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Hermann Tilke, born Dec. 31, 1954, in Olpe, Germany, is an architect and designer of Formula One motor racing circuits...

Is Hermann Tilke Slowly Killing Formula One?

by Michael Griffin (Senior Writer)

32

920 reads

Opinion

August 28, 2008


Hermann Tilke, born Dec. 31, 1954, in Olpe, Germany, is an architect and designer of Formula One motor racing circuits.

 

Tilke established Tilke Engineering in 1984, combining skills in architecture, civil engineering and electronic engineering to provide complete solutions for motor racing and waste disposal projects.

 

One of his first, minor tasks was a short access road at the Nürburgring, earned due to contacts made by his racing efforts there. He later redesigned the first turn complex of the circuit in 2002.

 

Tilke’s first major redevelopment job was the dramatic change from the fast Österreichring to the much shorter A1-Ring in Austria, in 1996 and ready for 1997.

 

Having made numerous controversial changes to the established stable of F1 circuits, Tilke secured the contracts to design many high-profile new circuits from scratch. These include:

  • 1999 Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
  • 2004 Bahrain International Circuit, Bahrain
  • 2004 Shanghai International Circuit, China
  • 2005 Istanbul Racing Circuit, Turkey
  • 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore
  • 2008 Valencia Street Circuit, Spain
  • 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UAE
  • 2009 Cape Town Grand Prix, South Africa
  • 2010 Korean International Circuit, South Korea
  • 2010 Indian Grand Prix, India (Planned F1 Venue)

 

NOTE: If I have missed any, please inform me.

 

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32 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Billy Sexton 10 months ago

    interesting views
    for me, nothing can undo what he did to hockenheim... turn eight at istanbul is good... nothing else is that spectacular if i'm honest
    I didn't know he'd designed so many circuits though, he's making an awful lot of profit i'm guessing

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  2. L.J. Burgess 10 months ago

    Outstanding work Michael, a worthy read.

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  3. Long John Silver 10 months ago

    i think istanbul's turn 8 - is a master piece mate

    sorry we have to agree to disagree on Tilke

    sakhir and shanghai are also very challenging and provides ample overtaking opportunities

    michael won in shanghai from P6

    Kimster last year

    so - i think tilke killing f-1 - is actually an exaggeration

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    • Michael Griffin 10 months ago

      I never said that they don't rpovide overtaking opportunities, in-fact, I said they have a few, but the races do tend to be boring, apart from 2006 and 2007 in shanghai. apart from that, that is it really.

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  4. Long John Silver 10 months ago

    you've always had a thing for being a prima donna

    am still gonna hold you to the federer retiring at the end of NY this year

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  5. Long John Silver 10 months ago

    and Michael

    I still am a touch irked - that you left my Istanbul vote out of the RT ... for some reason am not able to let that go ...

    for i was the only one who even brought Istanbul into the discussion

    you should have included me Mike .... probably dont count the votes - but it irks me

    cheers

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  6. mark andrew 10 months ago

    Agree with you mike , Hockenheim is now majorly boring in comparison to the old one .

    I think the people who designed Spa's layout should take over , there arent enough forrest adventure type Grand Prix' , which i think are the most exciting , Herman Tilkke makes me wanna eat a Razor Blade sidewards .

    5* and POTD

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    • Long John Silver 10 months ago

      too much - as always .... too overboard

      like you wanna kill luca di - and tilke razor blade

      too much - vintage you !

      i think tilke is fine - definitely not razor blade domain

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    • Michael Griffin 10 months ago

      Sideways? Razor Blade? You REALLY don't like him haha!

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    • mark andrew 10 months ago

      Why whats wrong with that LJS ? If i wanna say he makes ME WANT TO EAT A RAZOR BLADE SIDEWARDS then ill say it , i didnt say id do anything to herman like your putting it across !!!!

      Im giving my opinion and Herman Tilkke circuits are boring , the only decent one in my eyes is actually Valencia , maybe singapore can change my mind but i doubt it .

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  7. Daniel Chalmers 10 months ago

    Tilke is trying to create tracks where cars can overtake so he is rather limited on what he can do. You can't overtake at fast tracks like Silverstone. Generally his tracks do very well in the overtaking charts at the end of the season, better than the classic tracks we all love dearly.

    All the precautions are taken with the new tracks whereas they certainly weren't when tracks like Silverstone and Spa were built. Designers aren't allowed to design a Spa or Silverstone anymore.

    The other problem against Tilke is that most of his new tracks have been built where F1 is not that popular so thats why these new races lack atmosphere. Turkey is a great track but it's hardly used all season which is why it's so dirty offline and hard to overtake, also the lack of F1 interest isn't his fault.

    If he had built the Turkey circuit in France or Britain it would be a much more loved race track.

    I agree with maybe someone else should have a go at designing a track but I don't think Tilke's tracks have been that bad.

    I actually have an article planned about new track Vs classic tracks where I will be doing comparisons in different criterias. So we will see which is better.

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  8. Paul 10 months ago

    What's the bet that Tilke has a silent partner, one Bernie E!

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  9. Ted Voulgaris 10 months ago

    Is Tlke ruining motor racing tracks? Undoubtedly he has done some significant harm to some tracks, Hockeheim being the worst of the worst. But we shouldn't be too quick to fault Tilke overall.

    Overtaking should not be a function of the track, but of the cars. The problem is Aerodynamics. This aspect of racing has taken over the sport to it's detriment. The addition of wings was unfortunate and it has led to a long line of innovations. The incredible down force being created by F1 cars permits them to go too deeply into corners shortening the braking distance in slower corners so much that there is little chance to pass. In the fast sweepers little or often no braking is required and thus passing becomes impossible when all cars are on the limit and have to take more or less the same line through. Add to that the fact that faster cars cannot too closley approach a slower car in front because grip will be lost in dirty air as the cars turn in, giving the leading, and slower car, the advantage. That leaves the best opportunity to pass by making a faster exit from a corner that leads onto a long straight where the extra speed can be used, hopefully, to pass the car in front. It works well between, say Ferrari or McClaren and Force India and others of that ilk, but the leading cars are so closely matched that only seldom does it work. So now we are left with what has become the major way to pass--wait for the pit stop and hope for the best. Sad.

    The sport needs to return to mechanical grip as it's main development interest. Until that happens overtaking with be very difficult no matter the track layout. Aero development has been so great that it has ruined racing as it once was, taking much of the excitement out--after all wheel to wheel racing is where the great challenge is for the drivers (who love it) and most of the excitement for the spectators who also love it. Cars should be cars, not inverted aircraft.

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  10. Anne Doe 10 months ago

    Is there any way that Tilke can be banned from designing tracks? The highlight of his career is Turkey turn 8.

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  11. Ben Auty 10 months ago

    Woooo ... Go on mate, nice one ... I like it !

    Some interesting views ... ALTHOUGH ... I am on the fence on this one, I dont dislike any of the circuits mentioned ... So while I am not disagreeing I am not particularly agreeing !

    GREAT article though mate !

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  12. Jamie Arnold 10 months ago

    I agree 100% with Ted, its the aerodynamics not Tilke that is harming the sport, like I say in the article I've just written, this year is good but next year is going to be awesome! Unfortunately at a few tracks this season I have found the Qualifying more exiting than the race...

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    • Michael Griffin 10 months ago

      Aerodynamics are part of it, but still, this aeor package works fine at a place like Monaco where we often see overtaking now. Tilke is the main reason, and yes, next year will be truly insane, can't wait for slicks to come back.

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  13. Aron Dell 10 months ago

    What i heard is that hockenheim was redesigned because they wanted more sponsorship to be shown, Don't know if its really true.

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  14. barry halbritter 9 months ago

    I see alot of criticisum for a man who has driver saftey at forefront of design. If the fans want spectacular crashes for usafe passing or balls to the wall, than you might just want to ask boxers to stand still and trade punches till one falls!! He has stayed with in FIA rules which dictates influence on his masterful designs. It is sad to see these remarks directed at a icon designer who deserves proper earned respect for creation of the saftey first atitude in designs. We welcome any one of you to throw the first sone and do better!!!!!! At least he can drive better than most his age on the worlds longest and most dangerous track. My hat is off to him for his great works. I am not offended by your opinions since they give spice to life. Barry Halbritter from Upstate New York USA

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  15. g q 8 months ago

    i think youve hit the nail on the head, his tracks are boring, tedious ,bland, austere, and all terrifyingly similar. And another thing, will he cut it out with the tarmac runoff... also, where are the fast sweepers, narrow bits of track and GRADIENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Tracks can have corners over 4mph and still be safe u no!

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  1. Kyle Benjamin 8 months ago

    Herman tilke has destroyed formula one racing for good. Who the hell keeps letting him design and destroy race tracks. Im only 15 and I never got to see the old hockenheim live. I had seen the old track map but when I saw the videos I asked myself "WHY". He destroyed the final turn at spa, the first turn at the nurburgring, design a bunch of crap at indy, made the first chicane at monza even worst, and continues to design boring tracks. The man dosent know how to build a racetrack. There is a reason why people love monza,suzuka,monaco,silverstone, and spa. Becuase he didnt design them.
    With more of his tracks coming, things are not looking good for F1.

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