Ralf gives Hockenheim thumbs up
Ralf Schumacher is the latest driver to endorse the changes that have been made to the Hockenheim circuit. The German lapped the track with the architect of the new layout, Hermann Tilke, and pronounced himself happy with the revised section, which cuts out a lot of the long straights that were a prominent characteristic of the original design.
"The new circuit layout is certainly better and provides a greater challenge to the drivers," he said. "You now don't have to drive into the woods on senseless unending straights anymore. There are definitely two places to overtake. For one: the second corner after the start/finish line; the other is the new hairpin."
Ironically, the revised layout may have reduced the Williams driver's chances of winning this year's German GP. Last year the mighty horsepower of the BMW engine allowed Ralf and team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya to dominate the race, with Schumacher taking the win after Montoya's engine blew.
"There is also a sad side to all this," added Ralf. "After all, I did win here last year!"
F1 cars will run on the revised Hockenheim circuit in anger for the first time on July 26, when the first session of free practice for the German GP kicks off.
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