Brave new world for Hockenheimring
Hockenheim has changed dramatically with the long forest straights now a thing of the past.
Picture: Tilke GmbH
This weekend sees the debut of the new Hockenheimring at the German Grand Prix. While the decision to replace the flat out blasts through the forests with a new, Hermann Tilke-designed circuit has been controversial - and greeted with dismay by many - the new layout should, say Hockenheim authorities, encourage closer racing than before.
The circuit was originally a 4.78 mile blast, which went from the Ostkurve to the edge of the town of Hockenheim. When the Autobahn past the town was built in 1965, the track was cut in two, and a new Motodrom section was designed by John Hugenholz, the resulting track being 4.206 miles long.
Here, e-Tracks details in full the changes at the new circuit, so you can make up your own mind as to whether it is a leap into the future, or a terrible step backwards.
On February 4 , 2002 the diggers moved in to start the most extensive construction measures at the Hockenheimring since 1965 (when the Motodrom was built - see panel).
The circuit owners had been forced to make the changes at the insistence of the FIA, who felt that at 6.8 kilometers the circuit was too long, with the long stretches in the forest not accessible to spectators.
The aim was to create a circuit around which Formula One would lap at between 1m 10s and 1m30s, with an average speed of around 200 km/h.
At the same time, the circuit was keen to upgrade facilities to ensure the race stayed at Hockenheim. New stands meant that spectator capacity increased from 83,000 to 120,000.
At the end of 1999, the first plans for the new circuit were released, and a referendum in the area showed 80.2 percent of locals were in favour.
In November 2000, the plans - which were revised to the current layout - were approved by the regional government of Baden-Wuerttemberg, with building permits issued in December 2001. The first trees then came down on January 2 and construction began in earnest.
The new lap
The new 4.574km/2.842 mile circuit features a total of 17 corners, 10 of them brand new. The first change occurs at turn one, which has been brought back further towards the startline to create a new asphalt run-off area. The result is a turn reminiscent of Copse Corner at Silverstone.
The bold new Mercedes grandstand.
Picture: ITR
A short straight then leads to a right/left curve combination with a long parabolic curve of just over 1km following, on which speeds up to 315 km/h are expected. At the end lies a sharp a hairpin, which is likely to provide the main overtaking opportunities. A series of corners overlooked by a 32,000 seat grandstand follows, creating a new Motodrom. The course then continues to the finish line as before.
Other changes include:
- Extension of the south grandstand with 2,500 seats and 16 VIP lounges.
- The new 6,300 seat Mercedes Grandstand, financed with advanced ticket purchases by Daimler Chrysler.
- Baden-Wuerttemberg Centre: located in the paddock, this includes new admin offices, a new media centre and a Bistro restaurant for 100 people.
- The north stand hotel is also being extended to include 74 new rooms, two-thirds of which overlook the start/finish line.
Discuss this feature story in the e-Tracks forums.
