Europe: Nurburgring Track Facts

By Phil Huff
May 3 2006

Germany's Nurburgring is decidedly tame by comparison to its intimidating 14 mile, 174-corner predecessor, the infamous Nordschleife.

Further changes came in 2002 when the first turn was reprofiled to cut into the infield and around a new stadium section, slowing the track even more, but yielding another overtaking spot. Some superficial modifications also occurred for the 2003 race.

The current circuit remains a fairly high downforce track that is light on tyres and brakes. To achieve a competitive lap time here requires all the normal chassis attributes: good traction (particularly out of the hairpins), good chassis balance, stability under braking and the best possible compromise between downforce and straight-line speed. As the circuit is situated close to the Eifel Mountains, weather can often play a major role in the outcome of races at the Nurburgring.

The Nürburgring has the full mixture of slow through to high-speed corners, from the revised first turn, hairpin and chicane, to the double medium-speed ‘S’ bends and the very high speed ‘S’ after the hairpin. It also features a lot of undulation change, which is unusual for most modern circuits.

BAR Honda have scored twice at the Nurburgring, with Jenson Button's 2004 podium being the best result to date. Last years event saw both Jenson Button and Takuma Sato struggling for pace, with the Briton finishing in tenth, two places ahead of his team mate.