Race Date: 22 Jul 2012

Number of Laps: 60

Circuit Length: 5.148 km

Race Distance: 308.863 km

Lap Record: 1:29.468 - M. Schumacher (2004)

Nurburgring Circuit

Formula One Betting Online: The track was opened on 18 June 1927, after building work began in 1925, involving 3000 workers. The same year the Nürburgring hosted the Motorbike Grand Prix and the German Grand Prix for Race Cars. The new track was soon regarded as the German Race Course that had no equal anywhere in the world. In 1938 it was host to over 200,000 spectators.

However, the Second World War put a stop to all motor sport activities. In 1950, the first year of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the "Ring" went international again, and on the 1st August 1954 it hosted more than 400,000 spectators for the European Grand Prix.

In 1971 the track was rebuilt, safer but faster. After Niki Lauda´s accident in 1976, the Nürburgring was refused authorisation for Formula 1 races. A new and shorter course 4.556 m long was opened on 12 May 1984 hosting the European Grand Prix, and in 1985 German Formula 1 was back at the "Ring".

The Nürburgring didn't hold another Grand Prix until 1995, when it was won by Michael Schumacher. Since then it has been the venue for the Formula 1 and Motor Bike Championsship.

The German Grand Prix circuit can be found just to the side of Hockenheim, a small town located halfway between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. The nearest major city is Manaheim and interestingly this is where Carl Benz (who created the company that became Mercedes Benz) invented and produced the very first motor cars. In fact, a lot of industry popped up around Manheim and as a result the city was heavily bombed during World War Two. American troops occupied the area and have remained there with several military installations ever since. The region is also significant to archaeologists who found bones nearby that predated all existing evidence of human activity in Europe. The architecture around Hockenheim is quite special with a large number of castles, and this combined with its location in the Rhine Valley make it one of the most picturesque areas of Germany.

Circuit Origins

The current configuration at Hockenheim has only been around for five years but the old circuit's history goes way back to 1932. The track was built for motorcycle racing but Mercedes Benz expanded it in 1936 so they could use the facility for testing. The circuit consisted of two long straights that belted through the forest with a hairpin bend at each end. One of those corners was miles out in the wilderness but the other actually ran through Hockenheim, looping past the town's cemetery. This setup was discontinued in 1965 when an autobahn was built through the Rhine Valley cutting the circuit in half. The German Government financially compensated the track owners who used the opportunity to upgrade it to international standards. They added a few tight corners at the end of the lap known as the Stadium Section and this remains on the current layout today. The circuit was unbelievably fast so chicanes were added on the two straights after Jim Clark was killed there in the late sixties. Another chicane was built at the Ostkurve when Patrick Depailler was killed in 1980. This essentially meant the track consisted of four long straights that were joined together by tight chicanes. Each straight was over a kilometre long and this fast layout was deemed too dangerous, especially in the wet. The track was also poor for German race fans that would have to trek into the woods just to see the cars for a split second each lap. At the turn of the century a large portion of the forest was demolished and a modern track designed by Herman Tilke was constructed. This incarnation was used for the first time in 2002 and is deemed safer and more spectator friendly, albeit bland.

Racing History

The German Grand prix has usually been held in extreme European heat and that often takes a toll on machinery. The high track temperatures also create tyre problems and that turns out to be the most deciding factor over the weekend. Most teams encounter difficulty with their rubber during the race but the absence of a tyre war has levelled the playing field. Overtaking is possible at the back hairpin and there is typically a bit of craziness there on the first lap as the drivers try to find their braking point. The first corner has also provided plenty of action in the past but the wide tarmac exit gives the pack room to move. Some parts of the track are reasonably wide allowing drivers to pull alongside one another and there has been some great racing. Schumacher has taken three victories at the circuit but struggled massively in the other years when Michelin shod cars took easy wins.

2011 German Grand Prix Winner - Lewis Hamilton seals deal for German F1 Grand Prix

British F1 champion, Lewis Hamilton has surpassed all contenders of German Grand Prix to win the show. Hamilton in his second win of the current season was reported to have said that though he did not expect to win, this was one of his best races ever. He is still in the process of learning about his car but this win was fantastic and he hopes to continue this winning streak.

2011 German Grand Prix did not see Vettel competing for the top spot the first time instead saw Webber and Alonso competing for first place, with each of them vying for a clear path to success. It was in lap 12 that Hamilton due to an error in judgment allowed Webber to take the inner circle but rectified it soon after to regain his lead which saw him in good stead till end of the spectacular event. Continual effort on parts of Hamilton, Alonso and Webber to overtake and win only resulted in Hamilton making breathtaking victory.

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