Germany – Free Practice 1: Ricciardo and Red Bull Surprise Everyone!

Formula 1 returns to Germany after a year of absence, on the legendary Hockenheim track! Even though the circuit no longer resembles its configuration from the 90s, some sections, like the Stadium at the end of the lap, remain great moments for the drivers.

As worthy representatives of their nation, Nico Hülkenberg and Sebastian Vettel will be eager to fight at the wheel of their respective Renault and Ferrari to bring back the best possible result to a crowd that has come out in large numbers. Indeed, the weekend is expected to be sold-out in German territory and today, the good weather should not encourage spectators to stay at home.

The air temperature is around 26 degrees while the track is already heated to a blistering 38 degrees before the cars leave their garage. As a reminder, Pirelli has provided Medium, Soft, and Ultrasoft tires this weekend… the Medium compound, the hardest of the three, hasn’t been very popular with the drivers and therefore isn’t expected to be used much.

As is often customary during a national Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel sported a new helmet design, quite sober and elegant.

Sebastian Vettel’s German GP helmet “FOKUS”.

Concept & Design by German artist Christoph Niemann.#Arai #GermanGP #Seb5 #Vettel pic.twitter.com/MBL1Zb7YFV

— Jens Munser Designs (@JMD_helmets) 20 juillet 2018

Daniel Ricciardo is the first to launch his Red Bull on the track, followed by the Sauber of Antonio Giovinazzi, who is replacing Marcus Ericsson for this first free practice session. The Italian had not participated in a Formula 1 weekend since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year. At Force India, it is Esteban Ocon who has given up his seat to Nicholas Latifi for this morning.

It might go very quickly this weekend, Max Verstappen sets the fastest time of the session with a 1:16.526. The track record is currently held by Kimi Räikkönen, who clocked a 1:13.780 in 2004 with his McLaren.

After 20 minutes of the session, only three drivers had set a time. Verstappen, as well as the two Toro Rosso cars of Pierre Gasly and Brandon Hartley. The track activity was not overwhelming at the start of the weekend, and Team Williams took the opportunity to test a new wing mounted on Lance Stroll’s car.

Quick nose job for Lance Stroll 👃#GermanGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/hndfEbfr0p

— Formula 1 (@F1) 20 juillet 2018

It is necessary to wait until the end of the first half hour to have an initial ranking of the 20 drivers who have finally taken to the track: Verstappen remains the fastest ahead of Kimi Räikkönen in his Ferrari and Valtteri Bottas in the first Mercedes. The Top 10 is completed by Ricciardo, Hamilton, Magnussen, Sainz, Vettel, Grosjean, and Hülkenberg.

An astonishing incident occurs with Giovinazzi’s Sauber as his engine cover flies off at the exit of the pits. The Italian is, of course, immediately called back to his box to immobilize his car.

Giovinazzi’s car develops an allergic reaction to its engine cover 👀#GermanGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/9lrqPgP0ba

— Formula 1 (@F1) 20 juillet 2018

By mid-session, it is already easier to get a first idea of the forces at play. Lewis Hamilton takes the lead with a stunning time of 1:14.181, followed closely by a surprising Daniel Ricciardo, less than 0.3 seconds behind.

The Ferraris of Vettel and Räikkönen, always slightly behind on Fridays, are in 3rd and 6th positions respectively. Behind the three big traditional teams, Sergio Pérez is the best of the rest, placing his Force India in 7th position ahead of the Renaults of Hülkenberg and Sainz, while Magnussen closes out the Top 10 with his Haas.

At the bottom of the standings, we find Toro Rosso, McLaren, Sauber, and Williams, which are within half a second of each other, with a slight advantage for the latter.

We’re halfway there! How things stand with 45 minutes of FP1 remaining ⬇️#GermanGP 🇩🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/2sQ96kBmNT

— Formula 1 (@F1) 20 juillet 2018

The lap times keep dropping and the track record is successively broken by Vettel, Verstappen, and Hamilton, who sets an impressive 1:13.59 on ultra-soft tires, of course!

At the bottom of the standings, the weekends follow and resemble each other for McLaren, which didn’t run much this session. Stoffel Vandoorne is back on track for the last 20 minutes after a complete setup change on his car… the Belgian, 19th, is ahead of his teammate Alonso, who is in last place.

In the heat of action, Ricciardo almost suffers a puncture while driving…over a beer can carelessly dropped by a spectator. Unless it was a can…of Red Bull!

Une canette pour Ricciardo 🙃 pic.twitter.com/aLKPJhzETf

— Monkey Seat (@F1MonkeySeat) 20 juillet 2018

But that doesn’t stop the Australian from taking the best time at 1:13.525 on Ultra Soft tires. The Red Bull cars were not the favorites this weekend on a circuit favoring powerful engines, but it must be noted that the Austrian team seems quite fast. Unfortunately for Ricciardo, he will start from the back of the grid on Sunday as his team confirmed numerous changes to his power unit this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton tries in vain to reclaim his due but fails in his first attempt, just 4 thousandths of a second behind the Australian, while Grosjean and Magnussen give Haas back their place as “best of the rest” by finishing 7th and 8th. Charles Leclerc and Nico Hülkenberg complete the Top 10.