Joshtalk - Josh Benson Racing

History of Hockenheim

The Hockenheimring was originally built in 1932 using roads in the forest as an alternative to the Wildpark-Circuit in Karlsruhe, which became forbidden as a racing circuit by German officials. It was used for motorcycle racing and was expanded to be used as test track for Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union in 1936.

After Jim Clark was killed in 1968 in a Formula 2 racing accident, two chicanes and an Armco barrier were added. A small memorial was placed near the first chicane, at the site of his accident. In 1980, another chicane was added at the Ostkurve (east curve), after Patrick Depailler was killed there. Many problems came to light during the 2000 German Grand Prix, where Brazilian driver Rubens Barrichello won from having started 18th on the grid, in changeable weather conditions. All the overtaking moves that took place during the race were in the chicanes of the forest sector, meaning hardly any spectators saw most of the best action.

They say that some of the best drivers come from Germany, and one of the best German formula 1 drivers was 7 times champion Michael Schumacher. He won in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004; He is the only Formula 1 driver to win the championship so many times. Michael has driven for many different teams from Benetton, Jordan, Ferrari and now Mercedes GP.

We look forward to the GP this weekend and let’s see if Schumacher can win a race again in his home town.