Grand Prix 2014 German Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

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The races are now coming thick and fast and the Drivers Championship is warming up nicely after Nico Rosberg's first DNF of the season gave a relatively easy win to Lewis Hamilton. The circus moves on now to Germany, at the emasculated Hockenheim circuit.

Last year Vettel won the first home race of his career. This year I'm sure another German driver, in the shape of Nico Rosberg, will be hoping this will be his turn. After Lewis won his home race maybe Mercedes will have something predetermined (oops, I've just started the first conspiracy theory).

Outside of both Mercedes cars failing it's hard to see any other team winning. Should the Silver Arrows falter Williams are looking best placed to pick something up but I suspect it's more likely to be a podium for either Massa or Bottas. McLaren appeared to find some pace at Silverstone, maybe their technical team have finally realised they have the best engine on the grid and should, perhaps, take advantage of it. Red Bull will also be looking to pick up the crumbs and, as appears to be the pattern, Ricciardo is more likely benefit than Vettel.

The Force India cars were off the pace in Silverstone, perhaps Hockenheim will better suit them. I'm sure the other Nico will want to put on a good show for his home crowd. It will be interesting to see which German midfield runner Fernando Alonso chooses to have a fight with. His preference most races has been Nico Hulkenberg but at Silverstone he decided to have a fight with Sebastian Vettel, which was quite entertaining.

Toro Rosso will be just behind the Ferrari's and Red Bull's, maybe collecting point or two. Of the other teams Lotus will just ahead of Sauber, the biggest question will be who will crash into whom during the race. Marussia and Caterham will fighting to be last, with Caterham almost certain to win that battle.

I forgot to mention Kimi Raikkonen. Hopefully he will be fully recovered for the German race but, on current form, Ferrari might look to stick someone else in the car.

Did I mention I'll be there? Well I will. Look out for a fat bloke with two kids waving like a tit at the camera. Maybe I'll put some Union Jack underpants on my head, that should please the German TV director :-D Bring on the frites and wurst!
 
In Lewis situation given he was going to be in the middle of some hot headed crashers - Maldanado , Gutierrez and Sutil

I think changing the gearbox and any other components is better for him to avoid tripping over one of those idiots at the start

Also he will have new car parts compared to Rosberg for the next race where it could be a car killer
 
Martin Brundle tweets that both Mercedes have changed their brakes. The FIA earlier accepted that changing from Brembo to similar-spec Carbon Industries discs was not a breach of parc ferme rules. Presumably Nico will use the CI pads too.

Could be interesting (in an unpleasant way for the drivers) to see if other teams have brake pad issues.
 
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it will play into Red Bull's hands then if it is the car with the best downforce if wet

If its raining we could see another stormer from Button like in 2000 when he was 4th almost unnoticed
 
Just an FYI for you overtaking guys:

That Bottas/Hamilton should have a star next to it, wasn't really a pass. Hamilton let him by.
 
It's very strange how Hamilton with 3 pits has on finish only 20 seconds after Rosberg with 2 pits.
Mercedes tactics was some ridiculous.
Not really.

Had Hamilton not stopped 3 times, he wouldn't have been able to go as quickly! Had he stopped twice, i would put money on that he would have finished 30-40 seconds behind.....
 
We didn't hear any messages from Rosbergs side of the garage apart from one tyre call. I can safely assume that Rosberg would have been on a lot lower engine setting throughout while Hamiltons would have been set to maximum. That extra engine wear could be crucial later on in the season.
 
Incubus - I can assure you that when a driver is apparently motionless in a crashed F1 car, a bit of team radio is a relief-and-a-half.

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I think you misundestood me and maybe I didn't myself very clear.
I meant to say the message shouldn't have gone on TV. When I wrote "leave him alone!" I I was referring to the telly producers, obviously not the team!
 
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