This Is Why We Miss The Old Hockenheimring Layout

Formula 1 returns to the Hockenheimring this weekend, but the track is a shadow of its former self – the old layout was fast, bonkers and completely unique, which is why we miss it so much
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The Hockenheimring has had a long association with Formula 1, stretching all the way back to 1970 when the track hosted its first race. But this inaugural F1 event took place on a very different layout, one that was fast, scary, mad and completely different to the circuit that is currently raced on.

Up until 2001 the German track featured long straights through the woods, broken up by tight chicanes and with a slower stadium-like section towards the end of the lap. This final part of the Hockenheimring has remained largely unchanged, but the rest was drastically redesigned for the 2002 race.

Old
Old
New
New

The famous long straights and chicanes were replaced by a shorter, slower layout with more low-speed and medium-speed corners. It has remained largely unchanged since the dramatic redesign, apart from the typical minor changes to run-off areas and kerbs.

But while the new layout may provide better overtaking opportunities, the soul and charm of the Hockenheimring was lost. It was a unique track, now its characteristics are no different to the majority of the other circuits on the F1 calendar.

This Is Why We Miss The Old Hockenheimring Layout

Most of the old layout has been taken up and replaced by trees and plants. It has been reclaimed to the forest, eliminating any chance of it ever being used. If you go on Google Maps and type in the circuit name, you can see the outline of the old circuit where cars used to speed down straights at well over 200mph.

Changes to the Hockenheimring needed to be made for safety reasons, but that still doesn’t take away the character and thrill of the old layout. It’s certainly missed by many in F1 - fans and drivers alike. We’ll just have to settle for watching classic clips on TV and YouTube to get our fix of the original track.

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Comments

Anonymous

Not sure which of these looks most fun

07/30/2016 - 16:45 |
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Juha Arkkukangas

Just going to leave this here. If this doesn’t make you sad then nothing will :(
https://youtu.be/__XMJ4Y3Uhk

07/31/2016 - 13:47 |
2 | 0
yoad_granat
07/31/2016 - 23:26 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Ive driven on COTA sector two is great because that staduim section, when the drivers get it right, looks magnificent.

08/01/2016 - 05:48 |
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krampus_

The older layout was more fun to drive on, yes, but you simply cannot ignore the deaths of drivers..

08/01/2016 - 20:08 |
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Anonymous

I use to live watching racing on the old track . It was like spa that the f1 cars ran at full chat. The new layout is awful . I have no idea why they never kept the old layout functioning. Even if it was not used for f1 . The old track are still the best .

09/11/2017 - 18:25 |
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Anonymous

I use to love the old track . It was fantastic watch these f1 car’s running at full chat . Like spa that now is much loved and would never get changed . The new track is awful . Why they never kept the old layout functional even if was not used for f1 was a disaster . I think that’s been it problem . I used to love that track as a kid . Now it another boring track that you don’t bother to watch

09/11/2017 - 18:34 |
0 | 0