The Nordschleife was a kind of love-hate relationship for one of the greatest legends of our sport. Niki Lauda was responsible for ensuring that there were no more F1 races on the Nordschleife from 1977 onwards, but this track was a particularly good place for him to showcase his skills. He was already the man to beat at the Ring in 1974, but it was only the following year that he managed to break the 7 minute barrier: with 6:58.6 he achieved the fastest lap ever for an F1 car.