"Provided the state does not contribute..." 17 September 2025 - 13:33 Despite discussions about Germany making a return to the Formula 1 calendar, Ralf Schumacher believes the country faces too many challenges to reinstate its presence soon. F1 has already announced the 2026 schedule, featuring 24 races and six newly confirmed sprint events, including new hosts Canada, Zandvoort, and Singapore. Germany is not included in this lineup, although the F1 CEO has recently suggested a possible return to Hockenheim or the Nurburgring, particularly with Audi entering the sport and Mercedes already involved. However, Schumacher mentioned to T-Online that German motorsport is declining. "In Germany, we currently have approximately 700 karting racing licenses, and that number is decreasing," he noted. "In England, for instance, there are around 4000. Karting is thriving there and in Italy, but here in Germany, it is gradually being phased out. There are hardly any proper kart tracks left, and the number of racing series is dwindling. "It’s quite straightforward – if I remove football fields, there will be fewer football players, and that’s exactly the situation we’re facing in racing." To address this, Mercedes and ADAC have launched a partnership to support a German driver on the path to F1. Nonetheless, Schumacher believes manufacturers must also work together to restore Germany’s position on the calendar. "Collaborations are crucial," the former F1 driver stated. "If Mercedes and Audi ever decide to unite in this effort, progress could be made. I would love to see that happen." However, Schumacher remains doubtful about a return without government support. "As long as the state does not invest financial resources—resources it would regain through the tourism generated by the race—it won't succeed," he argued. "Entry fees have become so high that the organizer must provide a comprehensive security package involving police and fire departments – Hockenheim won’t be able to generate sufficient revenue. You don’t need a math degree to understand that it won’t work. "But I still hold onto hope."

      Three iconic automakers exchanged high-performance vehicles at a renowned test track, pushing boundaries and sharing candid reactions.

      16 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      Leaders from three sports car manufacturers convened at Top Gear HQ for an extraordinary test. Mate Rimac drove the Koenigsegg CC850 and Singer DLS with a sense of urgency as if they were his own. The limited-edition Bugatti Mistral was also put to the test alongside the Nevera R.

      For years, Mate Rimac and Christian von Koenigsegg have been in fierce competition for world records, yet they maintain a strong mutual respect for one another and are enthusiastic admirers of each other's brands. Thus, when Top Gear invited them to their test track to drive each other's cars, it was no surprise that they were highly impressed with their experiences.

      The clips are part of an ongoing Top Gear series where hypercar executives test each other's vehicles. Last year, Rimac and Koenigsegg shared the track with John Hennessey, driving the Jesko Attack, Nevera, and Venom F5 Revolution.

      This time, they were accompanied by Rob Dickinson, whose name may be less recognized but, as the founder of Singer, is responsible for some of the most sought-after 911 reimaginings globally. Although Singer doesn’t produce hypercars, its exquisitely redesigned Porsches come with hypercar-level price tags.

      A Transmission Like No Other

      Koenigsegg brought its latest hypercar, the CC850, to the test. Mate Rimac was the first to take the wheel, immediately showing great interest in its unique gated six-speed manual gearbox, which can also function as a conventional automatic. Used to handling fast cars, Rimac wasted no time in pushing the car to its limits to experience the transmission's old-school feel.

      Rob Dickinson also enjoyed his time in the CC850 before Christian von Koenigsegg joined Mate for a drive in the exclusive Bugatti Mistral. Both Christian and Mate then had the opportunity to drive one of Singer’s stunning DLS 911s; while it isn’t a hypercar, it offers a comparable level of driving thrill. Mate specifically praised the transmission and noted in the video that he has already ordered his own Singer.

      Toward the video’s conclusion, he showcased the new Nevera R. Although it lacks the emotional connection of the CC850 or Singer DLS, it delivers a different kind of exhilarating straight-line performance.

      If you had the opportunity to drive one of these thrilling creations, which one would you pick?