Grand-Prix track

The modern Formula 1 Grand Prix track

In the 1980s the Nordschleife was classified as unsafe for Formula 1 – the most famous example is probably Niki Lauda’s accident in 1976. For this reason the series was held at Hockenheim alone from 1997 on. To attract Formula 1 back to the Eifel, the then 4.5 kilometre Grand Prix circuit was built between 1981 and 1984, and was extended in 2001 by the "Mercedes Arena" section to its present length of 5.148 kilometres.

Today the circuit is between 10 and 25 m wide, featuring seven left and ten right turns, as well as large run-off zones and gravel beds. The Grand Prix track is known to be a modern and safe racing circuit which hosts top-notch motorspor t events.

Sections of the track

Tourist drives Grand-Prix track

: Grand-Prix-Strecke (gesamt)

: Rundkurs 2 (Sprintstrecke)

: Rundkurs 3 (Müllenbachschleife)

Facts & figures Grand Prix track

Track length:
Grand Prix track circuit 1 including Mercedes-Arena and chicane (layout variant I)	5.148 m
Grand Prix track circuit 1 including Mercedes-Arena and motorcycle chicane (layout variant II)	5.137 m
Grand Prix track circuit 2 including Mercedes-Arena and chicane (layout variant I)	3.629 m
Grand Prix track circuit 2 including Mercedes-Arena and motorcycle chicane (layout variant II)	3.618 m
Grand Prix track circuit 3	1.489 m
Width of track:
Grand Prix track circuit 1	10 - 13 m
Grand Prix track circuit 2	10 - 13 m
Mercedes Arena	14 - 25 m
Grand Prix track circuit 3	10 m
Pit lane	16 m wide and 381.40 long

Number turns

Sections of the track	Left	Right	Total
Mercedes-Arena	2	2	4
Grand Prix track (with Mercedes-Arena)	7	10	17
Grand Prix track circuit 3	3	5	8

Heights above sea level (track surface)

Beginning of start/finish straight (highest point of the track)	627.75 m above sea level
Start/finish straight	620.39 m above sea level
Hohe Acht, left side of track, post at right turn	616.80 m above sea level
Turn No. 12, left side of track, start of right turn	604.19 m above sea level