Russell and Piastri back Nurburgring F1 return

George Russell and Oscar Piastri have voiced their support for the Nürburgring's return to the Formula 1 calendar after participating in a Pirelli tyre test at the historic German circuit. Both drivers praised its 'old school' character, with Russell expressing a strong desire to race there again, especially for Mercedes' home crowd. The test also provided a backdrop for Russell to address Mercedes' ongoing struggles with race starts this season.

Why it matters:

Driver feedback on circuits carries significant weight in the sport's commercial and sporting decisions. A push from popular and respected drivers like Russell and Piastri adds momentum to the conversation about reviving classic venues. Furthermore, with no current German Grand Prix, a return to the Nürburgring would re-engage a key European market and automotive heartland for F1.

The details:

• Driver Endorsement: George Russell was particularly enthusiastic, calling the track a "traditional old school circuit" and stating he "would love to be back racing here one day." He highlighted the absence of a German race as an opportunity.
• Piastri's Take: Oscar Piastri, while noting it wasn't his favorite track, acknowledged its unique appeal. He emphasized the rewarding challenge of its old-school nature, elevation changes, and rich history, concluding "it would be cool" to see it return.
• Test Context: The drivers were at the Nürburgring for a 2025 Pirelli tyre test, with Russell completing 127 laps and Piastri managing 65 due to a technical issue. The circuit last hosted F1 in 2020 for the Eifel Grand Prix.
• Mercedes' Start Issues: Separately, Russell confirmed the team is analyzing its poor race starts in 2024. He noted that while testing rules prevent practice starts during tyre tests, the team has "some ideas" on where they have been "falling short" and is working on solutions behind the scenes.

What's next:

While driver approval is a positive step, a calendar return for the Nürburgring depends on complex commercial negotiations, circuit upgrades, and space within F1's increasingly crowded schedule. For Mercedes, the focus remains on translating their "ideas" into tangible improvements on race starts, a critical performance factor that has cost them positions this season. The team will look to apply these lessons as the European season continues.