HOCKENHEIM

Overview

The German GP is best known for its incredible straights through the forest where cars reached top speeds of around 350 kmph.

The newly developed circuit offers the modern Formula 1 additional opportunities for passing. Despite the reduction of more than 2 kilometers, the Hockenheimring will remain a top speed track.

The construction of two temporary new grandstands which will seat 32,000, as well as the Mercedes Grandstand, are the creation of a new "Motodrom". On the way into the Motodrom the drivers can expect a newly created, demanding combination of turns, in which the Formula 1 vehicles can ride up close to each other without disturbing the aerodynamics. This allows for exciting duels for the right position. Afterwards, they return to the Motodrom, where nothing significant has changed except for a few modifications to the south and north turns.

 
Specifications:

• Starting time: 14:00 CET
• Local time: CET
• First GP: 1970
• Circuit length: 4.574 km
• Race Laps: 67 
• Total distance: 306.458 km
• Winner 2005: Fernando Alonso
• Fastest Lap: Kimi Raikkonen - 2004, McLaren-Mercedes,  1:13.780

The first F1 race held here, in 1970, was dramatic, as Jochen Rindt drove his Lotus home, a nose in front of Jacky Ickx’s Ferrari. This circuit lacks character, basically a high-speed race through the forest, interrupted slightly by three chicanes, and is very hard on engines, but all the devoted Michael Schumacher fans look impressive in the stands, waving their Ferrari flags with pride.

The race returned to Hockenheim in 1977, in response to the drivers not wishing to race at the Nurburgring, following Niki Lauder’s near fatal accident in 1976. Lauder, ironically enough, won the 77 race.

The track was modified after the 2001 event, which was won by Michael Schumacher, the overall length drastically reduced. For 2002, the circuit's 70th anniversary, there was a new look and a new name, the "Hockenheimring Baden Württemberg". The popular long straights through the woods are now gone with new parts taking their place.

Where the circuit once went into the wood there is now a sharp right turn into the extremely long high speed left turn "Parabolika". This results a hairpin to be driven with maximum steering in first gear. After this huge corner there is now a right-left-right-again turning into the famous Motodrom with the unique stadium atmosphere. The shortened version saw laps increased from 67 laps instead of 45. Michael Schumacher was once again the winner, thrilling his home fans once again.

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