100 Years Ago, the Nürburgring’s Green Hell Was Born

The most dangerous and demanding circuit in the world, the Nürburgring has transformed over a century into the ultimate judge of production cars.

Construction of the Nürburgring began on September 27, 1925, in the heart of the German Eifel. Originally envisioned to stimulate the local economy and provide a testing ground for national manufacturers, the track quickly earned a reputation like no other. With its 20.8 kilometers and over 170 turns, the “Nordschleife” has become the most feared racing circuit in the world. Jackie Stewart nicknamed it the “Green Hell,” a name that has remained famous.

For decades, the track hosted prestigious competitions, including Formula 1. But the dangerous nature of the course was such that major championships gradually abandoned it. The accident involving Niki Lauda in 1976, during the German Grand Prix, marked a turning point: F1 never returned to the Nordschleife, deemed too perilous despite its legendary status.

The circuit with two faces

Yet, far from disappearing, the circuit found a second life. Today, it has become an absolute reference for the global automotive industry. Every manufacturer, whether a mainstream brand or a supercar specialist, tests its models on this unique stretch of asphalt. Testing a car at the Nürburgring means subjecting it to all constraints: high-speed corners, compressions, violent braking, and sudden changes in elevation. Nothing escapes the verdict of the Nordschleife.

Even better, setting a reference time has become a true goal. A sports sedan, an SUV, or a hypercar that records a lap time on the Green Hell immediately gains prestige. More than a marketing argument, it’s a universal recognition: at the Nürburgring, only pure performance counts.

In nearly a century, the track has undergone a spectacular transformation: from a deadly arena for legendary drivers to the ultimate judge of production cars. Each record written here adds a new chapter to automotive history. And on this demanding natural stage, glory is measured in seconds, far more than in trophies.

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