Wolff: In Germany they do not want to invest in the Grand Prix

German drivers won ten Formula 1 titles in the 2000s. Michael Schumacher dominated from 2000 to 2004, winning five titles in a row, followed by Sebastian Vettel for four years, and Nico Rosberg beat Lewis Hamilton to become champion in 2016.

Then Germany suddenly lost interest in Formula 1 and the country has not organized a single Grand Prix since 2020. And in 2020, the Nürburgring podium only took place due to the Covid 19 pandemic, as other circuits were closed due to quarantine.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said in an interview with the Stuttgarter Zeitung that Germany is still suffering from a “hangover from Schumacher’s success.”

Toto Wolff: “This is a strange German phenomenon that no one can explain. Germany has always had great racers. The country lived under the name Michael Schumacher, until recently Vettel and Rosberg won races and titles.

Investments are needed to return Formula 1 to Germany. And before they can bear fruit, they first need someone to invest the money. I wonder: are the political and economic conditions in Germany suitable for people to want to invest in the Grand Prix?

Mercedes is a high-tech, innovative company, there are a lot of people in Germany who support us, but they don’t see the added value of holding the Grand Prix like in Austria, where politicians from all over the world support the race because they think that it is important for the country.”