Nurburgring stats, facts, fastest lap times and curios

Published: 20 May 2009 Updated: 01 February 2015

Anoraks’ ahoy! A few facts and figures about the Nurburgring (aka the Ring)

1) It’s no wonder the Nurburgring is so hard to learn. It’s one of the world’s longest circuits, at 12.7 miles and 73 bends. The number of corners is in fact disputed, so wiggly is the Nordschleife.

2) The Ring was built in 1925. At a stroke, it helped alleviate local unemployment and served as a testing facility for the burgeoning German motor industry.

3) The old Ring comprised of two circuits which could be used either together (producing a total of 172 corners!) or as separate entities. The Nordschleife (North Loop) measured 14.2 miles and the Sudschleife (South Loop) a ‘mere’ 4.8 miles. The pits and paddock were located at the intersection of the two layouts.

4) The Nordschleife is still used today for a bonkers 24-hour touring car event, which regularly attracts 150 entrants.

5) Jackie Stewart scored perhaps his most famous victory in the 1968 German Grand Prix, winning by over four minutes in driving rain and thick fog.

6) A new track was built in 1984 and was christened with a race for Formula 1 drivers of various eras in identical Mercedes 190s. A young rookie by the name of Ayrton Senna upstaged a star-studded line-up that included Alain Prost, Keke Rosberg, Alan Jones, James Hunt, Stirling Moss, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme and Jack Brabham.