Nürburgring Nordschleife
Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
First GP: 1951 · Last GP: 2013 · 22 Grands Prix
Circuit Overview
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the most legendary and feared circuit in motorsport history. The 20.832 km circuit winds through the Eifel mountains of Germany, featuring 154 corners, dramatic elevation changes of over 300 metres, and conditions that can change from sunshine to fog to rain within a single lap. Jackie Stewart famously nicknamed it "The Green Hell" — a name that has stuck for over 50 years. The Nordschleife was used for the German Grand Prix from 1951 to 1976, when Niki Lauda's near-fatal crash forced a rethink of safety. The circuit was so dangerous that drivers had to be insured separately for it — normal racing insurance did not cover the Nordschleife. The 1976 German Grand Prix, when Lauda's Ferrari burst into flames on the second lap, was the defining moment in the circuit's F1 history. Lauda was trapped in the burning wreckage for nearly a minute before fellow drivers pulled him free. The circuit returned to the F1 calendar in 1984 using a shorter GP circuit, but the Nordschleife itself has not been used for F1 since 1976. Today, the Nordschleife is used for endurance racing and manufacturer testing, and remains the ultimate benchmark for road car performance.
Circuit History
The Nürburgring was built between 1925 and 1927 as a public works project to provide employment in the economically depressed Eifel region. The circuit was designed by Gustav Eichler and built at a cost of 14 million Reichsmarks. The first race was held in 1927. The circuit hosted the German Grand Prix from 1951 to 1976, with the exception of 1959 and 1960 (when the race was held at AVUS) and 1970 (when it was held at Hockenheim). The 1957 German Grand Prix is widely regarded as the greatest race in F1 history — Juan Manuel Fangio overcame a 48-second deficit after a pit stop to win by 3 seconds, setting a new lap record on every lap of his comeback. The 1976 German Grand Prix saw Niki Lauda's near-fatal crash, which effectively ended the Nordschleife's use for F1. The circuit returned in 1984 using a shorter GP circuit, and hosted the German Grand Prix until 2013.
Technical Challenges
- Flugplatz — cars become airborne at this section, requires precise setup
- Karussell — banked hairpin, unique to the Nordschleife, requires specific technique
- Bergwerk — blind corner in a dip, extremely dangerous
- Brünnchen — series of fast corners through a valley, demands commitment
- Changing weather — different conditions at different parts of the 20 km circuit
- Blind corners — many corners cannot be seen until the car is already committed
Famous Races
Greatest drive in F1 history — overcomes 48-second deficit to win.
Lauda's near-fatal crash on lap 2 — Hunt wins, Lauda survives.
First race on new GP circuit — Prost wins.
Schumacher wins in wet conditions — masterful drive.
Last German GP at Nürburgring — Vettel wins on home soil.
Nürburgring Nordschleife — Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Nürburgring called the Green Hell?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife was nicknamed "The Green Hell" by Jackie Stewart, who raced there in the 1960s and 1970s. The name refers to the circuit's extreme danger, its location in the green Eifel forest, and the almost supernatural challenge it presented to drivers. Stewart won the 1968 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in thick fog, a performance considered one of the greatest in F1 history.
How long is the Nürburgring Nordschleife?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is 20.832 km (12.944 miles) long, making it by far the longest circuit ever used in Formula 1. The circuit has 154 corners and an elevation change of over 300 metres. A single lap of the Nordschleife takes around 7-8 minutes in a modern racing car.
What happened to Niki Lauda at the Nürburgring in 1976?
Niki Lauda suffered a near-fatal accident at the 1976 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. His Ferrari burst into flames on the second lap after a crash at the Bergwerk section. Lauda was trapped in the burning wreckage for nearly a minute before fellow drivers Brett Lunger, Arturo Merzario, Harald Ertl, and Guy Edwards pulled him free. Lauda suffered severe burns and lung damage but remarkably returned to racing just six weeks later.
What is the Nürburgring lap record?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for Formula 1 cars is 6:11.13, set by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 during the 1983 1000km of Nürburgring. For the GP circuit, the F1 lap record is held by Michael Schumacher. The Nordschleife record has stood for over 40 years.
Is the Nürburgring still used for Formula 1?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife has not been used for Formula 1 since 1976, following Niki Lauda's near-fatal accident. The shorter GP circuit hosted the German Grand Prix from 1984 to 2013, but the circuit has not hosted an F1 race since 2013. The Nordschleife is still used for endurance racing and manufacturer testing.
What was the greatest race at the Nürburgring?
The 1957 German Grand Prix is widely regarded as the greatest race in F1 history. Juan Manuel Fangio overcame a 48-second deficit after a pit stop to win by 3 seconds, setting a new lap record on every lap of his comeback. Fangio himself described it as the greatest drive of his career.
How many corners does the Nürburgring Nordschleife have?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife has 154 corners, including many blind corners, crests, and dramatic elevation changes. The sheer number and variety of corners makes the Nordschleife the most demanding circuit ever used in Formula 1 — drivers needed to memorise hundreds of reference points to drive it at the limit.
Why was the Nürburgring removed from the F1 calendar?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife was removed from the F1 calendar after the 1976 German Grand Prix, following Niki Lauda's near-fatal accident. The circuit was considered too dangerous for modern F1 cars — its length meant that safety cars and medical vehicles could not reach an accident quickly, and the barriers were inadequate by modern standards.
What is the difference between the Nordschleife and the GP circuit?
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the original 20.832 km circuit through the Eifel mountains. The GP circuit is a shorter, modern 5.148 km circuit built adjacent to the Nordschleife in 1984. The GP circuit meets modern F1 safety standards and hosted the German Grand Prix from 1984 to 2013. The Nordschleife is used for endurance racing and the famous Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Who has won the most German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring?
Michael Schumacher won the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring multiple times, including in 1995, 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2006. His success at the circuit, close to his home in Kerpen, made him a hero to German fans. Juan Manuel Fangio also won multiple times at the Nordschleife.
Circuit Facts
- Country
- Germany
- Circuit Type
- Permanent
- Length
- 20.832 km (Nordschleife) / 5.148 km (GP circuit)
- First GP
- 1951
- Last GP
- 2013
- Total GPs
- 22