Hockenheim takes over from the Nurburgring this year to host the German Grand Prix onSunday 20 July. Hockenheim was originally built as a test track in 1939 but only hostedits 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 GermanGrands Prix. Now in its 31styear, the German track has undergone considerablemodifications over the years in an effort to improve safety standards, but has lost none ofits original charm, weaving through the forest and out into the dramatic stadium sectionwhere 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&TWilliams’ 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 twoteams 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-upwork 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 inFormula One, the team then took an FW29 to the streets of Russia for the Moscow CityRacing event last weekend. Nico Rosberg’s demonstration laps in front of hundreds ofthousands 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 anunderstatement! 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. Todrive 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 thescene for quite a few of my past victories, so I’m looking forward to going there. As it’smy home race, it will be nice to have the support of the German fans, but they reallyprovide a great atmosphere for everyone as they are so enthusiastic. In terms of thetrack itself, I really love it, and it should suit our car as well, but I still think it will bedifficult 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 preparationtime for the race weekend. We covered a lot of ground with the set-up so we should bein good shape when we arrive. I’ve raced at Hockenheim a few times already, but thatwas when I was in F3, so I need to draw on my experience from those races as this willbe my first Formula One race there. The test helped me get used to the circuit, and I’vealso spent some time in the sim at the factory to help me prepare. It’s a great track, butquite challenging. It’s quite similar to Silverstone and Magny-Cours in that sense. I’mlooking forward to it!
Sam Michael, Technical Director, Williams F1
Hockenheim’s layout mainly consists of slow and medium speed corners, although thereare two high speed corners but they do not dominate the lap. As a result, we tend tohead towards a softer set-up for this race. The track layout and surface aspect isparticularly tough on tyres, characteristics only emphasised by the high temperatures weoften experience over the race weekend. To balance out these issues, Bridgestone willtherefore 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 Kazukigetting cockpit time. We progressed through a detailed set-up programme which puts usin 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 plentyof tarmac run-off area, offers a good overtaking place.
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