The German Grand Prix is the eleventh Grand Prix in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship season and is due to take place on the weekend of the 23rd to the 25th of July 2010 at the Hockenheim Circuit (Hockenheimring), near Hockenheim, in the German State of Baden-Württemberg. If you’re planning to go to the race, here is some information about the circuit and some of the area’s other attractions.
Baden-Württemberg Overview
Baden-Württemberg is situated in the south-west of Germany. It’s largest city is the State’s capital, Stuttgart, but it also includes the cities of Heidelburg, Baden-Baden, Freiburg, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Heilbronn, Pforzheim and Ulm. The State is one of Germany’s most popular tourist destinations, particularly as it is home to Lake Constance and the famous Black Forest.
Getting to Hockenheim
The easiest way to get to Hockenheim is to fly to Frankfurt or Stuttgart, and pick up a rental car at the airport. It will take you about a hour to drive to Hockenheim from Frankfurt and about an hour and twenty minutes to drive there from Stuttgart.
The Hockenheimring
The original motor racing circuit at Hockenheim was built in 1939, and it was used as a test track by Mercedes-Benz. Although the German Formula 1 Grand Prix was initially held at the country’s main racing track, the Nurburgring, it was used for the 1970 Grand Prix, as there were concerns about the safety of the Nurburgring following the death of Formula 2 driver Jim Clark in 1968.
Changes were made to the Nurburgring and Formula 1 returned there in 1971, but in 1976, it was still deemed to be unsafe. Although the 1976 Grand Prix was still held at the Nurburgring, the decicion was made to move future races back to Hockenheim. The decision was validated when Niki Lauder, the reigning World Champion, suffered serious injuries in a crash during the 1976 Grand Prix. The Grand Prix was held in Hockenheim until 2007, when the decision was made to alternate between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring.
The Hockenheimring is 2.842 miles long and drivers aim to complete 67 laps of it.
Hockenheim Hotels
Many people choose to take advantage of the camping facilities at the Hockenheimring, as it means that they don’t have to drive to and from the circuit each day and can enjoy the race weekend atmosphere to the full.
However, if you would rather stay in a hotel, there are a number to choose from within Hockenheim itself. Most of the hotels in Hockenheim are independently owned, although there is one chain hotel, the Ramada Hotel Hockenheim. The 3-star Ramada Hotel Hockenheim has 80 rooms and is only 850 metres away from the Hockenheimring. Other hotels in Hockenheim include the Hotel Kanne and the Hotel Zur Pfalz. They do fill up quickly, so make sure that you book your room well in advance of the Grand Prix if you want to stay in Hockenheim.
Alternatively, you could stay in Frankfurt or Stuttgart and use your airport hire car to drive to the circuit.
Hockenheim Attractions
For motorsports enthusiasts, Hockenheim’s most important attraction (apart from the track itself) is the Hockenheim Motorsports Museum. The museum, which is part of the Hockenheimring site, contains a range of exhibits relating to the history of motorsports, including a number of historic cars.
Other attractions within Hockenheim include:
- The Hockenheim Tobacco Museum – Hockenheim has a long history within the tobacco industry and this museum houses a range of exhibits, including photographs, pipes and tools.
- The Aquadrome – This swimming pool complex includes a wave pool.
If you hire a car during your stay, you can also drive to the cities of Heidelburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, or explore the beautiful Black Forest.
Essential Information
The time in Germany is one hour ahead of the time in London, and the currency used is the euro.
Tags: Baden-Württemberg, Germany, Hockenheim, Hockenheim Motorsports Museum, Hockenheim Tobacco Museum, Hockenheimring, Ramada Hotel Hockenheim, Sports travel
