Mercedes unveils new grandstand at Hockenheim.
The attractive new Mercedes grandstand at the shortened and rebuilt Hockenheimring grand prix circuit is currently in the final stages of construction and will be finished - after a build time of just three months - in time for the German Grand Prix on 28 July.
The new grandstand, which was officially inaugurated yesterday [Wednesday], has a capacity of 6,500 seats on two decks. It is 110 metres long and 30 metres high and is located at the centre of the new part of the track.
The attractive new Mercedes grandstand at the shortened and rebuilt Hockenheimring grand prix circuit is currently in the final stages of construction and will be finished - after a build time of just three months - in time for the German Grand Prix on 28 July.
The new grandstand, which was officially inaugurated yesterday [Wednesday], has a capacity of 6,500 seats on two decks. It is 110 metres long and 30 metres high and is located at the centre of the new part of the track.
The view from the Mercedes grandstand will be extraordinary. From their vantage point, spectators look at about two kilometres of the now 4.574km track and - according to computer simulations - will be able to watch the cars about 30 seconds per lap. That means spectators will see approximately one third of a race. Moreover, due to the shortened track, the number of laps is increased from 45 to 67, and, with the new part of the track in front of the Mercedes grandstand leading into the new hairpin, offers the best view of overtaking opportunities.
Former grand prix driver Jean Alesi, who is now competing in the DTM in a Mercedes-Benz CLKDTM, was the first to drive on the rebuilt track with a race car.
"This is a masterpiece of a racetrack, which I am sure both drivers and spectators will enjoy," he said, "The new part of the track offers everything a Formula One car needs for passing manoeuvres. First they approach the corner with more than 300kph, then they have to slow down to about 80kph. The corner is wide enough to allow different lines. This is exemplary and I expect an exciting German Grand Prix."
Spectators on the Mercedes grandstand will be able to watch the rest of the race as well, because on the opposite side there will be a giant TV screen. On the back side of the grandstand there will be a show stage where West McLaren Mercedes third driver Alexander Wurz as well as team principal Ron Dennis and Norbert Haug, the vice-president Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, and the Mercedes-Benz DTM drivers are expected to appear for the visitors of the Mercedes grandstand during the GP weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, an 'After Qualifying Party' will round off the Formula One experience at the grandstand. There, spectators can win a ride in a Mercedes-Benz CLK-DTM during one of the next DTM events or a VIP invitation for the Mercedes-Benz end-of-season 'Stars & Cars' party in November.
