2004 European GP Facts & Figures

By Andrew Hooper
May 25 2004

 

 

  
Facts & Figures
 
- This year will be the 34th time that the Nürburgring has hosted a Formula
One Grand Prix.

- The original circuit was opened on 18th June 1927, with Formula One
visiting the Eifel region for the first time on 29th July 1951 for the German
Grand Prix. The event subsequently moved to Berlin’s Avus track in the
late 1950s and then on to Hockenheim in the early 1970s.

- The new Nürburgring was opened on 12th May 1984. Since then, Formula
One has retuned to the Eifel region eight times for the European Grand
Prix, twice for the Luxembourg Grand Prix (1997 and 1998) and once for

- Between 1999 and 2001, the Nürburgring underwent further
modernisation, with a new pit complex and press centre built near the
start/finish straight.

- In 2002, the “Mercedes Arena” (a stadium-like section) was completed
which extended the course by some 600 metres.

- Track length is now 5.148 kilometres, with a total race distance of 308.863
kilometres (60 laps).

- Last year the Nürburgring played host to one of the BMW WilliamsF1
Team’s greatest triumphs of the season when the team claimed its second
win of the year and it’s first of two 1 - 2 victories. Ralf Schumacher claimed
the win in 2003, ahead of his team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya.

- Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes) claimed last year’s pole position with
a lap time of 1:31.523m as well as securing the fastest lap of the race with
a1:32.621m. Despite his efforts, the Finn did not manage to finish the
race.

- At last year’s European Grand Prix, BMW and WilliamsF1 announced a
contract extension which will see their partnership continue through to the
end of 2009.

- Prior to last season’s victory, WilliamsF1 has won twice at the Nürburgring,
both times with Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve in 1996 and 1997.

- The European Grand Prix starts at 14:00 hrs local time on Sunday 30th May.
 
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