Sebastian Vettel does not believe he will ever race in a home Grand Prix again, with neither the Nurburgring nor Hockenheim showing signs of returning to the F1 calendar. Vettel has been fortunate enough to have raced (2008-14, 2016 and 2018-19) and won (2013) in Germany during his phenomenal racing career, but is facing the reality that he may never again take the track in his homeland in F1. His realisation comes with the sport adding new glamour venues to its calendar, including Miami and Las Vegas, while the future of more historic circuits, such as Spa-Francorchamps, appear to be under threat. And with the fees new circuits are willing to pay to join the calendar rising as high as $50million, it is unlikely that Germany will be able to compete. "I don't know if Germany will make it in time for me," admitted Vettel, speaking to select members of the media, including RacingNews365.com . "I had the privilege to race in Germany for many years. I don't know [what will happen]. "I think in the end, obviously, if you look at the places that we're going to, Germany is not prepared to pay that sort of money to have the Grand Prix – simple as that."
Vettel: It's a shame, but it's money-driven
Amid a push by the German-owned Volkswagen Group to enter both Porsche and Audi into Formula 1, there has been increased speculation that Germany could soon find itself on a better footing to one day push for a return. VW Group CEO Herbert Diess wants his teams to feature German drivers and race at a German Grand Prix, but Vettel does not see how traditional European circuits can compete. "Other regions, other countries in Europe, are struggling," continued Vettel. "The places we're going to, the new venues were going to, it's great to explore, but it's also money-driven for the sport, I guess, to develop the way they want to develop. "It is a shame losing out on Germany, it would be a shame losing out on Spa, it would be a shame losing out on Spain – which there was a lot of talk about. "If those countries are not ready to pay the high entry fees anymore, they will fall off that list, and that will be a shame, even some races you'd think have a guarantee such as Silverstone and Monza. "I don't know, we'll see what happens in the next few years. It would be great to answer your question if Germany [will be] back on the calendar, but I doubt it."
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