German GP Thread - Sponsored by Green Flag Insurance guarenteed to be there in 60 minutes or less Contains spoilers of Race/Qualifying and Practice

[Fernando]

Just days after an exciting and incident-strewn British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Formula One heads high into the Eiffel for the German GP. The teams will regroup at another of the sport’s ancestral homes with F1 resuming at the Nürburgring for round nine of the 2013 FIA F1 World Championship.

Opened in 1984, the Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit doesn’t present quite the challenge offered by the revered Nürburgring-Nordschleife but over the years it has proved itself to be a stern examination of a Formula One car and its driver. The narrow, flowing circuit demands a compromise in set-up: the twisty, low-speed first sector contrasts the high-speeds reached later in the lap, while the chicanes demand soft suspension to allow drivers to really attack the kerbs.

True form ahead of the race is difficult to predict given that the German Grand Prix comes after a series of atypical circuits and – in the case of Silverstone – an atypical race. That the Nürburgring demands a little bit of everything frequently ensures it is a race that finds out any weaknesses in the technical package. Car performance can be rendered less-relevant, however, by the stormy weather that often afflicts the region – though the forecast is currently predicting a dry German Grand Prix.

After 14 consecutive scoring finishes, Sebastian Vettel’s race-ending gearbox malfunction denied the World Champion a likely 25 points at Silverstone. His failure to score, combined with a gutsy drive to third from Fernando Alonso sees the Drivers’ Championship battle intensify, with Vettel (132), having his lead over Alonso (111) cut to just 21 points. Meanwhile, in the Constructors’ table, Mercedes (171) has moved ahead of Ferrari (168) and is closing on championship leaders Red Bull Racing (219).

Schedule

Friday July 5, 2013
Practice 1 – 09:00
Practice 2 – 1:00

Saturday July 6, 2013
Practice 3 – 10:00
Qualifying – 1:00

Sunday July 7, 2013
Race – 1:00

Facts
The GP Circuit at the Nürburgring has held grands prix under three different names: in 1984, 1995-96, 1999-2007 it hosted the Grand Prix of Europe; in 1985, 2009 and 2011 the German Grand Prix and 1997-98 the Grand Prix of Luxembourg.
Johnny Herbert’s final F1 victory came at the Nürburgring in 1999. It was the first and only win for Stewart Grand Prix. After being sold to Jaguar and then Red Bull Racing it won at the circuit again in 2009. That victory was Mark Webber’s first in F1.
Triple World Champion Sebastian Vettel has a rare blind spot when it comes to his home race. He has yet to win a German Grand Prix. He also has yet to win in Hungary and the United States. At the season start Canada was the only other race on that list, and Vettel won that comfortably in June.
Finishing fifth in the British Grand Prix last week established a new record for Kimi Räikkönen. The Finn has now scored points in 25 consecutive races, beating the 24-race run Michael Schumacher set between the Hungarian Grand Prix of 2001 and the Malaysian Grand Prix of 2003. Räikkönen’s last failure to score was the Chinese Grand Prix of 2012. It is his only failure since coming back into F1. His record, however, has been set in an era where points are awarded down to tenth. Schumacher’s sequence started with points to sixth, and finished with points to eighth.
Ferrari have an impressive German Grand Prix record with a mighty 21 victories, well ahead of nine wins for Williams and eight for McLaren. Perhaps surprisingly, Ferrari’s longest winning sequence was three consecutive races between 1951-53: two for Alberto Ascari followed by a final F1 victory for Nino Farina.
Michael Schumacher, with four, has the most German Grand Prix wins of any driver in the F1 World Championship era. Schumacher’s victory in 1995 was the first for a German national at his home grand prix since Rudolf Caracciola’s final win. Caracciola won the German Grand Prix six times between 1926-1939. Five of Caracciola’s wins came on the Nordschleife. The first, however, was on the AVUS circuit.
In the World Championship era, the race was held at AVUS in 1959. That apart, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (1951-54, 1956-58, 1961-69, 1971-76), Hockenheim (1970, 1977-84, 1986-06, 2008, 2010, 2012) and the Nürburgring GP Circuit (1985, 2009, 2011) are the only circuits to host the Formula One World Championship German Grand Prix. In 1950 and 1960 the German Grand Prix was a Formula 2 race (the latter held on the Nürburgring-Sudschleife circuit), and there was no race in 1955, following the Le Mans disaster. Officially there was no German Grand Prix in 2007. This was the first year of the race being alternated between Hockenheim and the Nürburgring and for legal reasons it retained its former title as the Grand Prix of Europe.

Weather Forecast: http://www.latestmotorsportweather.com/racing-circuits/europe/germany/nurburgring-circuit.html
Source: Race Department.com

[GSC]

Set for some light rain on Friday but dry for the weekend

[GSC]

Few notes. The FIA have moved to force teams to comply with Pirellis operating conditions, including pressures, camber, and most crucially, teams are no longer allowed to swap tyres onto opposing sides.

Despite that, I still expect Ferrari and Lotus to struggle. Trade off for better wear seems to be they struggle to get heat into the tyres at colder circuits.

[GSC]

Fernando Alonso reappears, and so does his problem as he struggles to accelerate round the circuit.

[Bull]

Any tires going off?

[GSC]

No Bull

[Fernando]

Mercedes a long way ahead of the pack in P1

[Guest]

Thing is, the characteristics of this track just arent anywhere near as demanding as Silverstone, therefore blow-outs are unlikely. Be interesting to see what happens in FP2 with high fuel and long runs though. Mercedes dominant in that first session, Alonso had an electrical nightmare.

[GSC]

Aye, pace was never an issue for Mercedes here. Test will be tyre wear with no more switching them over and the softer compound.

[Fernando]

Vettel fastest in P2 from Rosberg/Webber

[GSC]

Andrew Benson ‏@andrewbensonf1 35m
Race sim avgs medium tyre: VET 1:36.380 (10 laps); WEB 36.686 (23 laps); ROS: 37.049 (14). Again, not looking gd for Merc unless fuel-heavy

[GSC]

Hamilton having another whine in FP3, this time oversteer as he's far off the pace of Rosberg and Vettel, the latter extremely quick

[Guest]

I think there's going to be questions asked about the effect of this tyre change on the performance of Red Bull, especially if they go and blow away the field in qualifying. I'm still not sure we've seen the best from Mercedes, as of yet, but if Vettel does gain pole, then I think we're going to need a mechanical issue for him to be troubled in the race.

The tyre change was always going to benefit one car over the other, unfortunately it may be the case it's favoured the three-time world champion.........oh dear.

[Bull]

Nico out! bad call by Merc.

Impressed with Massa could he get pole?

[GSC]

Mercedes ballsed up Rosberg by sitting on his lap and he qualifies 11th

[liverbnz]

Massive d'oh for Mercedes there.

[GSC]

Lotus and Ferrari found some significant pace into the 29s

[Bull]

Why did ferrari go for the mediums? they where right up there

[GSC]

The tyre excuses can be saved for a day as Hamilton grabs pole again.

Vettel and Webber will fancy it from 2nd and 3rd

[GSC]

Ferrari weren't getting to the low 29s.

[Bull]

would of been worth a shot considering Massa's pace.

[GSC]

They weren't quick enough and they knew it. Might as well concentrate on the race than compete with Lotus in quali

[Guest]

Great lap for Lewis. Not sure he's got the best balance or setup for the race but have to wait and see. Still have Vettel as favourite and once again Alonso is playing the long game. Shame for Rosberg, can see him and Di Resta coming through the field though.

[dyrewolfe]

Shame about the mistake with Rosberg...Mercedes could have had another front row lockout. At least he has his choice of tyres to start on - hope he can make up some places quickly tomorrow.

Great job by Hamilton but he is going to have his work cut out holding off the Red Bulls. Needs another perfect start if he's to stay ahead...and for his tyres to stay intact.

Great result for Lotus...not sure they can make too much progress from where they are though, unless the front 3 have problems. Just hope they get their tyre strategy right and that they aren't sitting ducks at the end.

Another great quali for Ricciardo to grab 6th - he seems really keen on getting Webber's seat next season. Don't think he'll stay there though with the Ferraris behind him.

Looks like Ferrari are playing the long game, starting on mediums. They certainly have the race pace to make up places (not to mention blistering starts) and the added tyre endurance could see them take more places in the pit stops.

Think the only real surprise is to see a McLaren in the top 10 for the first time in ages. Will Button have the pace and will the team have the strategy to make gains from 9th?

[GSC]

I think Kimi or Grosjean might fancy a podium with better tyre wear and race pace

[GSC]

Problem for Nico going for a split strategy is Ferrari and McLaren both on primes ahead of him

[GSC]

Webber and Vettel look pretty neck and neck. Could be fun.

Hamilton needs a shave

[GSC]

Really poor first sector from Seb. That'll what's got him looking annoyed I suggest

[Guest]

Probably be all smiles and finger waving by 2.30 tomorrow though

[GSC]

He'll have earned it from Webber

[GSC]

Should be a good race tomorrow.

Going to be even warmer so Kimi well placed to have a go at the RBs.

Vettel and Webber neck and neck.

Better litmus test for Mercedes' tyre wear issues with no more tyre swapping and softer compounds.

Rosberg's Mercedes not placed atop the field for a change.

Ferraris on a split strategy.

Good race in prospect.

[Guest]

I think it would be a good result if Hamilton got a podium. Just don't want a Vettel win. It's about time Kimi really made an impression on this season, apart from Melbourne. Consistency is great, but the race victories are what really make the difference.

[GSC]

Lotus isnt really a car capable of podiums without help though really. Havent really taken any strides forward.

[Guest]

Well losing James Allison didn't help in terms of developing the car through the season and their passive rear-wing has never been effective. The qualifying has handicapped them significantly and hidden their true potential, so we only get glimpses every other race. I think Kimi has become increasingly frustrated at Lotus at their lack of progress and mistakes in pit-strategy have also annoyed Kimi multiple times this season and of course at Silverstone in the last stint.

I know everyone 'assumed' Ricciardo is a shoe-in to replace Webber but I would be amazed if Kimi is not talking to Red Bull and even asking for less demands.

[GSC]

Yeah thats my rationale

Their Newey has gone, and with the team not being able to compete financially with the big teams, it wouldn't surprise me if Kimi wound up at RB. Vettel will be #1 obviously, but Webbers had his fair share of success too, and almost won a title. Kimi and Vettel also have a much better relationship than Vettel and Webber.

I'd also suggest Massa might be his replacement as Ferrari will probably pull the trigger.

[Fernando]

30 mins til race time

Questions for today

1) Can Hamilton get away from Vettel?
2) What role will Kimi play?
3) How many places will Rosberg gain?
4) Are Ferrari being clever or stupid by starting on the medium?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

1. Yes he can. But he won't
2. He'll race
3. 6 places
4. Clever

[harryspiv]

Hamiltons brakes overheating before the race has even started.

[Fernando]

Apparently he's had his fuel pump changed due to a leak aswell so that could be one to watch.

[harryspiv]

Hamilton doesn't seem to have much luck does he

[Bull]

Lets go ferrari!

[AlciG]

Lets go ferrari!

Fillipe, Fernando is faster than you

[Bull]

whats your point?

[harryspiv]

I think red bull deserve a huge penalty for that

[harryspiv]

I think red bull deserve a huge penalty for that

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

How can they not give cameramen etc safety gear?!?!

[harryspiv]

Vettels gearbox to fail?

[SteveG]

Poor race pace today from Merc. And Hamilton also looks to have poor traction out of the corners making the DRS a bit useless - it cost him behind his teamate and now the Sauber.

Back to the drawing board.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Imagine how far behind they would be without that 1000km test  

[bogbrush]

Great drive from Vettel, Raikonnen was all over that.

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