| 23rd July - A lap of Hockenheim with Heinz-Harald. |
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�Hockenheim is a distinguished track in comparison to other F1 circuits on the calendar. It is almost like racing on two separate tracks as the short, slow and twisty infield section is so different to the long and fast straights that form the majority of the track. This makes car set-up very challenging and a good compromise needs to be found in order to gain maximum speed on the straights but sufficient downforce in the motodrome. A good qualifying position is very important as overtaking is quite difficult here. You make it up to sixth gear on the straight leading up to the first corner and it�s important to get this turn right and power out early as it�s on the exit that you try to gain all the momentum for the following straight which is the longest and quickest on this circuit. Shifting up to seventh with a speed of around 350 kms per hour, you brake heavily in to the first chicane, the Clark Kurve, at the 100m sign and quickly shift down to second. Accelerating out of the chicane you shift back up to seventh and reach approximately 330 kms per hour before Ostkurve which is the slowest chicane at Hockenheim. It�s very bumpy through there with a lot of camber changes so it can be difficult to keep the wheels on the ground. You shift back up to seventh again and then brake for the last chicane - the Ayrton Senna Kurve - into second gear. After this comes the final short straight and a quick fourth gear right hander into the small stadium section which is quite twisty. The quickest way through here is by having good downforce. The atmosphere is incredible � like a soccer stadium � with the crowds making a fantastic noise, often louder than the engines. There is a lot of grip in this section. You take the 180 degree Sachs turn in third which leads into the double right hander and then accelerate out onto the start-finish straight.�
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