Formula One returns to action this weekend for potentially the last instalment of the German Grand Prix, which forms the first in a back-to-back with Hungary, the final sequence of action before the summer break
Sunday’s German Grand Prix could be Sebastian Vettel’s last chance to win on home soil but Lewis Hamilton will be doing all he can to deny Ferrari’s Formula One championship leader that particular pleasure. Hockenheim is also home for Hamilton’s employers Mercedes and after Seb beat the Briton at Silverstone a week ago, there is plenty of desire to get one back on a rival who grew up in nearby Heppenheim.
Regardless of the expected clash between the title contenders, the weekend will still be special because the race was not on the calendar last year and its future remains uncertain. Hockenheim’s contract expires after this year’s race and, despite the sport’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media saying how keen they are to keep historic venues, the two sides appear at odds. Hockenheim was already alternating with the Nuerburgring before that circuit pulled out for financial reasons and there are no obvious permanent replacements.
Sebastian Vettel, whose only home win to date was with Red Bull at the Nuerburgring in 2013, leads his fellow-four times world champion by eight points, while Ferrari are 20 clear in the constructors’ standings. Hamilton won at Hockenheim in 2016 and will be going for a fourth German GP win to rival Michael Schumacher’s record tally. Red Bull (65 points) have also out-scored Mercedes in the last three races and claimed more fastest laps (five) this season than any other team, despite lacking power on the fast straights. They will fancy their chances in Hungary, if not Hockenheim.
Hamilton (2008, 2013) and Kimi Raikkonen (2005, 2006) have both taken two pole positions at the event, while Sebastian Vettel topped qualifying in 2010, with Fernando Alonso fastest in 2012.
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