Classic F1 Tracks - Old Hockenheim

Old Hockenheim was the circuit used for the German Grand Prix between 1965 and 2001. Since 2001 Hockenheim's layout was changed to be a lot safer, and to also expand spectator viewing. It is still used for Formula One today, but the 2015 race was canceled due to the circuit not being up to standard.

Layout used from 1965 - 2001. (The Stadium Section is Turns 12-16)

The track was originally fast flowing, with long straights leading into a tight and twisty stadium sections. Improvements to the layout were made in the 1960s after Formula One legend Jim Clark was killed in an F2 race. 2 Chicanes were added to slow down the cars on the straights, and the track was lined with crash barriers. A memorial can be found at the first chicane for Jim Clark, which has been named in his honor. Setting cars up for this track was always considered difficult because most teams are faced with choice of setting the car up for the long flowing straights, and losing time in the stadium section, or setting up to make full use of the tight corners in the Stadium section and losing time on the straights. During the Turbo Era of Formula One in the 1980s, many people struggled to finish the race due to fuel consumption, most famously 4 time world championship winner Alain Prost. Prost ran out of fuel at the end of the 1986 race, pushing his McLaren toward the line, before giving up. He was placed in 3rd, but when he ran out, he was classified in 6th place, gaining him a valuable championship point, effectively winning him his 2nd world championship.

Problems with the Old Hockenheim Circuit arose after the 2000 German Grand Prix, when Rubens Barrichello achieved his maiden Grand Prix win in changeable conditions from 18th on the grid. However every overtaking move was made into the chicanes of the forest section meaning that no spectators saw the action. Problems were also raised when Jean Alesi crashed into the 3rd chicane, and spun uncontrollably down the straight, which caused him to have dizziness for 3 days after the crash. Then to top things off, a Mercedes-Benz empolyee, who had been dismissed, managed to breach the security barriers on the first main straight. This prompted questions over the tracks security in the forest sectors.

After the incidents of 2000, the FIA called for the track to be shortened or they threatened they would discontinue racing there. Eventually Hermann Tilke was hired to redesign the track. In the redesign, the stadium section stayed intact, with a tighter Turn 1, whilst the long flowing straights were cut off, with tight corners replacing them.

The New Layout (2002 Onwards)

In an extremely controversial move, the old roads of Old Hockenheim were ripped up, and replanted with trees, making racing there for old conventions and motor shows completely off the book. Many drivers and Formula One personal disliked the new layout, because of there no longer being the technical difficulties of setting the car up. People such as Ron Dennis (McLaren Group Owner), Jarno Trulli (Former Toyota/Renault driver) and Juan Pablo Montoya (Former Williams/McLaren driver) stated there preferences to the old track.

The Track can hold up to 120,000 people thanks to the stands provided by Mercedes Benz. Kimi Raikkonen holds the lap record for the new circuit with 1:13.780 for McLaren in the 2004 German Grand Prix. Whilst Juan Pablo Montoya holds the lap record for the old circuit with a 1:41.808 for Williams in 2001 which also turned out to be the last Formula One race on the old circuit. As well as fastest lap of that year, Montoya took Pole Position with a 1.38.117. That lap is provided down below