Circuit: Nürburgring
Track length: 5.148 km
Laps: 60
Race distance: 308.863 km
Fastest lap: 1:29.468 (Michael Schumacher, 2004)
The current Grand Prix track of the Nürburgring is a shadow of the
old Nordschleife "green hell" of the same name but it has proven to
be a much safer layout. It has been in use since 1984, although the
Mercedes Arena at the start of the lap was only introduced in 2002.
Turns 8 and 9 of the old track have been renamed the Schumacher S
after the 8-time World Champion.
The event has been previously called the Louxembourg Grand Prix.
This year will be the last time that the European Grand Prix will
be held at this venue, as it moves to Valencia next season. The
German Grand Prix alternates between Nürburgring and Hockenheim
(which will host the 2008 event), and thus the former will return
in 2009.
For fans will access to BBC's Radio Five Live, Murray Walker makes
a return to the commentary box for the first time since the 2001
USA Grand Prix.
The racing can be indifferent at times, although its location in
the mountains makes wet weather more likely than usual. However the
last 6 GPs took place in dry conditions.
A medium-high downforce set-up is recommended to tackle the twisty
parts of the track. It tends to be harder on the front tyres due to
a number of difficult braking points, such as the bumpy approach to
Castrol and the downhill run to Dunlop. Passing takes place most
often at these 2 corners and Veedol chicane, though it's also
possible at Bit and Ford.
The previous winners of the race who are still active are McLaren's
Fernando Alonso (2005), Toyota's Ralf Schumacher (2003) and Honda's
Rubens Barrichello (2002). Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen nearly won the
event which Alonso took but for a suspension failure on the last
lap.
The big news for this weekend, besides the espionage saga between
Ferrari and McLaren, is the dismissal of Christijan Albers from the
Spyker team. No replacement has been named yet. McLaren's Lewis
Hamilton still leads the world championship by 12 points but they
have been on the backfoot in the last 2 races. BMW and second
driver Robert Kubica also showed strong form in those races and in
testing at Spa.
Whatever happens, the world championship will surely hot up at the
10th round of the 2007 Formula 1 world championship!
