Sebastian Vettel Blames $55,000,000 Hosting Fee Behind Absence of F1 From Germany

F1 is mainly a European sport because most of the teams have their bases on this continent. Since it is very popular in Europe, Germany is one of the countries which has also been a hub for it until recent times. As this has been kept out of the calendar for four years now, Sebastian Vettel has revealed that the hosting fee of $55,000,000 is the reason behind it, as per Sports Illustrated.

Germany hosted its last race in 2019 and has been a hotspot for F1 drivers and the sport as a whole. The country not only provided multiple stunning tracks but also gifted the sport multiple world champions such as Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Vettel, etc.

This country also had a huge fan base because of the presence of so many drivers. Now, as F1 does not venture into the country anymore, there are still ample fans nevertheless, even after renowned drivers like Vettel and Mick Schumacher left the sport.

Vettel revealed why F1 does not take place in Germany anymore

Vettel has recently opened up about why his country is no longer seen in the F1 calendar. Talking about this, he shared as per Sports Illustrated, “I think we won’t see a Grand Prix in Germany for a long time. I think it’s a shame, but I understand why.”

Following this, he added, “A Formula 1 race is very expensive for the respective country. There is also perhaps a lack of decisive pressure from the German automotive industry. That’s stupid for fans.” Admittedly, organizers need to pay around $55 million to host a race.

F1 recently has become very popular worldwide after the mega boost by Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The sport has gained hundreds of thousands of fans in the United States and then all over the world, and this is said to be the reason why the sport has gotten hugely expensive because everyone wants a piece of the pie.

Germany in F1 over the years

The first ever German Grand Prix was held in 1926, and from there, 75 races have been held in this country. As things stand, the 2024 F1 calendar also does not feature the German GP.

Germany has some iconic tracks, such as Nurburgring, Hockenheimring, Deutschlandring, and AVUS Berlin. However, with a few drivers on track, there are fewer chances of Germany making its comeback.

As Mick Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Nico Rosberg are all out of the F1 grid, this left Nico Hulkenberg as the only driver to be representing Germany. Hulkenberg rejoined the grid with Haas this year alongside Kevin Magnussen.