Extra buzz of anticipation within BMW team for home race

Two years after Formula One's last appearance at the Hockenheimring in 2006, the circuit makes its return to the pinnacle of motor racing. Last year, the German race track didn't feature on the Formula One calendar as Hockenheimring and NÃ¼rburgring alternate on an annual basis as venue of the only Grand Prix now held on German soil.

Prior to this year's home race of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, Willy Rampf admits: "Needless to say, Hockenheim is a very special race for us, and there is an extra buzz of anticipation within the team."

Despite Hockenheim's one-year absence as GP venue, Rampf knows the circuit really well. "The circuit is characterized by slow and medium-speed corners, where you need a lot of downforce," he explains. "More than any other part of the track, the Motodrom is a key section when it comes to the lap time. However, you can't afford to ignore top speed altogether, as the best overtaking spot is going into the hairpin after the long Parabolika, which is taken flat-out. Here, as well as a good top speed, the most important thing for the drivers is high braking stability and optimum traction on the exit from the corner." Source BMW Sauber