Ralf Schumacher Joins Hockenheim Critics

Ralf Schumacher joined the chorus of criticism of the Hockenheim track on Friday, saying he would like the German Grand Prix to switch to a more modern circuit.

The venue for Sunday's race has hardly changed since it first hosted the event in 1970 and is now at risk of losing it unless it undergoes a facelift.

Nurburgring, which has recently been modernised, is not an option as it already hosts the European Grand Prix but a new track in Brandenburg, just outside Berlin, could replace Hockenheim.

"I would go to Brandenburg because we would then have a track up to date with the latest technology which is no longer the case here," said the younger Schumacher, when asked if he could imagine the German Grand Prix moving to the Lausitzring, due to be inaugurated next month.

"But I would miss Hockenheim because the atmosphere here is unique."

The Williams driver, who came 14th in Friday's opening practice session following engine trouble, said the surface of the 6.8-kilometre course was uneven, causing rainwater to collect on the track, while visibility was poor in some sections.

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, set to meet officials from the southwestern Baden-Wuerttemberg region on Sunday to discuss the track's future, also dislikes the venue.

He said stands for an extra 25,000 spectators were needed as well as a shorter distance between the car parks and the track, a new pit lane and improved VIP and media facilities.

According to German weekly Auto, Motor und Sport, Ecclestone will be presented with a plan to refurbish Hockenheim for some 95 million marks ($44.92 million), with the circuit shortened to 4.5 kilometres.

Hockenheim, a sleepy little town in southwestern Germany which comes to life only during the race weekend, is contracted to keep the German Grand Prix until 2001.

The second longest track on the calendar after Spa and the second fastest after Monza, it is particularly tough on engines, tyres and brakes.

The cars go full out for 73 percent of the lap -- more than on any other Formula One track -- with speeds in excess of 350 kilometres per hour.

Aerodynamics and horsepower count for more than driving skills on what was the favourite circuit of former Brazilian great Ayrton Senna.

Senna once said: "When you come out of the silence of the straights in the forest into the Motodrome, with its football-stadium atmosphere, you get goose-pimples all over your body. This is a feeling you will get nowhere else in the world."