Absent from the calendar in 2015 F1 returns to the Hockenheimring this weekend for the German Grand Prix. Despite missing last year, it has been a staple on the calendar since 1977. The Hockenheimring only took on its current layout after a thorough [Tilke] redesign in 2002. The layout has a little bit of everything and is difficult to classify as either a downforce or power track.
After their performance in Hungary, where Fernando Alonso completed a 7th place sweep of all weekend sessions, McLaren Honda have said that they could be considered 'the best of the rest’, meaning all teams except Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari (but with a chassis as good as the latter according to Eric Boullier). Provided there are no reliability issues we can expect both cars in the points this weekend as the track layout is somewhat favorable and they continue to optimize recent upgrades.
Elsewhere on the grid we expect Mercedes at the top without much of a challenge because if Red Bull couldn’t pip them in Hungary we shouldn’t realistically expect them to in Germany. Ferrari is, however, due for a strong finish and we know the team desperately needs it; if one of the Mercedes runs into trouble we can expect Ferrari to be there. Force India should be right behind these lead teams and maybe Renault will even score a point having found some improved pace.
US TV Schedule
Practice 1, Friday July 29th, 4:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Practice 2, Friday July 29th, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Practice 3, Saturday July 30th, 5:00AM
EST
,
NBC
Sports Live Extra
Qualifying, Saturday July 30th, 8:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race, Sunday July 31st, 7:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Lap Data
Lap length: 4.574km (2.842 miles)
Race laps: 67
Race distance: 306.458km (190.424 miles)
Pole position: Left-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’13.780 (223.182 kph) by Kimi Raikkonen, 2004
Fastest lap: 1’13.306 (224.626 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004
Maximum speed: 313kph (194.489 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Second and third straights
Distance from grid to turn one: 260m
Car performance
Full throttle: 66%
Longest flat-out section: 1240m
Downforce level: Medium
Fuel use per lap: 1.5kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.045s
Strategy
2016 prime tyre: Medium & Soft (2014: Soft)
2016 option tyre: Super soft (2014: Super soft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2014 V6 Turbo Era Results
Distance: 67 laps
Pole position: Nico Rosberg, 1:16.540
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, 1:19.908
Podium
1. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
2. Valtteri Bottas – Williams
3. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
Current Standings
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, 192
2. Nico Rosberg, 186
3. Daniel Ricciardo, 115
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas F1 Team, 378
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 224
3. Red Bull Racing, 223
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