, Hockenheim

Advantages: I'm excited what the new track will look like
Disadvantages: I do not like the old one

...(I'm german, and I appologize for my bad english) I was surprised to read that ciao members voted the grand prix in Hockenheim to the first place. In Germany the track gets criticized very much and people like the Nürburgring or the Sachsenring much more. The Sachenring is near Berlin and one of the modernst tracks in the world. This year the first time a race of the US Indianapolis Circuit was there. Last week ( Juli 2001) Bernie Eccelstone presented the decision that the Formula 1 will stay in Hockenheim for the next four years. First, when I heard this I was a little bit disappointed, because it is not clear that the Nürburgring will stay in the Formula 1 circuit. And Ecelstone said that in the Future some races in Europe will be cancelled and so I'm afraid that the Nürburgring will be one of them. But the good news is... Read review

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Advantages: Allows overtaking; very fast
Disadvantages: Not a classic layout; no atmosphere outside stadium

...Good grief. A circuit on which modern Formula One cars can overtake. No wonder Hockenheim is so little regarded in certain quarters... although its unpopularity could be regarded as being a lingering resentment at the removal of the "proper" Nürburgring in 1977. As we saw this last weekend, however, Hockenheim may not be the most technically challenging track on the calendar, being essentially made up of a couple of long wooded straights with a sprinkling of chicanes, plus a tight and twisty infield section populated by the most ardent Ferrari (well, Michael Schumacher) supporters outside Italy... but it sure can make for an exciting weekend. The long, long straights through the forest mean that teams run with tiny wings, maximising top speed at the expense of grip - Mika Hakkinen managed 224mph in qualifying, but still didn't get pole... Read review

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Advantages: Exciting race
Disadvantages: Title is even closer for Schumacher now, possible last race on that layout.

...* The Track * Hockenheim is one of the fastest circuits the Formula One circus has ever visited although it’s previous incarnations (Less chicanes) were faster. Two of the best places on the track for watching unfortunately don’t have any viewing facilities, namely chicane I and chicane II. Other than that all the other grandstands are all pretty well placed and you would have a good chance of seeing some action at any of them. If you take your home made Formula One car for a few laps in the lunch hour, you’ll need long gear ratios and low downforce to reach speeds of over 210MPH. Crikey! * The Results – Bang, Crash, Wallop * Recent races have had a low attrition rate, but not Hockenheim – engines blew, people crashed and electric’s failed. 1st – Ralf Schumacher (Williams... Read review

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