What was once a flat out blast through the forests of Germany is no more. Hermann Tilke has changed the circuit almost beyond recognition and its a crying shame.

Hockenheim is now a mid speed circuit with hairpins and more turns. There is one long straight leading up to a tight hairpin, a favourite passing place. In fact the new Hockenheim is actually a haven for overtaking, with Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya's epic battle in 2002, and Jenson Button's amazing drive through the field in 2004.

The shortened circuit is also safer with large extended run off areas. However it doesn't compare to the old 4 mile thriller which was simply 3 long straights joined together with chicanes and a stadium section.

Kimi Raikkonen saw his luck fail once more in 2005, with Alonso cruising to victory, while Villeneuve decided to play high-speed tag with Monteiro on the run up to the hairpin. Expect more of the same in 2006.

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