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Hockenheim track guide

Wednesday 18 July 2012 10:59, UK

  1. Image: The German Grand Prix returns to Hockenheim in 2012.
  2. Image: The start finish straight is narrower than some of the newer tracks.
  3. Image: Turn 1 was reprofiled as part of the 2002 redevelopment tighting the apex.
  4. Image: A short blast on the power takes the drivers to the turn 2 hairpin...
  5. Image: ..which has a very tight apex
  6. Image: Out of turn two the cars flick through turn 3.
  7. Image: And accelerate through turn 4.
  8. Image: Turn 5 is one of the quickest points on the track and is also part of the DRS zone, which could make it tricky.
  9. Image: The turn 6 hairpin is a favourite overtaking spot.
  10. Image: Turn 7 is a quick right hander into a new stadium section
  11. Image: Turn 8 is the first part of a double apex hairpin
  12. Image: Turn 9 is the second part
  13. Image: And leads to the towards turn 10, which takes the cars back onto the drag racing strip.
  14. Image: Turn 12 is a tricky right hander, leading into the Motodrom. It is easy to run wide on the exit of this turn.
  15. Image: Turn 13 is a long hairpin. The grandstands surround the circuit at this point giving it the feel of a football stadium.
  16. Image: Turn 14 is an acceleration zone.
  17. Image: Whilst turn 15 has to be taken correctly to avoid ruining the end of the lap.
  18. Image: Turn 16 is the first part of a final hairpin.
  19. Image: And turn 17 completes the lap.
  20. Image: The grandstand on the outside of turn 17 provides fantastic views of the track
  21. Image: The dash through the forest of the old circuit is long gone, and it has been replanted.
  22. Image: Meaning the Ostkurve which looked like this in 1999...
  23. Image: ...Looked like this in 2008
  24. Image: The German fans turn out in force each year.
  25. Image: And are very partisan....
  26. Image: ... particularly when a German driver is on pole.
  27. Image: Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel remain two main attractions.
  28. Image: There's plenty to keep the fans entertained.
  29. Image: Including stunt rider Chris Pfeiffer.
  30. Image: The Motodrom is a great place for fans to watch from.
  31. Image: The grand prix also attracts from other countries such as these Dutch fans...
  32. Image: ... or these Brazilians
  33. Image: The fans are allowed onto the circuit after the Grand Prix.
  34. Image: Which means they can get close to the podium.
  35. Image: It's not all glamour for the drivers though as Rubens Barrichello found out.
  36. Image: The last time F1 visited the circuit Ferrari's tactics hit the headlines giving Stefano Domenicali and uncomfortable time.