In quarantine with AUTOhebdo – V10 concerto in the forest in Hockenheim

For those under 20 who read us, the Hockenheim circuit (Germany) corresponds to a creation by Hermann Tilke without personality, a hairpin after a long straight, and that's about it. 

But in 2000, Hockenheim was synonymous with endless full loads, single-seaters launched at more than 300 km/h in the thick fir forest, before a return to the Stadium, where packed stands cheered on the star Michael Schumacher and the engine manufacturer Mercedes. 

The penultimate edition of the German Grand Prix on the ultra-fast 6,825 km circuit left its mark with its twists and turns. From the first corner, the crowd's favorite clashes with Giancarlo Fisichella (Benetton), leaving the way clear for the McLaren-Mercedes by Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard.

The reigning double world champion took control, until an unexpected event on the 25th lap. A former French employee of Mercedes, Robert Sehli, father of three children, furious at having been dismissed without valid reason, enters the circuit between the first and second corner. 

The Race Direction takes out the Safety Car in order to evict the individual from the enclosure. After spending a night at the station, he will be released on bail. His gesture, although extremely dangerous, will be useful to him: the Étoile brand will give him 91 francs for “unfair dismissal” following a trial in December. 

This neutralization benefits a certain Rubens Barrichello. The only Ferrari still in competition, starting from a distant 17th place following an oil leak in qualifying, made a brilliant comeback (without DRS, of course).

The Brazilian, still looking for his first success in F1 while he has been roaming the paddock for 7 years, finds himself in third place at the restart. However, the race was interrupted again, this time by a violent accident by Jean Alesi (Cheers), who escaped without injury. 

Can the drivers let go of the horsepower of their V10? Not completely, because the rain arrives on the 33rd passage! Only the Stadium is affected, which makes the tactical choice even more difficult: should we wear Rain tires or stay on slicks? Leader Mika Häkkinen takes the first option, while “Rubinho” pits. 

Will Brazil get the winner's trophy for the first time since Ayrton Senna's exploits in 1993? Will the McLaren with number 1 catch up with the car red ? Here are the last eight loops in full, without commentary, to get the most out of the engines and fan horns: