GPUpdate
Hockenheimring ~ Germany
| Circuit: | Hockenheimring |
| Country: | Germany |
| Length: | 4.574 |
| Lap record: | 0:01:13.783 (M. Schumacher) |
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This track was originally used as a test track for Mercedes, but became a venue for Formula One in 1970, while the Nurburgring was being modified. Sadly, this track is remembered mainly for the death of the great Jim Clark when he raced Formula 2000 in 1968.
The first F1 race held here, in 1970, was dramatic, as Jochen Rindt drove his Lotus home, a nose in front of J. 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 the Hockenhiem in 1977, in response to the drivers not wishing to race at the Nurburgring, following Nikki Lauda's near fatal accident in 1976. Lauder, ironically enough, won the 77 race.
Patrick Depaillar lost his life here, during testing in 1980.
The most memorable race at this circuit was in 1982, when N. Piquet made the headlines after trying to punch Eliseo Salazar after they collided.
It also saw Pironi badly injured during wet practice for the race, and his teammate, Patrick Tambay, went on to score an emotional win.
The craziest race held here would have to be 1994, when, the end of the first lap left saw only half the field remaining. Michael Schumacher retired, and G. Berger went on to give Ferrari their first win in 4 years.
The circuit underwent a face-lift ahead of the 2002 event. The track was made much shorter in a bid to improve racing and value to spectators.