[hujdrftgkas]

I remember the disdain that this circuit attracted when it replaced the Nordschleife back in 1977. It was not only one of those "stadiums" but also the place that claimed the life of the greatest driver ever, the generous and sublime Scottish driver Jim Clark. It was also where Patrick Depailler was killed in 1980.

But we got used to it and eventually looked forward to those magnificent HIGH SPEED processions with the f1 cars at full bore into the Ostkurve.

Today we have a different track with a Parabolica and while the Hockenheimring as we knew it with the Ostkurve is no more, the current track like Silverstone has retained its essential identification.

I think it will be an RB06 race to lose and surely the heightened tensions in the camp of Red Bull will be the focus of this weekend. Webber has to do it all again and Vettel has to show that he can do it without Daddy Warbucks protecting him.

Mclaren will be their usual quick selves and I am hoping that Jense will find that quircky set-up he requires and outqualifies Lewis.

Alonso has not yet shown us what the Ferrari can do. There have been problems since the new package was introduced at Valencia and could be the sirprise of the weekend along with Brittney.

Mercedes home track will want to make at least its best showing here and Rosberg at this stage is the only one that can do it.

Wouldnt it be great to see a first Nico victory - he can do it.

The last three races were won by Hamilton, Schumacher and Alonso.

If the Ferrari works well then an Alonso victory? It is certainly time for the Scuderia to show that they have not lost their edge.

Ithiink the surprise of the qeekend will be an Alonso or Rosberg victoru AND perhaps a Schumi podium - there would not be a dry eye in the house

[loginptsa]

I never understood what the appeal in Hockenheim without the forest is. The stadium was always the Yin to the forest's Yang.

Have the crowds at Tilkenheim been comparable to the old Hockenheim, for those that watched before it was cut up?

[hujdrftgkas]

I never understood what the appeal in Hockenheim without the forest is. The stadium was always the Yin to the forest's Yang.

Have the crowds at Tilkenheim been comparable to the old Hockenheim, for those that watched before it was cut up?

The corwds were definitely down in 2008 when Lewis won but I think we could see a rise because Schumi is back - viewership in Germany has increased a whopping 50% this season.

I agree with you but they have trued to maintain its speed characteristics with that parabolica sweep.

I like Hockeheim better than the sad new Nurburgring layout.

If you read the July edition of Motorsport magazine, Andrew Marriot went on a homage tour in memory of Jim CLark and in order to FIND the actual place where the Scot crashed you get to see what is left of the the great sweep into the Ostkurve - made me feel sad. Ak well - regress and all that!!!

[Nmoitmzr]

I like Hockeheim better than the sad new Nurburgring layout.

I feel the opposite on that notion, and prefer the Nurburgring. I look at it as an extension of the old Nordschleife which realistically couldn't remain on the calendar for obvious reasons. Its also the place where a favourite driver of mine won a race in 1984 driving a Mercedes 190e against a grid of former WDC's whilst being reletively unknown. It might not be the most exciting race of the season with a rather strange crowd of fans (anyone who has been to meets at the Nordschleife will understand that one) , but it holds great memories all the same for me.

[somamasoso]

it is hardly a buzz in Germany anymore.

for example the viewers used to be up in 10 Mio back in Schus heydays.
RTL cracked the 10 mio for the season opener but now is back at 5 mio where they where in the past few years.

Major newspapers are writing Schu down, if at all. Just today I read an article "another record - never was a racing icon crushed so fast"

I hear they sold some 60.000 tickets and if you saw how RTL was advertising the tickets... you where basically flushed away by these silly and cheep looking comercials trying to sell you the "mega event of teh century" I started to believe that they have issues getting the house full!

I miss the old Hockers!
Too many historic battles there in the woods... man, when I remember Rindt vs. Ickx back in 70 it sends shivers down my spine... what is left ot the track today does not deserve to carry on this name.

nonetheless I look forward to the race. racefan. can't help it.

[pfcwlkxav]

I think your wrong on the charecteristics of the new Hockenheim St. D, its no longer the flat out blast that it once was and is now just another Tilkedrome, though it can produce better racing than most of his other tracks.

[hujdrftgkas]

it is hardly a buzz in Germany anymore.

for example the viewers used to be up in 10 Mio back in Schus heydays.
RTL cracked the 10 mio for the season opener but now is back at 5 mio where they where in the past few years.

Major newspapers are writing Schu down, if at all. Just today I read an article "another record - never was a racing icon crushed so fast"

I hear they sold some 60.000 tickets and if you saw how RTL was advertising the tickets... you where basically flushed away by these silly and cheep looking comercials trying to sell you the "mega event of teh century" I started to believe that they have issues getting the house full!

I miss the old Hockers!
Too many historic battles there in the woods... man, when I remember Rindt vs. Ickx back in 70 it sends shivers down my spine... what is left ot the track today does not deserve to carry on this name.

nonetheless I look forward to the race. racefan. can't help it.

I would personally punch the mouth of ANY journalist that wrote such a comment about Schumi.

Where did you get that information on tv viewing? The RISE in viewership is avaliable in F1 Racing.

[hujdrftgkas]

I think your wrong on the charecteristics of the new Hockenheim St. D, its no longer the flat out blast that it once was and is now just another Tilkedrome, though it can produce better racing than most of his other tracks.

I agree its not as exciting - but I also do like that stadium section

[somamasoso]

I would personally punch the mouth of ANY journalist that wrote such a comment about Schumi.

Well, i am no journalist but you "sir" can feel invited to kiss my butt for such a stupid childish comment

Where did you get that information on tv viewing? The RISE in viewership is avaliable in F1 Racing.

as for the original article, which hits the feeling that I have (living in this country, watching this TV and reading these newspapers I may add)
http://www.welt.de/sport/formel1/art...ntzaubert.html

so again, you can feel free to think what you may... come to Hockenheim to see for youself.
bubble... meet burst.

one more thing, a quote from Willi Weber: "it may be easier to find a 50 year old virgin than sponsors for F1 these days"

[Nmoitmzr]

I would personally punch the mouth of ANY journalist that wrote such a comment about Schumi.

Well St.D welcome to the stance of European media. The German, British and Italian press are amongst the most savage in the world. They love you while you are successful but at the first sign of faliure, they'll lead you to the hangman. I've said this to you before when you claimed that the British press love everything Lewis Hamilton does, but kick Jenson when he is down. Its simply not the case and as you make claims about something you have no first hand experience of, you are likely to be surprised by such comments.

The German press are no different, and with there being even a selection of Schuey fans who are doubtful over the success of his return, the press will always take the most negative stance until luck goes in his favour.

I know you are fond of the idea of a sport where drivers punch other drivers for ontrack disputes and journalists being thumped for having doubts, but F1 is a civilised sport. Like it or not. I personally respect the achievements of MS, but I don't think he is the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. Its my opinion, and we're all entitled to one whether its different or not.

[somamasoso]

the article actually is no Schu bashing, just to calrify that (which makes the premature comment even more childish to me) but an article about the effect Schus return had on German audience/publicity figures related to F1.
A short Buzz which has pretty much cooled down to not much anymore.

it is not about bashing because the Valencia race (Vettel wins) is specifically marked a s low in viewership (only about half the numbers of the season opener).

The German GP (to get back to topic) seems to have expected more from teh "Schu Buzz" which isn't around as expected and ad sales and audience suffer.
All there is to it.

[eCw56dzY]

The new Hok is a bit dull but the racing has often been interesting and exciting. I can't see it being a Red Bull walk over as its a bit more of a point and squirt circuit not really giving the RBR anywhere to stretch its legs.

For the sake of the championship i 'd like a McLaren win as I expect the Bulls to be all but unbeatable on the aero tracks to come.

It would also be nice to see another strong performance from Williams who (against recent history) seem to be developing their car the most quickly of the chasing pack, and perhaps another Podium for Nico.

[hujdrftgkas]

the article actually is no Schu bashing, just to calrify that (which makes the premature comment even more childish to me) but an article about the effect Schus return had on German audience/publicity figures related to F1.
A short Buzz which has pretty much cooled down to not much anymore.

it is not about bashing because the Valencia race (Vettel wins) is specifically marked a s low in viewership (only about half the numbers of the season opener).

The German GP (to get back to topic) seems to have expected more from teh "Schu Buzz" which isn't around as expected and ad sales and audience suffer.
All there is to it.

Touchy aren't you. Your post just confirms mine. I see through your charade.

[Nmoitmzr]

You are bashing Schumi

Where in his post do you see that?

every time you do that - I will smack you around too. Thats what happens

This has got to be one of the most pathetic posts I have ever seen on here. Part of me wants to roll around on the floor laughing at such a childish and uncalled for comment. Absolutely trivial in the extreme.

[hujdrftgkas]

Well St.D welcome to the stance of European media. The German, British and Italian press are amongst the most savage in the world. They love you while you are successful but at the first sign of faliure, they'll lead you to the hangman. I've said this to you before when you claimed that the British press love everything Lewis Hamilton does, but kick Jenson when he is down. Its simply not the case and as you make claims about something you have no first hand experience of, you are likely to be surprised by such comments.

The German press are no different, and with there being even a selection of Schuey fans who are doubtful over the success of his return, the press will always take the most negative stance until luck goes in his favour.

I know you are fond of the idea of a sport where drivers punch other drivers for ontrack disputes and journalists being thumped for having doubts, but F1 is a civilised sport. Like it or not. I personally respect the achievements of MS, but I don't think he is the greatest driver the sport has ever seen. Its my opinion, and we're all entitled to one whether its different or not.

F1 used to be a sport where a good whack on the jaw would settle things - it works well in American racing. Problem these days in f1 is that perhaps just too many drivers dont want to mess their delicate manicures.

Senna was definitely someone that understood it could clear the air.

Definitely the journalists deserve knuckle sandwiches.

On that score, give me American racing any day.

[loginptsa]

Bridgestone to bring hard and super-soft tyres to the grand prix, so if strategy is going to decide this one, it's not going to be an RBR driver on the top step.

[lymnCymment]

On that score, give me American racing any day.

You can have it. Free, gratis, it's yours. Just don't let the door hit your ass on the way out

[pfcwlkxav]

F1 used to be a sport where a good whack on the jaw would settle things - it works well in American racing. Problem these days in f1 is that perhaps just too many drivers dont want to mess their delicate manicures.

Senna was definitely someone that understood it could clear the air.

Definitely the journalists deserve knuckle sandwiches.

On that score, give me American racing any day.

The number of punch ups in F1's history can be counted off on little more than 1 hand.

How are you not banned yet?

[Gypejeva]

The Hockenheim of the 80s and 90s--4 straightaways separated by three chicances, plus a mickey mouse stadium section--was boring in spite of the high speeds.

The new Hockenheim has produced several passing opportunities and it is, IMO, a massive improvement. Cars can go side-by-side through turns, and drivers can pull the inside-out move. Great stuff. Looking forward to it.

[hujdrftgkas]

The number of punch ups in F1's history can be counted off on little more than 1 hand.

How are you not banned yet?

The fisticuffs in f1 were by far never reported and during the 1960's for example there was no despicable paparazzi chasing drivers.

And in more recent times there are pitcrew by the dozen that prevents anything happening and of course the FIA .........

And how many times did James Hunt swing his fists including against marshalls?

Why on earth would you want me banned banned? All I am doing is telling the truth about what happens in environments such as racing.