Located within the legendary Nürburgring complex in the Eifel Mountains of western Germany, the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit represents the modern face of one of motorsport’s most iconic destinations. Opened in 1984 following the construction of a new permanent Formula One venue, the circuit combines world-class safety standards with a technically demanding layout that continues to host international championships across multiple racing disciplines.
While the neighbouring Nordschleife remains one of the world’s greatest engineering challenges, the Grand Prix Circuit was designed for the future of international motorsport. Wide run-off areas, modern infrastructure and a carefully balanced sequence of corners have made it one of Europe’s most versatile racing venues.
Today the circuit serves as the international competition centre of the Nürburgring, welcoming everything from GT racing and endurance events to touring cars, motorcycles and historic championships.
In Brief
- The Grand Prix Circuit opened in 1984 following the end of Formula One competition on the Nordschleife.
- It has hosted four different Formula One Grands Prix under different names: German, European, Luxembourg and Eifel.
- The Mercedes Arena is one of the circuit’s most recognisable technical sections.
- The Schumacher S honours Germany’s seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher.
- Multiple configurations allow the circuit to host a wide variety of international championships.
- Together with the Nordschleife, it forms one of the world’s most complete motorsport complexes.
History
Following the serious accident suffered by Niki Lauda during the 1976 German Grand Prix on the Nordschleife, Formula One’s future at the Nürburgring became increasingly uncertain.
Recognising the need for a modern international circuit, construction began on an entirely new Grand Prix facility adjacent to the historic Nordschleife. The Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit officially opened in 1984 with the inaugural European Grand Prix, famously won by Alain Prost after a support race featuring many of Formula One’s greatest champions.
Over the following decades the circuit hosted numerous editions of the German Grand Prix, European Grand Prix, Luxembourg Grand Prix and the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, while continuously evolving to meet the highest international safety standards.
Today it remains one of Germany’s premier venues for international motorsport.
Circuit Design
The Grand Prix Circuit measures 5.148 kilometres in its current Formula One configuration and consists of 15 corners arranged in a clockwise direction.
Unlike the Nordschleife, the circuit follows a compact and highly structured layout designed to evaluate every aspect of modern racing. Long straights are balanced by technical braking zones, medium-speed corners and flowing direction changes that reward complete vehicle performance.
The opening Mercedes Arena places particular emphasis on mechanical grip and traction before the circuit opens into faster sections where aerodynamic efficiency becomes increasingly important. The Schumacher S tests commitment at high speed before the technical final sector demands precision under braking and disciplined corner exits.
Several alternative layouts allow the venue to accommodate numerous categories of motorsport throughout the year.
LENGTH
5.148
kilometres
WIDTH
10–25
metres
DIRECTION
CW
clockwise
SURFACE
Asphalt
OPENED
1927
99 years ago
Corner Guide
The Nürburgring GP-Strecke combines technical low-speed sections with faster sweeping corners and substantial braking zones, producing a more conventional racing challenge than the neighbouring Nordschleife. The opening sequence through the tight first corner and Mercedes Arena places immediate emphasis on braking, rotation and traction before the circuit begins to develop greater speed.
The middle of the lap becomes increasingly flowing through Valvoline-Kurve, Ford-Kurve and Dunlop-Kehre, where elevation begins to contribute more strongly to the circuit’s character. The climb through the Schumacher-S section rewards commitment and stability at speed before the lap approaches the slower final sequence, where heavy braking into the chicane and Coca-Cola-Kurve creates further opportunities to attack or defend.
Although considerably shorter and more controlled than the Nordschleife, the GP-Strecke retains enough elevation and variation to avoid becoming purely technical. Its defining challenge comes from balancing braking performance and low-speed traction with confidence through its faster sections, rewarding a vehicle that remains predictable across a broad range of corner speeds.
| # | Corner |
|---|---|
| 1 | Yokohoma-S Right |
| 2 | T2 Left |
| 3 | T3 Left |
| 4 | T4 Right |
| 5 | T5 Left |
| 6 | T6 Right |
| 7 | T7 Right |
| 8 | T8 Left |
| 9 | T9 Right |
| 10 | T10 Left |
| 11 | Warsteiner-Kurve Right |
| 12 | ADVAN-Bogen Right |
| 13 | T13 Left |
| 14 | T14 Right |
| 15 | T15 Right |
The GP-Strecke opened a new chapter for the Nürburgring in 1984, restoring a modern international racing circuit to the complex after Formula One had outgrown the Nordschleife. It subsequently hosted Formula One under the European, Luxembourg and German Grand Prix titles, connecting the Nürburgring’s historic Grand Prix identity with contemporary competition.
Beyond Formula One, the circuit has supported a broad programme of GT, touring-car, endurance and motorcycle racing, including major international and German championships. Its modern paddock, safety infrastructure and alternative configurations allow it to function as the conventional competition centre of the wider Nürburgring complex.
Its significance is strengthened by its relationship with the Nordschleife, particularly when both circuits contribute to combined endurance configurations such as the 24 Hours Nürburgring. The GP-Strecke therefore serves two complementary roles: an independent modern racing circuit and the contemporary competition infrastructure connecting today’s motorsport with the Nürburgring’s extraordinary historic landscape.
Visitor Experience
The Grand Prix Circuit offers one of Europe’s most complete motorsport destinations.
Visitors enjoy excellent grandstand facilities, open paddock access during many events and modern hospitality overlooking several of the circuit’s most exciting corners. The nearby ring°werk, Nürburgring Boulevard and driving experiences create attractions that extend well beyond race weekends.
The proximity of the Nordschleife also allows visitors to experience two of the world’s most famous circuits during a single visit, making the Nürburgring complex unique within international motorsport.
Location
The Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit is located near Nürburg in Germany’s Eifel Mountains, directly alongside the historic Nordschleife.
Positioned approximately 70 kilometres south-west of Cologne, the venue forms the modern competition centre of the wider Nürburgring complex.
Address
Nürburgring Grand-Prix Strecke
53520 Nürburg
Rheinland-Pfalz
Germany
Website