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| Nürburgring GP-Strecke | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nürburgring GP-Strecke |
| Location | Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany |
| Coordinates | 50°19′N 6°56′E |
| Opened | 1984 |
| Capacity | 150,000 |
| Owner | Nürburgring GmbH |
| Operator | Nürburgring GmbH |
| Layout1 | Grand Prix Circuit |
| Length km | 5.138 |
| Turns | 16 |
| Record time | 1:28.130 |
| Record driver | Sebastian Vettel |
| Record year | 2013 |
| Record class | Formula One |
Nürburgring GP-Strecke The Nürburgring GP-Strecke is a permanent motorsport circuit adjacent to the historic Nordschleife in Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Designed in the 1980s amid debates involving Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, Bernie Ecclestone, and regional authorities, the GP-Strecke serves contemporary Formula One, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, 24 Hours Nürburgring support events and testing for manufacturers like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. The venue is managed by Nürburgring GmbH and has hosted rounds for series promoted by FIA, FIM, and DTM promoters.
The GP-Strecke was conceived after safety concerns during Formula One races on the older Nordschleife culminated following the 1976 German Grand Prix and interventions by figures such as Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, and Graham Hill. Funding and planning involved negotiations with the German government, local authorities in Adenau and Mayen-Koblenz, and investors including Formula One Administration. Construction began in 1982 with civil engineers and architects influenced by contemporary circuits like Hockenheimring and Silverstone. The new circuit debuted in 1984, hosting European Touring Car Championship rounds, and later alternating German Grand Prix dates with Hockenheimring until Formula One World Championship changes in the 2000s. Ownership and management shifts involved Capricorn Group, Tearfund, and ultimately a restructured Nürburgring GmbH with stakeholders including Saarland and Rheinland-Pfalz authorities.
The GP-Strecke layout features 16 turns over approximately 5.1 km, comprising sectors used by Formula One, DTM, FIA GT Championship, and endurance test programs for BMW, Volkswagen, and Toyota. Key corners and sections are informed by design principles similar to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Monza, and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, balancing high-speed straights with technical complexes used in driver training by FIA Institute programs and manufacturer development departments like Porsche Motorsport. Configurations include the Grand Prix Circuit proper, short variants for club events promoted by ADAC, and combined layouts linking to the Nordschleife for endurance formats like the 24 Hours Nürburgring.
The complex houses grandstands, VIP suites, media centers conforming to FIA standards, paddock areas servicing teams from Formula One Management and DTM operators, technical inspection pits used by FIA World Endurance Championship entrants, and hospitality zones for partners such as Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG. Engineering facilities include vehicle test bays utilised by Porsche AG, BMW M GmbH, and Audi Sport for homologation testing, while shared services integrate with local emergency responders including the German Red Cross and Technisches Hilfswerk. Onsite logistics connect with regional transport via Bundesautobahn 48 and rail links to Koblenz and Mayen.
The GP-Strecke has hosted rounds of Formula One, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, FIA GT Championship, Superbike World Championship, and ADAC GT Masters. Manufacturers use the circuit for press launches and testing alongside championships such as FIA World Rallycross Championship support races and club series promoted by ADAC and DMSB. Notable race weekends featured drivers and teams from Scuderia Ferrari, McLaren, Williams, Red Bull Racing, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Brawn GP, and privateer entries from Manthey Racing and Rowe Racing.
Safety upgrades have been iterative, prompted by incidents influencing FIA circuit safety criteria and led by collaborations with organizations including FIA Safety Department, Deutsche Verkehrswacht, and circuit designers who also worked on Circuit Paul Ricard. Renovations in the 1990s and 2000s improved runoff areas, barrier systems from SAFER inspired designs, paddock reconfigurations for Formula One Management requirements, and resurfacing projects undertaken by contractors experienced at Silverstone and Monza. Financial difficulties in the 2010s triggered further investment plans involving State Bank of North Rhine-Westphalia and private consortiums to modernize spectator amenities and comply with FIA Grade 1 criteria.
Official lap records include a Sebastian Vettel benchmark set during a Formula One demonstration and competitive pole laps by drivers from Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Kimi Räikkönen across different eras and classes. Endurance and GT records feature fastest times recorded by teams such as Manthey Racing, Rowe Racing, and factory entries from Porsche Manthey, while motorcycle lap benchmarks were set by riders competing under FIM sanctioning bodies. Manufacturers like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz often publicize test lap figures from development runs at the facility.
Spectators reach the venue via Bundesautobahn 1 and Bundesautobahn 48, with rail connections to Koblenz and regional shuttle services from Mayen and Adenau. Ticketing options are handled by Nürburgring GmbH box office and official partners like ADAC, Ticketmaster affiliates, and hospitality providers including Porsche Experience Center programs. Visitor facilities encompass museums and exhibitions featuring collections from Nürburgring Museum, manufacturer displays by Porsche, BMW, and Audi, driving experiences organized by FIA-licensed schools, and accommodation partnerships with hotels in Nürburg and nearby Mayen-Koblenz municipalities.
Category:Racing circuits in Germany