About

The Hockenheimring was once one of the fastest circuits in the world, but has changed a lot over the years, with its most recent major overhaul taking place in 2002.

Plans to build the Hockenheimring circuit, located in the Rhine Valley, were approved on Christmas Day in 1931. The original track was 12km and in a triangular shape. National races regularly took place on the circuit over the next forty years, but it wasn’t until 1970 – when a replacement was needed for the dangerous Nurburgring – that Formula 1 first visited the track. The 1970 German Grand Prix was to be the only F1 race at the track for a while, until the near-fatal accident of Niki Lauda at the Nurburgring in 1976 ensured the sport never returned to the full Nordschleife layout again.

Every time the German Grand Prix has been held since 1977, except in 1985, the event has been held at Hockenheim. The track ran out through forestry, with long straights ensuring challenging afternoons for the engines, while high speed corners such as the Ostkurve tested the drivers’ bravery.

The circuit was radically shortened in 2002 by Hermann Tilke, with the long straights gone and the infamous Ostkurve finally removed after numerous redesigns. The stadium section of the track, so-called because it offers the best views for fans, was mostly unchanged, with the fan experience supposedly being bettered by the shortening of the track.

The Formula 1 German Grand Prix was last held at the Hockenheimring in 2019, when it was sponsored by Mercedes. In 2020, the Nurburgring in Germany hosted the Eifel Grand Prix. There are no current plans to include a German round on the Formula 1 calendar in the near future, but the Hockenheimring remains popular with other racing series, including DTM and other German series, as well as historic races.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events at the Hockenheimring

• April 28-30: ADAC Racing Weekend 2023
• May 5-7: Bosch Hockenhim Historic 2023
• August 25-27: Nitrolympix 2023 (Drag Racing)
• September 29-October 1: Hockenheim Classics 2023 (Motorbikes)
• October 20-22: DTM Hockenheimring 2023 (season finale)
• Browse all upcoming events at the Hockenheimring

Where to stay

The Hockenheimring is located in the Upper Rhine valley of Western Germany. The largest nearby towns are Mannheim or Heidelberg.

Hotel Motodrom (pictured below) is located at the back of the Main Grandstand at the Hockenheimring, but rooms are highly unlikely to be available during major race weekends. The town of Hockenheim does have a limited number of hotels, but you’ll need to book early for big events such as DTM and the German Grand Prix. Nearby, the ACHAT Premium Walldorf/Reilingen is popular with teams and racing personnel on major race weekends.

For larger events, we recommend looking for hotels in the larger nearby towns of Mannheim or Heidelberg – the former has direct trains to the circuit, while the latter is a prettier city. If you don’t mind a longer commute to the city, Stuttgart and Frankfurt are also worth considering.

How to get there

The Hockenheimring is located in the Rhine valley, near the town of Hockenheim in Baden-Württemberg.

The Hockenheim circuit is around 85km south of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), one of the largest and busiest in Europe. Alternatively, Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN) is 150km from the track and Stuttgart Airport (STR), is 120km south of the circuit.

How to get to the Hockenheimring:

• Train: Taking the train from one of the larger cities in the area is the most convenient way to access the circuit. The closest train station is in the town of Hockenheim, approximately 3km from the circuit entrance. The circuit is a 30 minute walk away, or you can take a free shuttle bus on German Grand Prix weekend.
• Car: The circuit is close to the A5 and A6 autobahns, providing good access from the surrounding areas. Most parking is free over Grand Prix weekend, though guarded parking must be booked in advance. More information here. Browse car rentals in the area with Rentalcars.com.

Guided Tours & Museum

• About: The 90-minute tour of the Hockenheimring includes visits to the race track, podium, South & East grandstands, pit lane, paddock and Ravenol building, which houses the race control room.
• When: Selected dates during the summer months, apart from the off-season (November to March) when you need to organize in advance (minimum 5 people – fuehrungen@hockenheimring.de)
• Cost: €12 for adults, €7 for children up to 17 years old
• More info: Click here

You can also visit the Hockenheimring Motor Sport Museum (pictured below), which is situated behind the South Grandstand and houses a large collection of race cars and motorbikes. The museum is open every day from 10:00-17:00 during the motorsport season (April to October) and on weekends during the off-season.

Track Days

• Driving Experiences: The “Race’n’Roll” experience, priced from €399, gives you 3 laps behind the wheel of a supercar on the circuit plus expert tuition. Learn more here.
• Passenger Experiences: Hockenheimring offers “Racetaxi” experiences where you can get in the passenger seat of a supercar and be driven around the track by a professional driver. From €319, more info here.
• Track Days: The circuit is opened for “Tourist Rides” on select dates throughout the year. Prices from €55 for 2 x 15 minute slots. More info here. Private companies also offer track days at the Hockenheimring – check upcoming dates.

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