The Nurburgring budget challenged by the Greens

The German ecological party intends to exert its full influence in the new political landscape of the Land since its traditional partner, the SPD, has lost its absolute majority there. The Social Democrats have therefore had to form an alliance with the Greens.

But for now, they are not addressing the ecological impact that Formula 1 could have on the magnificent forests of the Eifel Mountains: it is the economic impact that the green hell has on public finances. Thus, Daniel Kobler, the president of the Green Party, states: “I have nothing against car races in the Eifel. I simply have a problem with taxpayers’ money allowing millions or billions to be turned into profits for F1. In our negotiations with the SPD, we will work to eliminate these subsidies to the Ring in the near future.”

However, measures have already been put in place to reduce the impact on local finances: during the heyday of Michael Schumacher, Germany had two events on its soil with Hockenheim and the Nurburgring hosting the German and European events, respectively. Since then, the European Grand Prix has moved to Valencia to satisfy Spanish fans of Fernando Alonso. The two German circuits have therefore taken turns organizing the German Grand Prix since 2008.

If the politicians’ project were to succeed, the Nurburgring could become only the third circuit to completely do without public funding after Silverstone and Suzuka. This does not prevent the British circuit from having secured a seventeen-year contract with Formula 1 to finance extensive works.

Otherwise, the event could only return to Hockenheim since it seems unimaginable for Formula 1 to do without Germany when Mercedes has never been so present in the premier category and six drivers (Timo Glock, Nick Heidfeld, Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher, Adrian Sutil, and Sebastian Vettel) are present on the grid.

With the participation of RacingBusiness.fr