For years Michael Schumacher fans flocked to Hockenheim and the Nurburgring to support their idol. Now the German fans have a new hero to follow, in the shape of Red Bull's mercurial youngster Sebastian Vettel. In front of his countrymen Vettel will be more determined than ever to take the fight to Formula 1 World Championship leader Jenson Button.
German Grand Prix History
The German Grand Prix was a round of the first ever Formula 1 World Championship in 1950. At that time the race was held on the daunting Nurburgring Nordschleife, which wound its way for more than 14 miles through the Eifel region of northern Germany. The 2009 German Grand Prix takes place on a modern incarnation of the track, which lies adjacent to the old one.
The 1957 race at the old Nurburgring produced perhaps the greatest fight back in Formula 1 history, when Juan-Manuel Fangio relentlessly pursued the Ferrari pair of Mike Hawthorn and Peter Collins. After continually lowering the lap record Fangio caught and passed his prey to score a remarkable victory.
Jackie Stewart was the man to watch in 1968. In torrential rain and blinding spray the Scotsman won in his Matra by over four minutes. The old track's swansong came in 1976. Niki Lauda's Ferrari speared off the circuit and erupted in a fireball. Lauda's fellow drivers stopped and rescued the Austrian but he was terribly burned. Despite receiving the last rites Lauda eventually recovered and went on to win the Formula 1 title twice more.
Hockenheim became the permanent home of the German Grand Prix. It fast forest section was unique in Formula 1, although it has since been reclaimed by nature to make way for a more concise layout. The German Grand Prix will now alternate between Hockenheim and the Nurburgring.
2009 German GP Statistics and Weather Forecast
Race date: Sunday, July 12th
Race distance: 60 laps
Circuit length: 3.199 miles (5.148 km)
Nurburgring Lap record: 1 minute, 29.468 seconds (Michael Schumacher, 2004 - Ferrari)
2009 German GP weather forecast: rain showers on Saturday, rain on Sunday
2009 German GP Form Guide
Before the last Formula 1 race at Silverstone Brawn GP would have been clear favourites to take victory at the Nurburgring. That was until Red Bull appeared with several updated parts and proceeded to dominate the British Grand Prix. Local hero Vettel will undoubtedly attract very short odds, while his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber should also be in a position to challenge for victory.
It is well known that the Brawns do not like cold temperatures, and the Eifel region can be highly unpredictable. Rain would not be a surprise, which could suit several drivers including 2008 German Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton and Renault's Fernando Alonso.
Germany holds happy memories for Nelson Piquet, who has been struggling all year in his Renault. In 2008 the Brazilian scored the first podium of his Formula 1 career at Hockenheim. Ferrari disappointed in qualifying at Silverstone but showed good race pace and could challenge for a podium. Toyota will also be expecting points, along with Williams.
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