Why The Hockenheimring is Abandoned in a forest

Summary

The video script delves into the history of the Hockenheimring, a legendary Formula One circuit with a challenging forest section. It traces the track's evolution from its triangular origins in 1932 to the modern era, marked by safety concerns and changes in layout. The script highlights iconic moments, like Rubens Barrichello's emotional win in 2000, and discusses the track's fluctuating presence in F1 due to financial and attendance issues. The video also reflects on the nostalgia for the old layout and the enduring legacy of the Hockenheimring in F1 history.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ The Hockenheimring has a storied history, evolving from the original 'Triangle Course' designed by Earnest Christ in 1932 to its current layout.
• 🛠️ Major modifications to the track occurred over the years, including the addition of the OS curve, the Stadium section, and various chicanes to improve safety and racing dynamics.
• 🌲 The forest section of the track, once iconic for its speed, contributed to the circuit's eventual changes due to safety and visibility concerns.
• 📉 Post-WWII, the Hockenheimring experienced a period of decline before becoming a prominent venue for MotoGP and Formula One racing.
• 🏁 The 1968 death of Jim Clark led to significant safety upgrades, including the addition of chicanes and barriers to slow down the cars.
• ⛽️ Fuel restrictions in the 1980s turbo era led to issues like drivers running out of fuel during races, including Alain Prost in 1986.
• 🚧 The year 2000 highlighted the need for further changes at Hockenheim due to spectator visibility, security issues, and the track's challenging setup for cars.
• 🎉 Rubens Barrichello's emotional first win at the 2000 German Grand Prix was overshadowed by concerns over the track's outdated facilities.
• 🛑 A disgruntled Mercedes employee's on-track protest during the 2002 race underscored the circuit's lack of security measures in the forest section.
• 🔄 The early 2000s saw Formula One push for changes at Hockenheim, leading to a redesign by Hermann Tilke for 2002 that removed the forest section.
• 📉 Declining attendance and financial strain led to an inconsistent presence of the Hockenheimring on the Formula One calendar post-2010.
• 🌐 The Nurburgring and Hockenheimring have alternated hosting the German Grand Prix, but financial and logistical challenges have threatened the future of F1 in Germany.

Q & A

What was the original name of the Hockenheimring track?

The original name of the track was the 'Triangle Course' due to its triangular shape.

Who designed the first layout of the Hockenheimring?

The first layout was designed by a timekeeper named Earnest Christ.

Why was the Hockenheimring modified in 1938?

The circuit was modified in 1938 to be less triangle-shaped, shortening it from 12 kilometers to just over seven and a half, and including the OS curve.

What significant change did the Hockenheimring undergo in 1965?

In 1965, the 'Stadium section' was added to the Hockenheimring.

Why were chicanes added to the Hockenheimring after the death of Jim Clark in 1968?

Chicanes were added after Jim Clark's tragic death to increase safety measures on the track.

What major incident during the 2000 race at Hockenheimring highlighted the need for improved security measures?

An unhappy Mercedes employee walked onto the track during the race, which exposed the circuit's near non-existent security measures.

Why did Formula One push for changes in the Hockenheimring in the early 2000s?

Formula One pushed for changes due to concerns over spectator viewing, safety, and security, especially after incidents like the walk-on during the 2000 race.

Who was responsible for redesigning the Hockenheimring in 2002?

Herman Tilke was tasked with redesigning the Hockenheimring for 2002.

What was the reason for the Hockenheimring's fluctuating presence on the Formula One calendar in recent years?

The fluctuating presence was due to financial negotiations and agreements between the track owners, the city, and Formula One.

Why was there a potential problem for the 2010 German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring?

The potential problem was that the track owners and the city were not prepared to invest more money into the event, but a last-minute deal saved the race.

How has the attendance at the Hockenheimring Formula One events changed over the years?

Attendance peaked in 2006 with 232,000 people over the course of the weekends, but by 2014 it had dropped to just 94,000.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ The Evolution and Challenges of Hockenheimring

The script delves into the history of the Hockenheimring, a legendary Formula One circuit. It began as the 'Triangle Course' in 1932, designed by Earnest Christ, and underwent significant changes over the years, including the addition of the OS curve and the Stadium section. The track faced various challenges, such as the difficulty of car setup for its unique layout, long race duration, and limited spectator visibility. The script also recounts the tragic death of Jim Clark in 1968, which led to further modifications for safety. The Hockenheimring's character was further compromised by fuel restrictions during the mid-80s turbo era, leading to incidents like Alain Prost running out of fuel in 1986. The year 2000 marked a turning point, with a series of events highlighting the need for change, including a fan walking onto the track during a race and the desire for improved spectator viewing and safety. The state government secured funding for a redesign by Hermann Tilke in 2002, which saw the removal of the iconic forest section, a decision that disappointed many fans and drivers.

05:02

📉 The Unsteady History of Hockenheimring in Formula One

This paragraph discusses the fluctuating presence of the Hockenheimring in the Formula One calendar and the financial implications of hosting the event. It starts with the ironic note that the track's first hosting of the German Grand Prix was due to a safety boycott at the Nurburgring. The script outlines the alternating hosting agreement between Hockenheimring and the Nurburgring until 2013, and the subsequent uncertainty due to financial disputes and a lack of agreement for continued alternation. The Hockenheimring's hosting frequency was reduced to every second year, with Germany's absence from the Formula One calendar in 2015 and 2017. Despite a resurgence in 2019 with a highly entertaining race, the financial burden and declining attendance led to Hockenheimring's uncertain future in the calendar. The script concludes with the creator's personal reflection on remaking the video to provide a better presentation of the topic and an appeal for support from the audience.

Keywords

💡Formula One

Formula One is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, known for its high-speed races and advanced technology. In the video, it is the central theme as the Hockenheimring has a storied history with the sport, hosting many memorable Formula One races and undergoing changes due to the demands of the sport.

💡Hockenheimring

Hockenheimring is a historic racing circuit in Germany, known for hosting the German Grand Prix in Formula One. The video discusses its evolution, the changes in its layout, and the impact of these changes on the racing experience and safety.

💡Triangle Course

The Triangle Course refers to the original layout of the Hockenheimring, characterized by its triangular shape with six sharp corners and long straights. It was the first design of the circuit, as mentioned in the script, and was used until significant modifications were made in 1938.

💡OS Curve

The OS Curve is a section of the Hockenheimring that was introduced in the 1938 modifications, featuring a long run into the forest and a hairpin turn. It became a notable part of the circuit's layout and is mentioned in the context of the changes that transformed the track from its original triangular shape.

💡Stadium Section

The Stadium Section is a part of the Hockenheimring that was added in 1965, providing a venue for spectators to view the races. It is significant in the video as it represents a major change to the circuit's layout and is central to the discussions about spectator viewing and race strategy.

💡Chicane

A chicane is a tight pair of bends on a racing circuit, designed to slow down the cars and increase overtaking opportunities. The video mentions the addition of chicanes to the Hockenheimring after the death of racing legend Jim Clark in 1968, indicating a shift towards increased safety and strategic racing.

💡Turbo Era

The Turbo Era refers to a period in Formula One history when turbocharged engines were dominant. In the script, it is mentioned in the context of new fuel restrictions that affected the races at the Hockenheimring, leading to issues such as drivers running out of fuel during races.

💡Safety Concerns

Safety Concerns are a central theme in the video, highlighting the various incidents and changes that led to the redesign of the Hockenheimring. It includes the tragic death of Jim Clark, the incident involving an unhappy Mercedes employee walking onto the track, and the overall need for improved spectator and driver safety.

💡Redesign

Redesign refers to the process of altering the layout or design of something to improve its function or aesthetics. In the video, the term is used to describe the significant changes made to the Hockenheimring in 2002, led by Hermann Tilke, which removed the forest section and altered the character of the circuit.

💡Iconic Circuits

Iconic Circuits are those that have become legendary within the world of motorsport due to their unique characteristics, history, and the memorable races they have hosted. The Hockenheimring is described as one of Formula One's most iconic circuits, not only for its layout but also for the events that have taken place there, such as the boycott leading to its first hosting of the German Grand Prix.

💡Broadcasting Deal

A broadcasting deal refers to an agreement between event organizers and media companies for the rights to broadcast an event. In the context of the video, the term is used to illustrate the commercial success of Formula One in Germany during Michael Schumacher's era, which later saw a decline in attendance and interest.

Highlights

The Hockenheimring's forest section, once an icon of speed in Formula One, contributed to the track's demise.

Opened in 1932, the track was originally designed by timekeeper Earnest Christ and named 'Triangle Course' due to its triangular shape.

The first major modifications in 1938 shortened the track from 12 kilometers to 7.5 and introduced the OS curve.

During WWII, the track suffered damage and was renamed to Hockenheimring after repairs.

1965 saw the addition of the Stadium section, and two chicanes were added after Jim Clark's tragic death in 1968.

The circuit's character was challenging due to the need for cars to be set up for both low downforce and high top speed.

In the mid-80s, fuel restrictions led to incidents like Alain Prost running out of fuel during the 1986 race.

The 2000 race was marred by poor visibility for spectators, security issues, and a walkout by an unhappy Mercedes employee.

Formula One drivers, including Martin Brundle, expressed dissatisfaction with racing at Hockenheim due to safety and viewing concerns.

In 2002, the Hockenheimring was redesigned by Hermann Tilke, removing the forest section and addressing safety and viewing issues.

The old forest section of the track is now overgrown, symbolizing a lost era of Formula One.

The Hockenheimring's history includes a boycott of the Nurburgring in 1970, leading to its first hosting of the German Grand Prix.

From 2007 to 2010, the German Grand Prix was shared between the Nurburgring and Hockenheimring.

A last-minute deal in 2009 ensured Hockenheimring's place on the Formula One calendar until 2018.

Attendance at the Hockenheimring dropped significantly from its peak years, impacting its financial viability.

Despite discussions, there has been no solid plan for Hockenheimring's return to Formula One post-2020.

The video is a remake, reflecting on the creator's growth and desire to remaster content on significant topics.

Transcripts

I've always been fascinated by this

circuit the massive run through the

forest is what I look back on as such an

icon of speed in Formula One but that

Forest section that I love so much for

some reason was what kind of caused the

demise of this former track the

Hockenheim ring has a history and some

of its old sections sit abandoned in a

forest to this day so what exactly

happened on the 29th of May 1932 the

driest course translated to Triangle

course was officially opened designed by

a timekeeper named Earnest Christ who

simply wanted a race track in his

hometown of Hockenheim so he went ahead

and designed one the first layout was

named triangle course for a reason

simply because of its triangular shape

six mostly sharp Corners feature in the

layout with some long straights not the

type of layout we're used to these days

the layout was used from 1932 until 1938

where the first major modifications

would take place by 1938 the circuit had

changed quite a bit and was much less

triangle shaped the circuit was

shortened from 12 kilometers down to

just over seven and a half one of the

big changes was the inclusion of the OS

curve which saw a long run into the

forest swinging back around and

rejoining the original triangle hairpin

the triangle course was no more and the

circuits had a new name during World War

II this circuit would take some damage

and after the repairs the circuit would

be renamed once again this time to the

Hockenheim ring the track would

eventually start seeing some real

success with MotoGP Racers taking place

at the Hockenheim ring while alternating

with other circuits 1965 would see the

Hockenheim ring change once again with

the Stadium section being added and then

after the tragic death of racing Legend

Jim Clark in 1968 two chicanes were

added and barriers in 1982 another

chicane was added to the Oscar section

the first chicane would also be made

slower slight adjustments would take

place throughout the years and the

forest section now featured three

chicane clock OST and Senna why did this

circuit get exposed so badly as the

years went on and why was it formula one

that would force the Hockenheim ring to

change once again the circuit's

character was extremely difficult not

exactly from a driving sense but more on

the setup side of the car do opt for low

downforce or the opposite in order to

make up time in The Stadium section the

track length was quite something as well

meaning you'd be looking at a 45 lap

race majority of the grandstands were

situated in The Stadium section which

meant very limited viewing the run into

the forest was almost isolated from

everything else during the mid 80s turbo

era new fuel restrictions had been

introduced which limited the amount of

fuel allowed during a race drivers would

sometimes run out of fuel including

Formula One Legend Alam Prost who would

run out of fuel at the end of the 1986

race pushing his car to the Finish Line

before giving up altogether the year

2000 was when the Hockenheim Rings

layout was again put under the spot

spotlights and more questions were asked

change was almost certainly on the way

in 2000 Ruben sparicello would start

from 18th but would go on to win

claiming his first ever Formula One win

which has gone down as one of the more

emotional moments in barakallo's career

most of the overtakes throughout that

race would happen deep in the forest

meaning not a whole lot of Spectators

were witness to the action the weather

was changeable as well with rain in The

Stadium section and nearly completely

dry in the forest section about halfway

through the race an unhappy Mercedes

employee who had recently lost his job

decided to walk onto the track in what

was a public display of the circuits

near non-existent security measures in

the forest section a lazy and Denise

would Collide sending a lazy into a spin

and causing him dizziness for the

following three days 2000 was really all

the evidence needed to show that things

needed to change at Hockenheim once

again spectator viewing safety and

security were all bought into question

Martin brundle would also say during the

broadcast of the 2002 German Grand Prix

that he and many other drivers of that

era didn't like racing at Hockenheim

there was a time where you were lucky to

finish this race you either ran out of

fuel suffered a failure because of the

long straights or crashed in the early

2000s F1 were pushing for change in

Hockenheim and threatened to race

elsewhere if something wasn't done the

state government secured money and

Herman tilka had the task of redesigning

the Hockenheim ring for 2002. a lot of

the old Hockenheim Forest section was

torn up and trees were planted so nobody

could race in that isolated Forest ever

again still today fans and drivers

missed the old Hockenheim ring layouts

with icons such as Juan Pablo Montoya

Yano truly and Ron Dennis criticizing

the new layout and much preferring the

old one the old Hockenheim ring will

always be one of formula one's most

iconic circuits and not just because of

the old layout but because in 1970

drivers decided to boycott the

Nurburgring unless changes were made

meaning the first ever time that

Hockenheim hosted the German Grand Prix

was due to a safety boycott I find it

somewhat ironic that the reason this

track not only got a Grand Prix but also

turned into an abandoned piece of

History was due to safety concerns

Hockenheim hasn't had such a steady

relationship with Formula One in recent

years in 2006 it was announced that

starting from 2007 until 2010 Formula

One in Germany would be shared between

the Nurburgring and the Hockenheim ring

it was in some ways The Best of Both

Worlds when 2010 came around the race

was set to go ahead at the Hockenheim

ring as per the agreements though there

was a potential problem which put the

whole race in Jeopardy the track owners

and City weren't prepared to pump more

money into the events but a last minute

deal was struck in September 2009 which

would say the Hockenheim ring stay on

the Formula One calendar until 2018. F1

in Germany would still be shared between

the Nurburgring until 2013 but the

Nurburgring would be under new ownership

in 2014. a deal was unable to be made to

continue with the alternating

arrangements and the future of formula

one ever going back to the circuits was

doubtful the Hockenheim ring still stuck

to holding the race every second year so

in 2015 and 2017 Germany would be absent

from the Formula One calendar Formula

One in Germany would be in doubt

altogether after 2018 as the contract

was set to end but another year was

added in 2019 and we got one of the most

entertaining and best races of the Year

there was no deal for the Hockenheim

ring in 2020 but due to the cancellation

of many races that year the Nurburgring

made its return to the Formula One

calendar and was a great moment but why

didn't the Hockenheim ring make its way

back on the calendar for 2021 and Beyond

it all comes down to money when Michael

Schumacher dominated the sport Germany's

eyes were on the racing phenomenon

sponsors wanted to get involved in the

events a huge broadcasting deal was

struck and it was just a big deal

according to Forbes in 2006 232

000 people attended the events over the

course of the weekends fast forward to

2014 attendance fell to just 94 000 a

huge decrease from its prime years a

potential Hockenheim return has been

discussed numerous times though there

has been no solid plan or news that it

will be returning anytime soon

Hockenheim is missed by many F1 fans the

old layout will never be forgotten even

though it has become overgrown Forest

When the Sun Goes Down And day turns

into night the one thing that remains in

the forests of the Hockenheim ring is

the screaming engines from past eras of

Formula One

foreign

[Music]

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