mercedes-backed event in 2019 heralded the final German GP to date.

The rapid expansion of the calendar meant both circuits found it unsustainable to host F1, with its high race-promoter fees and organisational costs, but a potential return to the Nurburgring had been raised as a possibility.

F1 is now currently trying to find a race for 2028 and 2030 after a new deal with the Belgian Grand Prix until 2031 did not include those years. 

The boss of Spa has indicated that F1 is only after eight European GPs, but the void in the 2028 and 2030 calendars will not be filled by the Nurburgring. 

"For these reasons, the plan is not feasible for us as a private company in this form," spokesman Alexander Gerhard told Sky Sports Germany, pointing out that such a race would be a loss-making exercise for the private company that owns the track. 

"Since the last discussion, more than a year ago, no further talks have taken place with the organiser of the series."