Hockenheim 396

Hockenheim

On April 7 1968, in an accident that was never fully explained, Jim Clark died during the Formula 2 Deutschland Trophäe race at Hockenheim.

On April 7 1968, in an accident that was never fully explained, Jim Clark died during the Formula 2 Deutschland Trophäe race at Hockenheim. Although the circuit has held the German Grand Prix since 1977, alternating with the Nürburgring in recent years, it is still Clark’s death for which it is best known. The circuit originally stretched from the edge of Hockenheim town to the Ost Kurve. When the Autobahn was built in 1966, the circuit was reduced in length and redesigned by John Hugenholtz, who introduced a tight stadium section around the pits. Hockenheim first held the Grand Prix in 1970 while the Nurburgring was being modernised. Chicanes were built on the two main flat-out sections for that race and a third added at the demanding Ost Kurve after Patrick Depailler was killed while testing in 1980. Visibility was appalling in the wet due to the dense woodland and that was a contributing factor to the accident that ended Didier Pironi’s career in 1982. Hockenheim’s lap was among Formula 1’s longest and most unique, but a new section linking the first and third chicanes and bypassing the Ost Kurve was built for the 2002 Grand Prix. As a result, drivers lost the full-throttle blast through the forests that had given Hockenheim its character. However, the Hermann Tilke-designed new layout has prompted plenty of good racing with the wide, new hairpin a prime overtaking opportunity. The cost of hosting the Grand Prix has meant that Hockenheim has shared the race with the Nurburgring in recent years.

Grand Prix Circuit

Type

Permanent road course

Length

2.842 (Miles)

Change

Ost Kurve bypassed by new section between old first and third chicanes

Fastest Race Lap

Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren MP4/19B-Mercedes-Benz), 1m13.780, 138.672 mph, F1, 2004

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari SF71H), 1m11.212, 143.672 mph, F1, 2018

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.239 (Miles)

Change

Chicanes re-profiled

Fastest Race Lap

Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams FW23-BMW), 1m41.808, 149.894 mph, F1, 2001

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams FW23-BMW), 1m38.117, 155.533 mph, F1, 2001

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.234 (Miles)

Change

Ost Kurve chicane tightened

Fastest Race Lap

Riccardo Patrese (Williams FW14B-Renault), 1m41.591, 150.037 mph, F1, 1992

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Nigel Mansell (Williams FW14B-Renault), 1m37.960, 155.598 mph, F1, 1992

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.227 (Miles)

Change

First chicane reconstructed and Ost Kurve chicane introduced for cars

Fastest Race Lap

Riccardo Patrese (Williams FW14-Renault), 1m43.569, 146.928 mph, F1, 1991

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Nigel Mansell (Williams FW14-Renault), 1m37.087, 156.738 mph, F1, 1991

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.219 (Miles)

Change

Chicanes built on the two main straights, first used 1970 German GP. Circuit retained for motorcycles until 2001

Fastest Race Lap

Alan Jones (Williams FW07B-Ford), 1m48.49, 139.998 mph, F1, 1980

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Alan Jones (Williams FW07B-Ford), 1m45.85, 143.490 mph, F1, 1980

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.206 (Miles)

Change

Western section replaced by new pit straight and stadium complex

Fastest Race Lap

Dieter Quester (BMW 269/F2), 1m58.7, 127.562 mph, F2, 1970

Fastest Qualifying Lap

Jochen Rindt (Lotus 69-Ford), 1m58.5, 127.777 mph, F2, 1970

Type

Permanent road course

Length

4.779 (Miles)

Change

Original circuit

National Circuit

Type

Permanent road course

Length

2.321 (Miles)

Type

Permanent road course

Length

1.618 (Miles)

Type

Permanent road course

Length

1.639 (Miles)

Type

Permanent road course

Length

1.637 (Miles)

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