Sebastian Vettel slams ‘stupid’ reason preventing return of Formula 1 Grand Prix

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Sebastian Vettel believes it will be a ‘long time’ before there is a German Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar again amid dwindling interest among local fans and sponsors.

There has not been a German GP in Formula 1 since the 2019 season when the series visited Hockenheim. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race from Vettel during the German’s time with Ferrari. The four-time F1 champion only won his home race once with Red Bull in 2013.

Vettel won the German GP whilst the Nurburgring hosted the event. The historic circuit also held an Eifel GP during the Covid-disrupted 2020 season with Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton beating Verstappen. Vettel finished the race in P11 for his worst home result when finishing.

Vettel believes it is ‘stupid for fans’ to not have a German GP in F1

Formula 1 has continued to expand its calendar since the last German GP in 2019. That year featured 21 races and the series intended for a record 22-race season in 2020 but reduced it to 17 due to the pandemic. Plans then surfaced for a 23-race season in 2021 but it fell to 22.

Again, 22 was the magic number in 2022 after Formula 1 removed the Russian GP originally on the schedule. Formula 1 also broke new ground for 2023 with a record 24-race calendar. Yet the total dropped to 22 with the cancellations of the Chinese GP and Emilia Romagna GP.

A record year awaits in 2024, though, as Formula 1 again intends to hold 24 races with China and Emilia Romagna back on the calendar. But, still, there is not a place for the return of the German GP. And Vettel feels it will be a while yet before Formula 1 has a German GP again.

“I think we won’t see a Grand Prix in Germany for a long time,” Vettel has admitted to Sports Illustrated, as cited by Sky Germany. “I think it’s a shame but I understand why. The decisive pressure from the German automotive industry may also be missing. That’s stupid for fans.”

Vettel feels Formula 1 has become ‘too expensive’ and ‘too exclusive’

But while Vettel claims it is ‘stupid’ for Formula 1’s fanbase to not have a German GP on the calendar, he also recognises that the sport is losing interest among the country’s population.

“I don’t know why,” Vettel added ahead of the United States GP, now one of three races held in the USA. “There could be many reasons. Maybe we’re too fed up [or] spoiled for success? One thing is certain: motorsport has become too expensive and, therefore, too exclusive.

“Perhaps the lack of interest leads to a lack of financial resources on the part [of] sponsors or the industry to encourage young talent here. But are they sufficiently supported? Is it made easier for them to get started? Getting into motorsport is very expensive.”

How much does it cost to get into Formula 1?

According to RaceFans in July 2021, drivers hoping to get into Formula 1 would have needed to spend anywhere up to $7m (£6m) to fund their junior careers. That includes $2m (£1.5m) just to cover a six-year karting career before even stepping foot into a single-seater race car.

A Formula 4 seat is the natural progression from karting but it costs from $250-500k (£200-400k) each season. Young hopefuls would then need around $1m (£800k) to graduate up to Formula 3 and $3m (£2.5m) for Formula 2. But the fees needed to progress continue to rise.