Regardless of F1 having fun with an increase in recognition world wide, triggered by its growth on social media and Netflix’s Drive to Survive sequence, not all international locations have gone by way of the identical factor.
One place the place F1’s recognition has stalled is Germany. The nation has not hosted an F1 race for the reason that Eifel Grand Prix on the Nurburgring in 2020, and its most iconic world champion racers – Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg – now not compete.
Issues have additionally not been helped by the transition away from free-to-air tv and to Pay TV, which has put an extra cap on potential viewership.
Haas driver Hulkenberg, who’s Germany’s solely F1 driver after Vettel retired on the finish of final yr, thinks there are a bunch of things behind why grand prix racing is struggling in Germany to keep up audiences – which embody environmental considerations.
“Germany was all the time spoiled in racing with Michael, then with Sebastian and Rosberg,” stated Hulkenberg. “Plus, with Mercedes, we have all the time had a really robust presence in F1 for a minimum of the final 30 years or so.
“I feel additionally generally the game is extra well-liked and has increased demand, after which naturally, most likely, it tails off generally.
“However then additionally, I feel, in Germany, the notion of on the whole the automobile automotive trade is it is like accountable for local weather change and just isn’t sustainable. And I feel that rubs off onto motorsport.
F1 no longers races in Germany
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
“That is why I feel the notion and what politicians inform the folks is that that is unhealthy, and one way or the other that has a unfavorable impression on racing in F1 too.”
Regardless of German curiosity not being tremendous excessive proper now, the approaching arrival of Audi’s works staff in 2026 might serve to fire up pleasure there in F1.
Moreover, F1 house owners Liberty Media have additionally been contemplating plans to get the German GP again on the calendar – maybe with the occasion being a type of that rotates with different venues.
Talking in 2022 concerning the potential for a German GP return, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated: “We actually hope that Germany may be again across the desk.
“However one factor is to say is we might wish to have the [German] Grand Prix. The opposite factor is to placed on the desk the issues which might be wanted to debate concerning the Grand Prix.
“So hopefully quickly – with one thing that would occur quickly – they may have a special state of affairs to debate with us.”
Hulkenberg stated that the presence of a German GP would have little impression on his profession, and isn’t anticipating it taking place any time quickly.
“I would not be towards it, in fact, but it surely would not make a distinction for me,” he stated.
“I do not anticipate it to occur. However I am not behind the scenes there and I do not know, perhaps some individuals are making an attempt to drag some strings.”
Extra reporting by Filip Cleeren