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German Grand Prix: BMW's F1 History And Background
Two years ago a July scheduling for the Formula One GP at the Nürburgring failed to spare the race from a typical Eifel cloudburst. A sunny Sunday morning was followed by raininduced chaos during the race. Heidfeld and Kubica had qualified fourth and fifth on the grid, but the heavens opened moments after the start and the track was littered with accidents and collisions. Eventually the race was red-flagged and the re-start saw Kubica line up 11th and Heidfeld 15th. Despite their misfortune both drivers finished in the points. Heidfeld, who became a father for the second time over that weekend, crossed the line in sixth place, Kubica seventh. By the time an extremely eventful race came to an end, the pit crew had negotiated a total of ten stops.
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BMW has strong ties with the Nürburgring. Many chapters of success in BMW’s motor sport history have been written at the circuit. Among them are 18 overall wins (including eight onetwo finishes) in the 24-Hour Race and a one-two in the 2003 Formula One GP.
As a partner of Nürburgring GmbH, BMW runs a state-of-the-art test centre for intensive testing of series-production cars at the foot of the legendary Nordschleife. Arguably the best known BMW Driver Training base is also located at the Nürburgring and offers a comprehensive range of courses to promote safe and sporty driving. Visitors can keep pace – literally – with the fascinating experience of the Nordschleife as a passenger in the BMW Ring Taxi. At the new Nürburgring experience centre “ring°werk” – which will not yet have been completed by the weekend of the GP – in the start/finish area, BMW will present entertaining and informative material from the world of BMW Motorsport.
The first version of the Nürburgring was opened on 18th/19th June 1927. On 29th July 1951, Formula One made its first appearance in the Eifel for the German Grand Prix. In the late 1950s and early 1970s, the German GP temporarily moved to the Berlin Avus track and to Hockenheim respectively. 2007 marks the 38th Formula One grand prix to be held at the Nürburgring. Niki Lauda’s horrendous fireball accident on 1st August 1976 spelt the end of the legendary Nordschleife’s career as a Formula One circuit. Today the winding track that stretches for more than 20 kilometres still hosts numerous touring car races, and on many days of the year visitors can pay to take their own car or motorcycle out for a few laps of the circuit.
The new Nürburgring was opened on 12th May 1984, since when the Eifel has played host to Formula One for 12 European Grands Prix, two Luxembourg GPs (1997 and 1998) and one German Grand Prix (1985).
1999 to 2001 saw the modernisation of the start/finish area, including the erection of a new pit building and press centre. 2002 marked the opening of the Mercedes Arena, a stadiumlike section which extended the circuit by some 600 metres.
Even more sweeping changes have been carried out since the visit of Formula One in 2007. The old main stand was dynamited and has been replaced by a new grandstand entitled the “BMW M Power Tribüne” with seating for 5,000 fans. The project list for the expansion is long and ambitious. While work on the “ring°werk” experience park has not yet been completed, the “ring°boulevard”, “ring°arena”, another event centre, two hotels and the “Eifeldorf Grüne Hölle” – offering a gastronomic experience and discotheque – will be opened on the Thursday before the grand prix weekend.
The Nürburgring is offering weekend tickets for the German Grand Prix priced from 60 euros.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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