Formula One / Thomas Cowie / 09 July 2009 /

Tom Cowie reports on the varied history and current setup of the venue for the German Grand Prix.

Round Nine of the Championship takes us to the Nurburgring for the German Grand Prix. Better known as the venue for the European GP, the Nurburgring last hosted the German GP in 1985 - the first F1 race to be held at the 'new' circuit.

Known simply as 'The Ring', the old manifestation of the Nurburgring was a 13 mile, 73 corner monster. The Grand Prix distance was covered in just 14 laps and was fraught with danger - even by F1's standards.

Cars became airborne over blind crests, whilst the penalty for making a mistake would be a heavy impact with one of the many telegraph poles or road signs that bordered the track. Niki Lauda's miraculous escape from a fiery crash in '76 proved to be the incident from which common sense finally prevailed.

The current circuit was opened with an exhibition saloon car race in 1984, the all-star grid being led home by a young Brazilian by the name of Ayrton Senna.

After 1985, F1 did not travel to the Nurburgring, until the growing popularity of Michael Schumacher in the 1990s made it commercially viable to run a second race in Germany each year.

In 1995, the European GP was reintroduced, with the Nurburgring being added to the schedule alongside the German GP at Hockenheim.

In 1997, in a farcical attempt to divert attention from the fact that Germany was hosting two races each year, the race was renamed the Luxembourg GP - the third GP moniker that the venue has hosted.

The European GP moniker returned in 1999, and remained until 2007. In that time, the circuit saw some notable races, including Stewart Grand Prix's first (and last) win in '99, and Kimi Raikkonen's spectacular last lap retirement in 2005, when a flat spotted tyre caused the Finn to suffer suspension failure at over 150 mph.

Back in 2007, Fernando Alonso won here for Mclaren, preceding one of the most acrimonious team and driver divorces in F1 history. Webber and Coulthard finished third and fifth respectively, in what may prove to be a good omen for the Australian and his young German teammate.

Sebastian Vettel's drive at Silverstone was one of maturity and purpose, and the local hero finds himself at [2.52] for victory on Sunday. He would dearly love to win in front of his home crowd, cranking up the pressure on Jenson Button in the process.

Despite a poor race by his standards at Silverstone, the Briton still enjoys a 23 point lead in the standings, and will be keen to re establish Brawn's dominance. At [2.94] for the win, it could be a close run thing between himself and Vettel.

The battle between the teammates is also heating up, with Mark Webber ([8.6]) and Rubens Barrichello ([13.5]) both keen to step out from their respective teammate's shadow. Webber in particular knows that he must deliver or face the prospect of acting as Vettel's rear gunner for the remainder of the season.

The circuit may favour the Brawn, however. It is a flowing track with a variety of corners, which will suit Button's smooth style, as long at he can get his tyres up to temperature. The Red Bull is strong in high speed corners, but it will need to deliver a good all round package to be successful here.

At Silverstone, Button didn't read the script, failing to win his home race. Three weeks later, and it is the turn of his young Championship rival to have a shot at winning on his own patch - and with the European GP now residing in Spain, this is his only chance.

As we reach the half way stage in the Championship, the next few races will be crucial in determining whether Button will cruise to the title, or whether he will be pushed all the way to Abu Dhabi by Germany's new wunderkind.

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