The Hockenheim circuit, the home of the German Grand Prix since 1977, has undergone significant changes – including an improvement in overtaking opportunities.
The Hockenheim circuit has hosted all the German Grand Prix events (with the exception of 1985) since 1977. But this year, the track has undergone significant changes.
Instead of the long tree-lined straights followed by chicanes of the previous layout, the new track is more akin to the others on the modern day F1 calendar. That, according to Williams-BMW’s chief operations engineer, Sam Michael, means a totally different approach to the German Grand Prix weekend.
"The changes made to the Hockenheim circuit mean the downforce and set-ups we will use are completely different to those used in the past," said Michael. "Likewise, it will change tyre selection and strategy. We will have very few changes to the cars because of the short amount of time between the two grands prix.
"The new circuit appears to be high downforce with a lot of slow speed corners. However, there are still two or three high speed corners and a long straight. Traction will be important because of a lot of accelerating from slow speed in low gears. We will have to do a lot of work during Friday practice to check brake performance, which is another unknown quantity on this new track," he added.
Last year’s German Grand Prix winner, Ralf Schumacher, has given the new 4,574-km circuit a definite thumbs-up.
"You now don’t have to drive into the woods on senseless unending straights anymore. The new circuit layout is certainly better and provides a greater challenge to the drivers," Schumacher said on the BMW website. “There is also a sad side to all this. After all, I did win here last year. There are definitely two places to overtake: the second corner after the start-finish line and the new hairpin.”
Ex-Formula One driver Jean Alesi, who currently competes in the German Touring Car (DTM) series, fully agrees with the Williams-BMW driver’s assessment, and has predicted a very exciting race on Sunday.
“This is a masterpiece of a racetrack, which I am sure both drivers and spectators will enjoy," Alesi said.
"The new part of the track offers everything a Formula One car needs for overtaking manoeuvres.
"First they approach the corner at more than 300 km/h, and then they have to slow down to about 80 km/h. The corner is wide enough to allow different lines. This is exemplary and I expect an exciting German Grand Prix.”
Due to the fact that the track has been shortened in length, the German Grand Prix will be extended to 67 laps instead of the normal 45.