Formula One returned to Germany for this past weekend’s titular race. After a two year absence, the returning Hockenheimring delivered in the closing stages of the race. While the chaos has since cooled down, we’re heading back to the circuit, albeit in a virtual capacity.
Codemasters has released new gameplay footage of the venue in F1 2018. You’ll tag alongside Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg for a lap around his home circuit.
Right off the bat, the German driver barrels down the start/finish straight and into Turn 1. This high-speed corner allows him to carry much of his speed through to the next straight. Then it’s a heavy braking zone as the R.S.18 approaches Turn 2.
This leads into a right-left complex. The Hulk gets onto on the throttle early as he exits, heading into the Parabolika. The long, fast curve carries you into the second heavy braking zone, this time for the Turn 6 hairpin. It’s very easy to overcook the corner here and run wide, but Hulkenberg knows his stuff.
Early on the throttle again, he quickly approaches the sweeping right of Turn 7 into Mercedes (Turn 8). Nico is quick to point out the the nice flowing section and everything being medium speed. On exit, he sweeps past the hardly noticeable Turn 9 into the quick right of Turn 10.
Flat through the right-handed turn, he lets to car run wide onto the curb. Why? To take Turn 11’s Mobil 1 corner flat out. Now he’s in the final sector, which he is quick to acknowledge “always has a good atmosphere”.
It’s back on the brakes on the way to Sachs and into the quick left-right corners of Turns 13 and 14. This is another area where it’s easy to run wide and miss the apex, so keep an eye out through these corners when its your turn.
The last section, a double right-hander, brings him back to the start/finish straight. As Hulkenberg points out, the section is pretty narrow so you’ll want to carry as much speed as you can.
F1 2018 releases on all platforms on August 24. Keep an eye peeled for more on the upcoming racer as it’s available.
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