Hockenheim heading for F1 comeback? Investors pour millions into renovation
F1 News
- Nicole Mulder
The German Grand Prix has been missing from the Formula 1 calendar for years, but a return in the future could just be possible. For that, the Hockenheimring has a long way to go, but an important first step has been taken: a group of investors has taken over the circuit and is investing millions to make it fit for the future.
Hockenheim invests millions in circuit
The investor group emodrom will invest 250 million euros in the Hockenheimring over the next five to 10 years. The circuit's city council also approved the sale of 74.99 per cent of the shares in Hockenheimring GmbH to the new investors. The emodrom Group will pay around six million euros.
Tim Brauer, managing director of the emodrom Group, explains the plans. "We have been working in the background for more than four years to further develop the Hockenheimring as a leading racing circuit and are now keen to realise future-oriented projects. Of course, we are also thinking about Formula 1, but we approach such considerations with great caution," Brauer is quoted by Welt.
Investors have already injected some 40 million euros in the Hockenheimring in recent years. Besides the expansion of the Porsche Experience Centre, the construction of a hotel and a Motorworld, the Hockenheimring is to be refurbished and made interesting again for the king class of motorsport, F1.
"We are not going to do anything crazy financially, but we are trying to find ways to bring Formula 1 back to Germany," Brauer confirmed. The last time a Formula 1 race was held in Germany was at the Nürburgring in 2020. Hockenheim hosted for the last time in 2019. After a spectacular wet race, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line as the winner then.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi