Sainz excited for "old-school" Hockenheimring

Carlos Sainz Jr. expresses his excitement about the return of the Hockenheimring to the sport, after a one-year absence.

Renault driver Sainz has told everyone about his excitement of racing in Germany again, following the Hockenheimring's one-year absence from Formula One.

Sainz says he is "happy to be back racing in Germany" ahead of next weekend's German Grand Prix.

The Renault driver had his success in Germany on his way to F1.

Renault are also expected to have new and fresh upgrades for the race next weekend which adds to the driver's excitement.

"I'm happy to be back racing in Germany," Sainz told TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk.

"I'm especially looking forward to it as we have a few updates there - including a new front wing - to help us get back on the pace we showed at the beginning of the year.

"Hockenheim is a track I've won at in the past, so it's one I'm looking ahead to. It's Nico (Hulkenberg)'s home race too, so that will be special for him - like for me in Spain - and that will help us both push hard on track all weekend."

The Hockenheimring is a very popular track in F1 and Sainz has told fans to keep an eye on Turn 1 and 12 to see the new cars in peak condition.

"It's certainly a circuit I enjoy, even though I only have one F1 race to my name there," the Spanish driver added.

"I've had pole positions and race wins at Hockenheim in the junior categories.

"It's quite an old-school circuit, which I like. There's a couple of long straights and fast-sweeping corners. It will be the first time we've driven Hockenheim with the wider, higher downforce Formula 1 cars, so a lot of the corners will be faster than they once were.

"Turns 1 and 12 will be especially fast, so that'll be something to keep an eye on in Friday's early running."