European GP preview - statistics and trivia.

The European GP this weekend is held at the Nurburgring, Germany. The track had a major re-design this year, which includes a new, much sharper first corner expected to generate more overtaking opportunities. Here you can find out all you need to know about the circuit, memorable moments and a lot, lot more:

"No track is static. You make it, design it, you build it, and then after that, every few years, you do some improvements." - Circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

1. Track:

Length: 4.556 km
Number of Corners: 15
Race lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya, 1m18.354s, set in 2001
Maximum speed: 300 km/h approaching the Veedol corner

Testing factor: The very tight first corner is a difficult one to get through, and many believe that could lead to problems as the 22-car field heads into it at the start of the race.

History: The N?rburgring was born in 1984, on top of the southern loop of the old Nordschleife track, which itself was a legendary 22.5km long circuit. It was deemed unsafe in 1976, when Niki Lauda narrowly escaped death after his car burst into flames following a heavy crash, and replaced by a very different circuit. The track held German and Luxembourg Grands Prix before becoming the permanent home of the European Grand Prix in 1999.

2. Driver results at the N?rburgring:

Most poles: David Coulthard (2 - 1995, 2000); Michael Schumacher (2 - 1998, 2001)
Most wins: Michael Schumacher (3 - 1995, 2000, 2001)

3. Team results at the N?rburgring:

Most poles: Williams (2 - 1995, 1996); McLaren (2 - 1997, 2000); Ferrari (2 - 1998, 2001)
Most wins: Ferrari (3 - 1985, 2000, 2001)

4. Lookback - Memorable moments:

Last Renault victory: the N?rburgring was the venue for Renault's most recent victory in Formula 1, with Jacques Villeneuve heading a 1-2-3-4 finish for Renault-powered cars in his Championship year. Villeneuve also won his first Grand Pirx at the circuit in 1996.

Brotherly love: Ralf Schumacher took out both his brother Michael after colliding with his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella in the opening corner of the 1997 race. It was the young German's first season in Formula One.

Roll-over: Brazilian Pedro Diniz ended up upside down in his Sauber and was lucky to escape injury when the roll hoop broke during the crash.

5. Last year:

Pole: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 1m14.960s
Winner: Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 1h29m42.724s
Fastest lap: Juan Pablo Montoya, 1m18.354s
Retirements: 7

Missing lines: Ralf Schumacher's hopes of a competitive race were dashed when he accidentally crossed the white line at the exit of the pitlane in a desperate bid to get back on the track as quickly as possible. The unfortunate German was penalised with a 10-second stop-go penalty.

No troubles: Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW, the top three teams last season, filled the top six places as both of each team's cars reached the chequered flag in what ended up being a very reliable race.

6. Trivia:

The old N?rburgring circuit hosted the longest Formula 1 Grand Prix ever in 1954, which was won by Juan Manuel Fangio in 3 hours 45 minutes and 46 seconds.

Johnny Herbert scored the only victory as a constructor for former world champion Jackie Stewart in 1997, before the Scot sold his team to Ford and it became Jaguar Racing.

The European Grand Prix has been held at four different circuits since its inauguration in 1983, the others being Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Jerez.

The track runs through the picturesque Eifel mountain scenery and the terrain is notorious for attracting rain storms at any moment.