Circuits

Built by Mercedes-Benz as a test track in the 1930s, Hockenheim first welcomed F1 to the circuit in 1970 when drivers threatened to boycott the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring on safety grounds. Safety measures had already been introduced at Hockenheim following the death of Jim Clark in 1968, where chicanes were added to the track's two main straights.

However, the race returned to the Nürburgring the following year, where it remained until 1977 when Hockenheim became the regular home of the German Grand Prix until 2006.

In 2002 the circuit underwent major alterations for safety reasons, with the new layout significantly reducing the speed of the circuit and increasing the spectator seating available.

Since 1995 there had been two grand prix held in Germany every year; the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim and either the European Grand Prix or the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, but in 2006 Bernie Ecclestone announced there would only be one race held in Germany from 2007, alternating between the two historic circuits.

While no driver has ever been killed in an F1 race at Hockenheim, two-time F1 world champion Jim Clark died in a Formula 2 race in April 1968 after he crashed into trees at 140mph. A memorial used to mark the spot where he crashed but after the redevelopment of the circuit the memorial was replaced by a more impressive structure at turn one.

Claire Furnell