Built in 1939, the Hockenheim circuit was originally intended as a high-speed test track for Mercedes Benz, who needed a test venue for the Tripoli Grand Prix. The original track measured a staggering 8km in length and was originally made up of two long curved straights with a long corner at both ends.
 

The construction of the circuit was stopped when World War II broke out in Europe. With the end of the war, Nurburgring became the venue for Formula One, with Hockenheim playing host to smaller events. With government plans to buld an Autobahn through the circuit, a generous compensation package was offered to Hockenheim. 
 

The package was put to good use with the construction of a new circuit. The new circuit was built through the surrounding forests and looped into the stadium section around which large grandstands were constructed. 

Hockenheim would become the focus of a media frenzy for all the wrong reasons when the great Jim Clark was tragically killed in an F2 race in 1968. 

This did not stop Hockenheim from hosting the prestigious Formula One event in 1970 with the notorious Nurburgring quickly becoming outdated compared to the more modern Hockenheim. However, the extensive upgrades to the Nurburgring would rob Hockenheim the right to host the Formula One when the sport returned to Nurburgring later that decade, leaving Hockenheim to host national and F2 events. 
 

In 1976, its rival circuit would suffer from its notorious reputation after Niki Lauda suffered horrific burns at the Nurburgring. From that point on, Hockenheim would become the home of the German Grand Prix. The circuit underwent several upgrades including the installation of a chicane to slow the fast Ostkurve, following the tragic death of Patrick Depailler during testing at the track in 1980.

Since making his Formula One debut, Michael Schumacher has lent the Hockenheim reputation as being one of the most atmospheric rounds in the calendar.

In 2002, the circuit layout underwent modifications, as the long runs through the forests were done away with. There was mixed reactions to the revised circuits with some arguing the track had lost some of its character. Nevertheless, the first race at the new track in 2002 was considered a success.

However, this did not end the rivalry between the two venues. At the end of the 2006 season, the sport's governing authority decided against having two German grand prix events in one calendar season, opting instead to rotate both locations. With the Nurburgring hosting the event in 2007, the Hockenheimring would take over in 2008, and thus it would continue.

Located in a small town in South-central Germany, the Hockenheimring is about 90km from the Frankfurt Am International Airport and is accessible by road from Frankfurt. Alternative airports include the Stuttgart Echterdingen Airport in the north-west, the Konrad Adenauer Airport at Koln/Bonn or the Dusseldorf Rhein Airport.



Technical Review on the German Grand Prix:

The Hockenheimring is a circuit with numerous slow and medium-fast cor-ners, which require a lot of downforce. At the same time, though, the Parabolika is a long flat-out section where straight-line speed is of the essence, as there is an overtaking opportunity under braking into the subsequent hairpin. However, as well as a high top speed you’ll also need good braking stability and optimum traction when accelerating out of the corner in order to nail a passing move here. Hockenheim alternates on the F1 calendar with the Nürburgring, which seems to be a good solution. The modern Hockenheimring lacks the character of the old track with its long forest straights, but the new circuit also has a lot of plus points. The fans can see more, the track is safer and there’s a great overtaking opportunity on the exit from the Parabolika.”

PAST WINNERS:

Year	Driver	Year	Driver
2006	M. Schumacher (Ferrari)	1996	D. Hill (Williams)
2005	F. Alonso (Renault)	1995	M. Schumacher (Benetton)
2004	M. Schumacher (Ferrari)	1994	G. Berger (Ferrari)
2003	J. P. Montoya (Williams)	1993	A. Prost (Williams)
2002	M. Schumacher (Ferrari)	1992	N. Mansell (Williams)
2001	R. Schumacher (Williams)	1991	N. Mansell (Williams)
2000	R. Barrichello (Ferrari)	1990	A. Senna (McLaren)
1999	E. Irvine (Ferrari)	1989	A. Senna (McLaren)
1998	M. Häkkinen (McLaren)	1988	A. Senna (McLaren)
1997	G. Berger (Benetton)	1987	N. Piquet (Williams)