Formula One Vault

Prixview – German Grand Prix

Round eleven of the season, sees Formula One return to Hockenheim for the German Grand Prix. The circuit was designed as a test track for Mercedes during the 1930’s, the circuit featured a twelve km triangle later was shortened to seven KM, this circuit remained in use until 2001.

The circuit was modified in the 1968, with the addition on the stadium following the death of Jim Clark. This saw the addition of the stadium and the Clark Chicane, at the site of his accident.

But Grand Prix racing mainly took place at the Nürburgring on the notorious Nordschleife. The Nürburgring Was a circuit which was very dangerous, and the circuit became one of F1’s most deadly track. Despite the organisers attempts to improve the ‘Green Hell’, the GPDA decide to boycott the race following the death of Piers Courage at Zandvoort.

The race was moved to Hockenheim temporally to allow the Nürburgring to be modified. The first race back at to the green hell, saw Sir Jackie Stewart take victory from  his teammate François Cevert. The 1972 event saw Jacky Ickx dominate in his Ferrari and Stewart crashed on the last lap after tangling with Clay Regazzoni. The 1973 race was dominated by Tyrrell teammates Stewart and Cevert; and it was to be the 27th and last victory of Stewart’s illustrious career.

The last race in the Nordschleife in 1976, saw Lauda crash out after losing control of the car and burned his Ferrari, He later went into a coma and nearly died, putting him out of action for six weeks. The event was red-flagged and restarted; long-time Grand Prix driver Chris Amon elected not to take the restart.

Hockenheim would once again become the home of the race, the career of Didier Pironi was brought to an end after he crashed into Alian Prost’s Renault. During the race, Nelson Piquet physically attacked Eliseo Salazar after Salazar punted off the irate Brazilian at the new Ostkurve chicane while leading the race.

Hockenheim was shortened to the current layout in 2002, this almost halved the length of the circuit following the removal of the forest straights, while new corners where added to increase the technical challenge of the circuit. Between 2007 and 2013, the race alternated with the Nurburgring.

Facts and figures

Fast facts

• Four German drivers have won the German Grand Prix since the championship started in 1950 – Michael and Ralf Schumacher, Vettel and Rosberg. Michael Schumacher won four times, once with Benetton and three times with Ferrari
• Seven of the ten races to date at the redesigned Hockenheim (since 2002) have been won from pole. Only once has the winner started off the front row (Alonso from third in 2005).
• In his first five Grand Prix’s at Hockenheim, Kimi Raikkonen retired. Despite starting from pole twice, but has never finished higher than third.
• Ferrari has scored points at Hockenheim in the last twenty-four races and has scored more points at the German circuit than any other team.
• Germany is the second most successful country in terms of drivers championship by number of drivers.

Event timetable

What happened in 2016?

Lewis Hamilton took a dominant victory to extend his lead over teammate Nico Rosberg in the championship. The then three times champion, lead every lap after pulling away from the German. It wasn’t the best race for Rosberg, he was dropped to fourth after a penalty for forcing Max Verstappen off. That dropped him behind Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo.

Rosberg was later forced to defend his position after the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel who couldn’t get past his countryman in the closing stages which meant they lost second to Red Bull in the championship.

What to watch for?

Hockenheim is the last in the series of circuits which should favor Mercedes. It requires good speed along the straights, but Mercedes could have Ferrari not far behind. Mercedes need to win really, as looking towards Budapest that looks like a circuit where they could struggle.

Lewis Hamilton needs to get a win after losing out to Sebastian Vettel at Silverstone This race looks like Red Bull maybe closer, but reading the pace and performance, the stadium section could be where they are strong. Vettel will however be putting pressure on Mercedes, he has never won his home race at Hockenheim.

2017 vs 2018 Race Data

Data Profile

A lap of …

Coming out of the SudKeure to go to the outside along the kerb before going across pole to start the lap were he takes the NordKerve to the outside to run down the straight to two. Goes in tight at two which sets him up nicely for three and four. Then for the long straight curve at the Parabolika good through.

Heading to the Hairpin going to the outside on exit before running to seven without breaking. Good through Mercedes heading to the kinks at nine and ten which a gain a good line there. Enters the stadium with a good line through Mobil 1 going great through Sachs before brief oversteer going to thirteen and fourteen.

Setting him up for good turn fifteen before going back through SudKurve and back to outside and across the line on a 01:14.363 to take pole.

Tyres

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