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Nurburgring ?

Originally the home of the German Grand Prix Nurburgring is one of the oldest venues in Formula One. Originally built in 1925 this race track wound through a pine forest, over many hills for just under 18 miles, totally unsuitable for the modern F1 car. The first modification saw the southern part excluded, shortening the circuit to just over 14 miles and by the early 70’s the track was widened and bigger run off areas provided. Although this was an improvement, drivers continued to stress that the race track was becoming too dangerous for Formula One.

An unhappy truce existed between the drivers (led by Jackie Stewart) and the organisers until the well publicised crash in which Niki Lauda suffered severe burns in 1976. The Grand Prix did not return until after a new track had been built. In 1984 Nurburg hosted the European Grand Prix and it has been a venue for either European or German Grand Prix since then.

Before rebuilding the track this was a circuit where drivers could easily feel that they have gone for a drive in the country. In contrast the new track is short (2.8 miles) modern, and compact with huge run-off areas and can almost be described as antiseptic.

It is by no means an antiseptic circuit to drive on and most drivers like it. It is a medium speed track (average speed of 202mph), 4 slow corners out of 11, with three long straights where the modern F1 car should reach speeds in excess of 180mph.

I believe that this track will favour a reasonably high down force configuration as it has several fast corners as well as a long, flat out curved section leading up to the Dunlop Kurve. Carrying too little wing may get you ahead on the straight bits but you will loose too much ground on the fast corners.

McLaren should easily win this. They still have the horsepower advantage that will allow them more aerodynamical grip than any of the other teams. But Hakkinen has made so many mistakes under pressure this season that it would not be unreasonable to assume that he will try too hard again. Coulthard has been fastest in testing this week but there are rumours that McLaren will have team orders for the rest of the season and that could demotivate Coulthard to the point that he may not even finish in the points.

Ferrari. What do I say? They could get it right, but on the other hand they could make such a mess of their setup that finishing in the points would already be an achievement. I have just stopped believing that they are going to be on the pace. There have been a series of promises of better engines and aerodynamic bits AND THEY JUST SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE.

Williams could do well and now with Zanardi being on the pace could easily get one, possibly two, drivers on the podium. They will certainly both finish in the points providing that they do not retire or suffer mechanical difficulties. I still believe that Ralf is more consistent and will consequently be faster over the whole race than Zanardi.

Frentzen could do really well. The Jordan is fast and like the Williams seems to have a very effective balance between mechanical and aerodynamic grip. Frentzen is a steady, not adventurous, very fast pilot that knows how to get the best out of a car while saving it to finish the race. Unlike Hakkinen he does not get flustered into making mistakes. Hill on the other hand is only on the race track because he does not want to let his fans and the team down. It shows!

Benetton could do better than they did at Monza as their excellent mechanical grip will allow them to run very small wings to compensate for their lack of power. I will be surprised to see them in the top 4 as I do not believe that they will be able to run with the faster cars, but I will not be surprised to see Fisichella finish in the points.

Stewart may also get it right. I suspect that they are focussing on next year and if they do well it will be because they will be trying out some of the bits designed for the 2000 car. Barrichello is fast and if given a reasonable car, which I believe is possible, could finish on the podium.

I do not believe that any of the other teams have a chance, but it will be nice to see BAR finish another race.

Agree or disagree ?
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The Heretic