German GP

Back after a year's absence from the calendar, the Hockenheimring remains the favourite for millions of fans across the world. Even though the dramatic full throttle blast through the German Black Forest has been sadly chopped off and the new lay out by Hermann Tilke isn't as charged up as the former layout, the German GP still stands tall in popularity.

Initially constructed in 1932 as an alternative to the Wildpark-Circuit in Karlsruhe, the Hockenheim circuit was expanded in 1936 as a test-track for Mercedes and Auto Union.

World War II took a heavy toll on the track and post war the circuit was in the need of some major reconstruction. Around the same time, plans for building the Autobahn were being carved out and soon the German government agreed to construct the Autobahn through the Hockenheim circuit. This project helped the circuit authorities get the financial backup needed to resurrect the track and the new oval circuit of Hockenheimring was constructed. This new circuit comprised of an extremely flat and sweeping layout, which cut through the forest before again looping into the stadium section of the track.

The Hockenheimring hosted its first German Formula One Grand Prix in the year 1970 following the boycott of the Nürburgring circuit in Germany by F1 drivers, due to its deteriorating condition. Austrian racing star, Jochen Rindt, took the victory at this 1970 German Grand Prix (GP) hosted by the Hockenheimring .

The German GP was reshifted to the Nürburgring in 1971 before again coming back to the Hockenheimring in 1977. The horrifying crash of Formula one legend, Niki Lauda, at the Nürburgring in the 1976 German GP, was the main reason for this shift. The Hockenheimring has since been home to the German GP with the notable exception of the 1985 GP, which was again hosted by the Nürburgring. Since 1977, the Hockenheimring saw quite a few minor renovations from 1977 until 2001 before its heavy remodelling in 2002.

The introduction of a chicane, at the Ostkurve in 1980, was perhaps the most notable change introduced in the circuit between 1977 and 2001. The fundamental reason behind the construction of this chicane was to reduce the speed at the Ostkurve, which claimed the life of Patrick Depailler in the 1980 GP. In 2002 the Hockenheimring underwent drastic modifications to keep up with the ever-increasing safety standards of the F1 championship. The long runaway of the track through the forest was scrapped and a brand new layout, designed by Hermann Tilke, was installed.

Considered a bit slower than its previous version, the Hockenheimring still favours a powerful engine than a stronger chassis. Kimi Räikkönen currently holds the record for clocking the fastest lap at this circuit. He recorded an astounding 1:13.780 in the 2004 German GP. However, it is Michael Schumacher who has clearly dominated the Hockenheimring in the past few years. Schumacher has registered alternate victories in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 German GPs.

Recent Results:

2009: German GP shifted to Nurburgring
2008: Lewis Hamilton (McLaren Mercedes)
2007: Cancelled
2006: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
2005: Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2004: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)