It's an autobahn-ride from Frankfurt airport, which gives the race a rich, busy feel, yet the local town is sleepy and calm. The stadium section is exactly that, with six corners in view from the grandstands. Then the cars disappear into the forest, where a fast run out and then a fast run back are broken by three separate chicanes. The greatest moment at Hockenheim occurs on the opening lap, when the field is approaching the stadium section for the first time. The crowd erupts as the answer unfolds.
Fire crackers ignite.
And thus the race is on. Hockenheim appears to happen quickly, for the lap is long and the total number of laps relatively small. It is a momentous race, though, a crucial one for sponsors, manufacturers and tire companies. And no circuit is tougher on engines. This year on a select number of our Formula One tours, our guests will have the opportunity of joining Derek Hill at a group dinner on the Saturday evening of each event.