Located in Germany’s Eifel region, the Nürburgring is one of the world’s most significant motorsport complexes and one of the defining places in automotive culture. Since opening in 1927, it has evolved from an extraordinary interconnected system of racing circuits into an international centre for motorsport, engineering, vehicle development and enthusiast activity.
Today the Nürburgring brings together two independently operating circuits—the legendary Nordschleife and the modern Grand Prix Circuit—which can also be connected for selected configurations and events. Around them has developed an extensive ecosystem of paddocks, engineering facilities, visitor attractions, hotels, restaurants and specialist automotive businesses.
For almost a century, the Nürburgring has connected professional competition with the automotive industry and enthusiast driving in a way few other venues have achieved. Its importance therefore extends considerably beyond any individual circuit or championship.
In Brief
- The Nürburgring opened in 1927 in Germany’s Eifel region.
- The original complex comprised the Nordschleife, Südschleife and connecting sections.
- Today its principal circuits are the Nordschleife and Grand Prix Circuit.
- The two circuits operate independently but can also form combined configurations for selected events.
- The modern Grand Prix Circuit opened in 1984.
- The Nürburgring remains an important centre for motorsport, automotive development and enthusiast driving.
History
The Nürburgring was inaugurated in 1927 as one of Europe’s most ambitious motorsport projects. Conceived partly to stimulate employment and economic activity in the Eifel while providing Germany with a major racing and testing facility, the original complex comprised the Nordschleife, Südschleife and connecting sections capable of forming the enormous Gesamtstrecke.
The Nürburgring subsequently became one of the defining venues of European motor racing, hosting Grand Prix cars, sports cars, touring cars and motorcycles. Its scale, difficult terrain and rapidly changing conditions established a formidable reputation, while the surrounding Eifel landscape became inseparable from the identity of the circuit.
Changing safety requirements eventually transformed the complex. Construction of the modern Grand Prix Circuit, opened in 1984, provided Nürburgring with a contemporary venue for international competition while allowing the Nordschleife to retain much of its historic form and develop a distinct role of its own.
The result is unusual among major motorsport venues: two circuits from fundamentally different eras coexist within one complex, can operate independently and, for certain events, can still be connected. This relationship between historic and contemporary infrastructure remains central to the Nürburgring’s identity.
The Nürburgring Complex
The Nürburgring should be understood as a motorsport destination rather than a single circuit. Its two principal tracks serve different purposes while sharing infrastructure and contributing to the identity of the wider complex.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife is the historic northern circuit, renowned for its extraordinary length, elevation and complexity. It remains active for competition, automotive development and public driving, giving it a role extending far beyond historic preservation.
The Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit represents the modern competition side of the complex. Opened in 1984, it provides contemporary circuit infrastructure for international and national motorsport and can operate independently or contribute sections to combined Nürburgring configurations.
Around the circuits, the Nürburgring incorporates paddocks, event and hospitality facilities, the Nürburgring Boulevard and ring°werk, together with hotels and visitor services. An extensive network of automotive businesses and engineering operations in the surrounding region further extends the complex beyond its physical boundaries.
The Nürburgring has occupied a central position in European motorsport since 1927, hosting Grand Prix racing, sports cars, touring cars, motorcycles and endurance competition across successive generations. Its history encompasses both the original circuit complex and the modern Grand Prix Circuit, allowing the venue to remain active as international motorsport changed around it.
Its importance extends equally into automotive engineering and vehicle development, with the Nürburgring and surrounding region supporting manufacturers, suppliers and specialist engineering businesses. The combination of competition, testing and development has made the name Nürburgring synonymous not only with racing, but with the evaluation of performance automobiles themselves.
Few venues connect professional motorsport, automotive engineering and enthusiast participation so completely. From major international races and the 24 Hours Nürburgring to manufacturer development and public driving, the complex remains a living automotive environment rather than simply a historic racing venue.
Visitor Experience
The Nürburgring offers several fundamentally different ways to experience the same motorsport destination. Visitors may attend major races on the Grand Prix Circuit, endurance competition using combined configurations, or events centred upon the Nordschleife, while the Boulevard and ring°werk provide activities independent of track competition.
Driving forms an unusually important part of the experience. Track activities, driving programmes and passenger experiences allow visitors to encounter the Nürburgring from inside a vehicle, while the Nordschleife’s famous Touristenfahrten provides its own distinctive form of public access.
The experience also extends beyond the circuit boundaries. Hotels, restaurants, workshops and automotive businesses throughout the surrounding communities create an environment strongly shaped by the Nürburgring, making a visit to the Eifel feel less like attending an isolated sporting venue and more like entering an entire motorsport community.
Location
The Nürburgring is situated near Nürburg in Germany’s Eifel Mountains, approximately 70 kilometres south-west of Cologne.
The surrounding volcanic landscape, forests and traditional villages contribute significantly to the character of the complex and have helped establish it as one of Europe’s most recognisable motorsport destinations.
Address
Otto-Flimm-Straße
53520 Nürburg
Rheinland-Pfalz
Germany
Website