Germany: PrixView

By Red Bull Racing
July 24 2006

This is the fifty fourth German Grand Prix and the event is considered one of the classics on the calendar. This year’s event will be the thirtieth to be staged at the Hockenheimring. It became the race’s permanent home after the “old” Nurburgring was deemed too dangerous in 1976.

The weekend is our second visit of the year to Germany, after the European GP, a fact that underlines the importance of the sport here, with no less than four drivers having German passports and two major German car constructors on the grid. Last year, David Coulthard finished in the points in seventh place for Red Bull Racing. 
 
David Coulthard did not say that this is usually one of the coldest races of the year on the F1 calendar and getting the tyres to warm up to the correct temperature for a flying lap can be ricky. Spectators here come from the cream of German society and always dress very smartly. Even Niki Lauda makes a special effort, ensuring the fly buttons on his jeans are done up for this race. If you are coming to the circuit from the autobahn, follow the signs for Ausfahrt, the nearest city to the track. Ausfahrt is a very big city, so make sure you get the right exit. 
 
Christian Klien did not say that everyone should remember to bring their own beer, as this drink is not at all popular in the local region. As it is their home race, Mercedes and BMW personnel like to share the same pit garages and often go out for dinner together over the weekend as they are such good friends. One of these two teams usually wins the German Grand Prix. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely that Boris Becker will attend this event, although Jurgen Klinsman is due to make the trip from Los Angeles. The paddock is beautiful, with its tree-lined avenue and pots of exotic plants everywhere. 
 
Tonio Liuzzi would never say that Michael Schumacher finds this a very relaxing weekend, as all the media attention is focussed on Ralf, “Big” Nick Heidfeld and “Very German,” Nico Rosberg. “Polizei” is the German for “Boy Racer” so if you see them in their sporty blue and white cars, hoot your horn and then try and race them down the Autobahn. Most people in F1 support the view that there should be three grands prix in Germany every year and the latest news is that the unpopular venues of Monaco or Melbourne might make way for a late October race in Avus.
 
Scott Speed does not really think that Germany is the pizza capital of Europe, nor did he comment that he loves the sound of air horns in the grandstands waking him up in the morning. The man in the back of the grandstand who beats a huge bass drum all day long is actually the chief percussionist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The Green Party loves motor racing and even has its own grandstand….in the old part of the Hockenheimring. Don’t worry, this isn’t a real preview, it’s just a Wurst Case Scenario.