The Nurburgring has voiced its interest in talks with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali over the future of the German Grand Prix.
Earlier this week, the Italian called it “regrettable” that Germany would be absent from the calendar for the second straight year in 2022 but stated the reason was due to a lack of interest shown.
That triggered an immediate response from the Nurburgring, which made a one-off return as part of the Covid schedule in 2020, insisting F1 was still more than welcome.
“We are still willing to talk,” Alexander Gerhard, communications director of the circuit’s operating company, was quoted by Sky Germany as telling the media.
“We continue to take the view that we can very well imagine Formula 1 at the Nurburgring but under economically sensible general conditions.”
Prior to 2020, the track, which held its comeback race under the Eifel Grand Prix moniker, had not been on the F1 calendar since 2013, while Hockenheim last held back-to-back events in 2018 and 2019, the latter thanks to support from Mercedes.
Gerhard also did not rule out a return to the previous model used between 2008-2013, when the Nurburgring and Hockenheim alternated in hosting the German GP.
Perhaps his most outlandish suggestion though was that the historic venue could still see a day when F1 once again raced on the 20km Nordschleife, which was last used in 1976.
“As an idea, you are allowed to position the Nordschleife because it has a great tradition,” he said.
“I would never completely reject this idea, nevertheless there would have to be talks with all parties involved.
“That would be the third step, not the first.”
Whether the idea is feasible, however, given how the ‘Green Hell’ would need to be brought up to modern FIA Grade 1 safety standards, is a very different question.