Now with the new Hockenheimring the cars no longer take to the forests but shortly after leaving the stadium area make a right turn into a long sweeping corner that takes the cars to a hairpin bend and back on to the old part of the circuit.

As a result of these changes the circuit has been shortened by 2.3 kilometres. The design aims to improve the chances for overtaking through the new hair-pin and right-left corner. BMW WilliamsF1 driver
Ralf Schumacher was one of the very first to be allowed to drive on this new Hockenheimring. Ralf took to the circuit in a BMW X5 car. His first impressions were: "You now don't have to drive into the woods on senseless unending straights anymore. The new circuit layout is certainly better and provides a greater challenge to the drivers."

As for his feelings about the changes to the circuit, for Ralf they were mixed as it was at this circuit that he would win in 2001. Ralf added: "There is also a sad side to all this. After all, I did win here last year.”

As for how Ralf sees the new circuit he commented: "There are definitely two places to overtake. For one: the second corner after the start-finish line; the other is the new hair-pin."