Stefano Domenicali insists that the door remains open for the return of the French and German Grands Prix. An appealing statement for those nostalgic for the past, but far less concrete when considering an already saturated calendar, candidates from every continent, and a Formula 1 that no longer allocates its slots solely based on historical precedent.
Domenicali: "My phone is always available to organize a race."
The phone of Stefano domenicali would be constantly approached by countries eager to host the Formula 1This is excellent news for his phone company, but not necessarily for French and German fans.
The F1 president confirmed the resumption of discussions with Germany and reiterated that France could return to the calendar. On paper, the championship thus seems ready to reconnect with two of its historic markets. In reality, however, no agreement, circuit, or date has yet been announced.
En Formulas In modern times, an open door doesn't necessarily mean a Grand Prix can pass through it. You still need to arrive with a promoter, public guarantees, a profitable project, and a financial proposal capable of withstanding international competition.
France hears "come on, let's do it"... but is still looking for who will pay.
Sundays He cited France as one of the European countries likely to return. He praised F1's relationship with Canal + and assured that the absence of a French Grand Prix was not the result of a lack of interest in the championship.
“My phone is always available to arrange a race,” he said, implicitly inviting French officials to move forward with a real plan.
Accuracy is important. Sundays He's not announcing the return of the French Grand Prix. He's mainly explaining that F1 would be willing to listen to an offer.
The last French edition was held at the Paul Ricard circuit in July 2022. Max Verstappen had won it after the withdrawal of Charles Leclercwho crashed while leading the race. Since then, France still has drivers, a television channel, spectators, and several circuits. It simply lacks the seemingly essential detail: a promoter capable of providing long-term funding for the event.
Canal + The channel can broadcast a race. It cannot, on its own, build the grandstands, organize transportation, cover hosting fees, and convince local authorities to open their wallets. Unless Domenicali plans to hold the Grand Prix directly in the television studios.
Germany is back in the conversation, but not yet on the calendar
The discourse is slightly more advanced regarding Germany. Sundays confirmed that contacts had been re-established, while taking care to specify that a return would be considered "in the medium term" and not immediately.
In other words, F1 is in talks with Germany again. However, it has not yet sent them an invitation.
Hockenheim hosted the last Grand Prix officially named after Germany in 2019. The Nürburgring then returned exceptionally in 2020 as the Eifel Grand Prix, as part of the calendar revised by the pandemic.
Discussions involving Hockenheim continue to face the same obstacle: the financial demands for hosting a race. The circuit hopes to boost its appeal through new investments, but no firm bid has yet resulted in a contract with F1.
This is the whole German paradox. The country is home to Mercedes, has a huge automotive history and has produced Michael Schumacher et Sebastian Vettel. But in Formula 1 In contemporary times, a glorious past does not constitute a bank guarantee.
A full schedule and a global queue
The main problem for France and Germany is not just their funding. It also relates to the number of places available.
F1 does not want to exceed 24 Grands Prix per season. However, Portugal will return to Portimão in 2027 and 2028, while Turkey has signed a five-year contract to return to Istanbul Park from 2027. These two agreements already occupy some of the few slots freed up by the departure of Zandvoort and the rotation of certain European races.
Spa-Francorchamps and Barcelona have agreed to a rotation system. The Belgian circuit will be on the calendar in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031, but will be absent during certain seasons. This method allows F1 to welcome new destinations without exceeding its limit, while avoiding the permanent removal of some historic venues.
France and Germany could theoretically join this system. But that would likely mean another European Grand Prix would have to be temporarily cancelled.
Sundays It can therefore promise to preserve the discipline's legacy. Its calendar, however, increasingly resembles a game of musical chairs where the seats cost tens of millions.
Africa, South America, and Asia also want their share
The two European countries are not the only ones knocking on the door. Sundays states that negotiations are progressing in Africa and that discussions are also taking place in South America and the Far East.
Formula 1 has been seeking to organize a race on the African continent for several years. It is also exploring new markets in Asia and South America, with Argentina frequently mentioned as a destination. However, none of these projects has yet been formalized with a contract.
The word "exotic" often comes up when discussing these future destinations. It allows them to sell a dream while avoiding immediate discussion of organizational rights, infrastructure, transportation, or economic viability.
A beach, a major city, and a spectacular computer presentation are now all it takes to create a Grand Prix rumor. To actually get the race, you then need to add a lot of money.
Before conquering the world, F1 is already trying to save its 2026 calendar.
The grand ambitions of Sundays these developments come at a time when F1 still needs to stabilize the end of its current season.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, initially scheduled for April, were cancelled due to the security situation in the Middle East. A race is now to be held in Sepang, Malaysia, on October 4th, under the banner of the Bahrain Grand Prix and with Bahraini financial support. Therefore, this is not a true return to Sakhir, contrary to what the initial wording of some articles might have suggested.
Imola has not yet been definitively added to the calendar. The Italian circuit is being considered as a backup plan should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, scheduled for the end of the season, be unable to take place. Sundays indicated that a decision would be made around mid-September.
So here we have a Formula 1 that announces it wants to conquer France, Germany, Africa, Asia and South America, while still not knowing precisely where its championship will end in four months.
Global expansion can obviously wait. For now, the calendar service is already working without a lunch break.
The story is welcome, but it needs to become profitable.
The return of France and Germany would make perfect sporting sense. These countries have a large fan base, a deep-rooted motorsport culture, and circuits capable of hosting the sport.
But F1 of Liberty Medium It no longer chooses its destinations solely based on their heritage. It seeks events capable of generating revenue, full stands, strong international exposure, and a comprehensive business experience.
Sundays This does not close the door to traditional circuits. It simply asks them to present themselves with the same financial power as the new candidates.
The message addressed to France and Germany is ultimately quite simple: the Formula 1 would be delighted to reunite with her old flames, provided they pay the bill.
