George Russell and Oscar Piastri agree that they’d like to see Nurburgring return to F1 calendar

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George Russell and Oscar Piastri would like to see the iconic Nurburgring circuit return to the Formula 1 calendar in the future.

The Nurburgring was a staple of the calendar during various periods of the sport’s history. It originally ran on the notorious Nordschleife layout until Niki Lauda’s horror crash in 1976, after which F1 never returned to that part of the track.

In recent history, F1 has used the modern GP circuit, alternating the German Grand Prix between the Nurburgring and Hockenheim. After coming off the calendar in 2013, the former hosted a race in the 2020 COVID-19 season, but has not returned since.

F1 is back in Germany for the first time since 2020 for a Pirelli tyre test

If you could bring one German circuit back to the calendar, which would it be? 👇

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Now, it is mainly being used for testing purposes, with Mercedes and McLaren conducting Pirelli tyre tests for the 2027 season and regulations. F1 drivers are also commonly seen at the Nurburgring for other categories, with Max Verstappen racing GT3 cars.

Russell and Piastri have been at the Nurburgring for Mercedes and McLaren this week, and they have both agreed that the circuit should return.

George Russell and Oscar Piastri want the Nurburgring back in F1

The Mercedes driver, who is second in the championship behind teammate Kimi Antonelli, spoke to Sky Sports about the Pirelli tyre test and how much he enjoys driving around the Nurburgring.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed driving this morning, I really love the Nurburgring. I’ve done a few laps of the Nordschleife as well, really, really love that.

“It truly is a traditional old school circuit. Yeah, I’d love to be back racing here one day. And of course, we have no race in Germany at the moment, and with Mercedes, it would probably be nicer to have one back on the calendar.”

When Piastri was also asked about the iconic track returning to F1, he replied: “Sure, I don’t mind it. It’s not my favourite track ever, but it’s a really cool place in terms of how unique it is.

“There’s a lot of elevation change, obviously the history of this place is very cool as well. And again, it’s a very old school track, which I think as drivers, we always enjoy that part of things.

“Even if the layout is different from circuit to circuit, the kind of old-school nature of the curbs and the runoffs is always more rewarding when you get things right. So, it would be cool, but we’ll see.”

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Could the Nurburgring return to F1?

A return to the Nurburgring and the German GP could be possible, given how Liberty Media want to add more circuits to the calendar without extending it beyond the current 24-race schedule.

Spa and Barcelona have signed rotation contracts, which will see their slots alternate with another track. The Portuguese Grand Prix will return in 2027 at Portimao.

There was talk that the Turkish Grand Prix could return as well, while the Indian Grand Prix has claimed it will return in 2027, but F1 have seemingly shut that down.

Having the German GP back on the calendar would be a welcome return among fans and drivers, and especially the teams, now that the nation has Mercedes and Audi on the F1 grid.