An introduction to the German Grand Prix
The German Grand Prix, known as 'der grosse Preis von Deutschland', is the second race in the F1 World Championship race line-up to be held in Germany - the first one, earlier in the season, is the European Grand Prix, at the at the Nürburgring..
Hockenheim has historically played second fiddle to the Nürburgring, which was always the venue for F1 races and Hockenheim was used only when the N?rburgring was not available, for example, when it was being upgraded in 1970 - the 1970 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, was an infamous race, as Jochen Rindt drove his Lotus home, a nose in front of Jacky Ickx's Ferrari. However, things changed in 1976, when Austrian driver, Nikki Lauda had his fiery accident at the Nürburgring and drivers refused to drive at the circuit, until it was modified to be safer - in fact, more F1 drivers have been killed at Nürburgring than any other racing circuit.
The German Grand Prix was moved to Hockenheim in 1977 and ironically enough, Lauda won that Grand Prix. Since then, Hockenheim has been the home of the German Grand Prix, except for 1985, when it was held at Nürburgring.
The German Grand Prix has a long history, with the first national event - German Grand Prix Motor Racing - being held in Berlin in 1926, at the AVUS (Automobil Verkehrs und Übungs Strasse) circuit. This first race was won by a German, Rudolf Caracciola, driving for Mercedes Benz, in heavy rain - a feat that would not be repeated again, until Michael Schumacher won the German Grand Prix in 1995.
In The following year, AVUS lost its Grand Prix rights after a horrific accident by driver Adolf Rosenberger, who's car crashed into a marshal's hut and killed three people. In 1927, the German Grand Prix was moved to the Nürburgring. Germany was included almost from the beginning of F1 World Championship racing, as we know it today. The German Grand Prix is also well-known for having been Honda's debut F1 race, back in 1964.
Since Michael Schumacher and later, his brother, Ralf, joined the F1 circuit, the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim has become a huge home-coming race for the two German drivers. Many consider the German Grand Prix race to be the race with the most spectator atmosphere - and no doubt this year thousands of fans will be waving the Ferrari flag, or supporting the Williams-BMW team.
The German Grand Prix 2004, 2005 and 2006 at the Hockenheimring, in succession were won by; German Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Fernando Alonso from Spain (Renault) and again Michael Schumacher for Ferrari.