Sachsenring, Racing Circuit

The Sachsenring lies on the edge of Hohenstein-Ernstthal in Saxony, eastern Germany, where local racing traces back to road races organised in the mid-1920s. The original public-road circuit closed in 1990, and a purpose-built permanent track reopened on the site in May 1996. Further changes ahead of the 2001 season added a new section designed by Hermann Tilke, and the layout reached its current form in 2003. The modern Grand Prix configuration is a tight, twisting 3.671 km lap with 13 turns that runs anticlockwise, an unusual direction that contributes to its distinctive challenge. It opens with a sinuous series of sweeping curves before a faster back section with considerable elevation change, including a dramatic downhill right-hander known as the Waterfall that was introduced in Tilke's 2001 redesign. The reprofiled Omega curve is another defining feature of the modern circuit. Since 1998 the Sachsenring has hosted the German round of MotoGP, having taken the event over from the Nurburgring. On four wheels it has been a regular host of the ADAC GT Masters and earlier staged DTM rounds and the STW touring car cup, while also serving as one of the ADAC's main driver-training facilities. The circuit holds FIA Grade 2 and FIM Grade A certifications. A shorter Omega configuration of around 2.10 km with 11 turns is also available for smaller events.

Operated by: Sachsenring Rennstrecken GmbH