This weekend Formula 1 returns to the Hockenheimring for the German Grand Prix. Despite once being a staple on the calendar beginning in 1977, the venue has recently had an on-again off-again relationship with Formula1 with the last races here being held in 2014 and 2016. 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.
Toro Rosso Honda enter the weekend with some uncertainty as to expectations. With an engine that they still cannot run at full power, a recent aero update which did not correlated to CFD results, and one driver lacking pace, they will hope to put one of the cars in the points but probably are not so sure themselves. Nevertheless, the team will aim for the best possible result.
Elsewhere on the grid, it appears Ferrari has an ever-so-slight advantage over Mercedes; however, Mercedes will be pulling out all stops to dominate at their home grand prix. Red Bull should be in the mix and this could be a race where they split the top two teams. Renault and Haas will be battling for the next positions with the former needing better reliability and the latter needing better luck. The next battle should be a three way fight between Force India, McLaren, and Sauber as they hunt for the last points-paying position. Expect Williams to round out the order.
US TV Schedule
Practice 1 – Friday, July 20 5:00 AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Friday, July 20 9:00 AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, July 21 6:00 AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, July 21 9:00 AM – ESPN2
Race – Sunday, July 22 9:00 AM – ESPN2
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
2018 tyre: Medium, Soft, Ultrasoft (2016 Medium, Soft, Supersoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2016 Results
Distance: 67 laps
Pole position: Nico Rosberg, 1:14.363
Fast race lap: Daniel Ricciardo, 1:18.442
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull
3. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
Current Standings
Drivers
1. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 171
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 163
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 116
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 106
5. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 104
6. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 93
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 42
8. Fernando Alonso, McLaren Renault, 40
9. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 39
10. Carlos Sainz Jr, Renault Sport F1, 28
Constructors
1. Scuderia Ferrari, 287
2. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 267
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 199
4. Renault Sport F1, 70
5. Haas, 51
6. Force India, 49
7. McLaren Renault, 48
8. Toro Rosso, 19
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 16
10. Williams Martini Racing, 4
Reply