Formula 1 - Grand Prix of Europe

Nürburg/Eiffel, Germany

Without doubt, the older fans of F1 will remember the old Nordschleife of Nürburg, a 22 km circuit through the Eifel region with over 170 curves. The circuit was so stretched out that drivers had a hard time to remember their planned racing line. Being a dangerous and bumpy track without many safety facilities, the notorious Nordschleife was eventually withdrawn from the tournament. Unfortunately, it needed a tragic and horrifying accident to pursue that: the Niki Lauda accident in 1976.

In 1984, the new Nürburgring gained its licence for a Grand Prix venue, being the European Grand Prix while Hockenheim was given preference for the German equivalent. Though, commercial problems soon prevented the continuation of the Nürburgring as a Grand Prix circuit. Partly thanks to Michael Schumacher who came from the nearby town of Kerpen, the Grand Prix returned to Nürburgring in 1995 (European Grand Prix) and the circuit hosted the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1997 and 1998. Since then, it has firmly established itself as the homebase for the European Grand Prix.

Nürburgring

In contrast to it’s notorious precedent, the new Nürburgring is designed with safety on the first place. With the stands are far from the track and wide run-off areas. It does not provide many spectacular challenges for the drivers, though, with few long straights and slow curves predominantly. But the unpredictable weather in the Eifel region often adds up to the excitement as the could and humid climate can make the circuit slippery in an instant moment.

Nurburgring is located 90 km south-west of the city of Cologne and from the international airports of Cologne and Düsseldorf. The circuit is easily accessible by the German autobahns, renowned for giving you the opportunity to become a race pilot yourself… just watch out for the radars!

Look for a hotel near the Nürburgring circuit

Circuit Facts
Rounds	60
Circuit Length	5,148 km
Track Record	M. Schumacher FERRARI 2004
Record Lap Time	01:29,468
Race Distance	308,863 km
Address of Circuit	Nurburgring Gmbh, D-5489, Nurburg/Eifel