GERMAN GRAND PRIX PREVIEW
Hockenheim takes over from the Nurburgring this year to host
the German Grand Prix on Sunday 20 July. Hockenheim was originally
built as a test track in 1939 but only hosted its first Formula
One race in 1970. The track became a permanent fixture on
the Formula One calendar in 1978, since which time it has
been the venue for all but two German Grands Prix. Now in
its 31st year, the German track has undergone considerable
modifications over the years in an effort to improve safety
standards, but has lost none of its original charm, weaving
through the forest and out into the dramatic stadium section
where some of the most enthusiastic of the sport’s fans
lie in wait to cheer their heroes. With a quarter of the grid
anticipating their home race this weekend, including AT&T
Williams’ Nico Rosberg, the German Grand Prix always
proves to be one of the most atmospheric of the season.
In the break between the British and German rounds, AT&T
Williams have had two teams out on two very different tracks.
Last week, the test team headed to the Hockenheimring for
a three day test, during which Nico and Kazuki focused on
set-up work on their FW30s, aero level testing, brake package
evaluations and prime and option tyre compound testing in
preparation for Sunday’s race. Breaking new ground in
Formula One, the team then took an FW29 to the streets of
Russia for the Moscow City Racing event last weekend. Nico
Rosberg’s demonstration laps in front of hundreds of
thousands of Russians captured a whole new audience of Muscovites
for the sport.
Nico Rosberg
Firstly, I’ve just returned from our trip to Moscow
and to say it was awesome is an understatement! The city itself
was fascinating, and the Russian people made us feel really
welcome and seemed to love seeing our sport which is good
for everyone. To drive through Red Square and around the Kremlin
was an experience I’ll never forget.
On to this weekend, I’ve had a lot of great experiences
at Hockenheim, and it’s been the scene for quite a few
of my past victories, so I’m looking forward to going
there. As it’s my home race, it will be nice to have
the support of the German fans, but they really provide a
great atmosphere for everyone as they are so enthusiastic.
In terms of the track itself, I really love it, and it should
suit our car as well, but I still think it will be difficult
to get into the points on Sunday considering how close the
field is. As always, we will just do our best.
Kazuki Nakajima
We had a test at Hockenheim last week which allowed us to
maximize our preparation time for the race weekend. We covered
a lot of ground with the set-up so we should be in good shape
when we arrive. I’ve raced at Hockenheim a few times
already, but that was when I was in F3, so I need to draw
on my experience from those races as this will be my first
Formula One race there. The test helped me get used to the
circuit, and I’ve also spent some time in the sim at
the factory to help me prepare. It’s a great track,
but quite challenging. It’s quite similar to Silverstone
and Magny-Cours in that sense. I’m looking forward to
it!
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1
Hockenheim’s layout mainly consists of slow and medium
speed corners, although there are two high speed corners but
they do not dominate the lap. As a result, we tend to head
towards a softer set-up for this race. The track layout and
surface aspect is particularly tough on tyres, characteristics
only emphasised by the high temperatures we often experience
over the race weekend. To balance out these issues, Bridgestone
will therefore take compounds from the harder end of the scale
to Hockenheim.
We had the opportunity to test at Hockenheim last week, with
both Nico and Kazuki getting cockpit time. We progressed through
a detailed set-up programme which puts us in a good position
going into this race.
Most teams tend to go for a two stop strategy at Hockenheim.
The race itself normally provides some great action as the
long straight leading into the hairpin, which has plenty of
tarmac run-off area, offers a good overtaking place.
Hockenheim, Germany
Many would argue that the major facelift in 2002 left the
2.8 mile Hockenheimring a bland expanse of tarmac. The passage
through the heart of the Rhine forest may have been re-engineered,
but that which remains still demands exacting standards of
driving and engineering precision.
Like so many of the tracks on the calendar, the circuit is
a conundrum, one at which the drivers and their engineers
spend most of the weekend searching for an often elusive set-up
which can accommodate the low and medium speed corners as
well as the high speed straights. Measuring 1.25km, the sweeping
Parabolica is the longest straight of the lap and will see
the engines rev at full throttle for 14 seconds at speeds
of 315kp/h. With the cars running at full throttle for up
to 65% of each lap, Hockenheim ranks only second to Monza
in the speed stakes and demands engine durability.
Located in the southern part of Germany, ambient temperatures
are predictably high and promote track temperatures in excess
of 50°C. As a result, the thermal loads placed on the
tyres, particularly the rears, will be especially high at
this race, while the physical pressures exerted on the drivers
are as equally demanding.
STATS & FACTS
KEY RACE DATA
RACE DISTANCE / LAPS
4.574kms / 2.842 miles. 67 laps = 306.458kms / 190.433 miles
RACE START TIME Local: 14.00, BST: 13.00
2006 FASTEST LAP M Schumacher, Ferrari: 1:16.357
2006 POLE SITTER K Raikkonen, McLaren Mercedes: 1:14.070
2006 RACE WINNER M Schumacher, Ferrari
PIT-STOP SCHEDULE
1 stop: Laps 32 - 37
2 stops: Laps 22 – 26, 43 - 46
3 stops: Laps 10 – 21, 27 – 32, 45 - 49
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