Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg · DE
A storied German racing venue rebuilt in 2002. The modern 2.84-mile circuit retains the dramatic Motodrom stadium section where 120,000 fans create an electrifying atmosphere for DTM and GT racing.
Hockenheimring is a permanent racing circuit, located in Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg. Drivers cover 4.574 km (2.842 miles) and 17 corners each lap, run clockwise.
The circuit opened in 1932 and holds FIA Grade 1 licensing. It appears on the GT and Touring Car calendars. Around 70,000 spectators can attend.
The circuit was built in 1932 through the forest, on public roads, after the authorities closed the Wildpark course at Karlsruhe. It began as a motorcycle venue and by 1936 was serving as a test track for Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union — the long straights through the trees were as useful for development running as for racing.
Those straights also defined its darkest day. Jim Clark was killed here on 7 April 1968 during a Formula 2 race, and chicanes and Armco followed. The forest layout survived in some form until 2002, when Baden-Württemberg funded a Hermann Tilke redesign that cut the lap from roughly 6.8 km to 4.5 km, removing the long runs through the woods in favour of a tighter stadium-side course. The old sections are still visible from the air.
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