Overview

• Opened on August 20, 2000, the venue launched with hopes of hosting Formula 1 and creating 1,000 to 2,000 jobs, targets that were never reached.
• Early setbacks included Michele Alboreto’s fatal 2001 testing accident and Alex Zanardi’s career-ending crash, followed by operator insolvency in 2002.
• Dekra bought the site in November 2017 and now runs what it describes as Europe’s leading independent test center for future mobility on more than 500 hectares.
• Roughly 300 people work at the facility today, and Brandenburg officials hail its contribution to regional transition after about €123 million in public funding built the track.
• Motorsport remains part of the mix, with national series such as the DTM continuing to race at the venue.