Presentation – German GP: Will Ferrari Beat Mercedes on Their Home Turf?

Hockenheim is a fun circuit where I’ve always enjoyed going. My best memory is probably the battle I had here with Alonso in 2014, which I loved. Turn 1 is super fast, and the track is conducive to overtaking. The stadium section is also fast with a big left turn where you have to be brave. Even around, it’s a good track where I’ve always driven well and always appreciated. The German crowd is great, the German beer is good, and of course, I’m always looking forward to more Schnitzel.

Here is the description of the place offered to us by Daniel Ricciardo, always enthusiastic when it comes to discussing various championship circuits. It is true that the Hockenheim circuit is rather a track designed for speed. The first corner of the circuit is taken flat out before a quick sequence leading to a long, curved straight.

It is from the second sector that overtaking opportunities arise, particularly at the hairpin at turn six. The rest of the circuit is a bit more winding with the famous stadium section that allows for multiple lines thanks to its banking (elevation of the track). It will be interesting to see what the FIA’s tolerance will be regarding track limits, on a circuit where, like at Silverstone, there are many asphalt run-offs.

In any case, this home race for Mercedes might be the opportunity for the star brand to make up for a British Grand Prix that should not have eluded them. However, the opportunity could be great for Ferrari to secure a second consecutive victory on the home soil of the reigning world champion team and to sow doubt in the minds of Mercedes’ drivers and management.

A tour of the property

We’re skipping compounds for the #F1 Grand Prix that skips years!
Welcome back #GermanGP, time to see how things have changed: https://t.co/epOzpuniR5 pic.twitter.com/6biwhTe6v3

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 16 juillet 2018

As in the previous two races, a third DRS zone has been added to the circuit. This new zone is located on the start-finish line. The detection point controlling the DRS zones on the start line and between turn 1 and 2 is located between turn 16 and 17, with an activation point at the exit of turn 17 for the first zone and a second at the exit of the first turn for the second. Finally, the third zone where DRS will be available is on the curved straight between turns 4 and 5, with an activation point situated a few meters after a detection point placed at the exit of turn 4.

For posterity

Originally, the first version of the Hockenheim circuit dating back to 1939 served as a testing track for Mercedes-Benz. The initial layout was eight kilometers long and consisted of two long curved straights connected by two long turns at each end. After several years of difficulties mainly due to World War II and its aftermath, and while the Nurburgring circuit was favored for hosting the German Grand Prix, Hockenheim was renovated thanks to financial compensation paid by the German government as compensation for the construction of a highway through the circuit.

The new circuit traverses the adjacent forest, passing through the famous Stadium section to accommodate large grandstands. But it was especially from 1977 that Formula 1 returned to the circuit located in the southwest of Germany, not far from the French border. This recognition came after the terrible accident suffered by Niki Lauda at the Nurburgring the previous year. Although less dangerous than the green hell track, it didn’t prevent Patrick Depailler from losing his life there during tests organized on the track in 1980. It was then that a chicane was installed to break the speed in the long Ostkurve straight.

The current version of the circuit dates back to 2002, when the section passing through the forest was removed and the layout was deeply modified. This had, in fact, caused great protests from fans before being accepted by most of them. The successes of local heroes Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Nico Rosberg made this Grand Prix popular, although attendance has significantly decreased in recent editions. An alternation with the Nurburgring circuit took place in recent years before being discontinued recently.

The most recent edition during the 2016 season saw Nico Rosberg claim pole position in front of his home crowd but fail to convert it into a race victory due to a poor start. The podium was completed by the two Red Bull drivers, who even then were Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. This race turned out to be rather dull.

Tarmac and mistral

More #Fit4F1 purple on the way! #GermanGP ???????? https://t.co/TAfkYiR0Hc pic.twitter.com/HyccYl8IRG

— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 10 juillet 2018

For the return of the German Grand Prix after a year’s absence, Pirelli has chosen to bring its medium, soft, and ultra-soft tires to Hockenheim. It is noteworthy that the manufacturer has skipped a tire range to provide numerous strategic solutions to the teams, as has been done several times this season. As usual, the hardest range was scarcely favored by the drivers, who preferred to opt for a large allocation of ultra-soft tires, with up to 10 sets for the Renault drivers.

Regarding the weather conditions over the German circuit, Friday will be the hottest day of the weekend with 32 degrees on the thermometer accompanied by a slight cloud cover. For Saturday, the third free practice session should be spared from showers (28 degrees), but there is a high probability of rain during the qualifying session. Finally, the race is expected to take place under dry conditions with a temperature of 28 degrees and some passing clouds.

The TV program!