Nurburgring in Talks for 2019 Return to F1

The Nurburgring circuit authorities are in discussions with Formula 1 bosses regarding a return to the calendar in 2019. Financial challenges and an ownership change prevented the circuit from hosting F1 since 2013. But with Mirco Markfort as chief executive officer, the venue can entertain the thought of hosting an F1 race.

Liberty Media too is keen to maintain their foothold in Europe. In fact, the French Grand Prix will make its return this year for the first time after a 10-year absence. Meanwhile, the German Grand Prix returns to the F1 calendar after a one-year hiatus. But Hockenheim will be playing host this time.

Markfort would love nothing more than see F1 return to the Nurburgring. It is believed that he met with F1 chief Chase Carey at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to discuss the possibility and talks have since continued.

Markfort said, “We really would appreciate to have the Formula 1 back at the Nurburgring in 2019. This will only be possible if we take meaningful economic surrounding conditions into consideration. We are able to confirm that there had been conversations with the owner of the Formula 1, Liberty Media.”

In its long and illustrious history, the Nurburgring has hosted 40 grands prix. The first of these took place in 1951. It was the host of the European Grand Prix from 1984 until 2007. From 2009 onwards, it and the Hockenheim circuit began to alternately host the German Grand Prix. That was, until 2015 when the German Grand Prix was absent altogether.

The venue faces stiff competition to secure a place on the calendar. F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches said in September that he had received around 40 expressions of interest from potential venues over the course of the year. If the whispers are correct, Liberty Media plans to secure another race in the United States. Their options boil down to Las Vegas, New York and Miami.