German Grand Prix Preview

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor

The German Grand Prix at the Hockenheimring marks the homecoming race for championship leader Sebastian Vettel who grew up nearby the circuit, and defending German Grand Prix winners Mercedes. It also marks the true halfway point of the season which has seen Ferrari and Vettel eek out just a bit of a points gap on Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton after a wild British Grand Prix.

The race takes place at the Hockenheimring, one of the oldest and most historic venues on the Formula One calendar, Hockenheim first opened in 1932 and has long been a mainstay on the F1 calendar, though in recent years it has alternated hosting the race with the neighboring Nurburgring.

Vettel, who just celebrated his 31st birthday has won the German Grand Prix before, back in his final season with Red Bull, but he has yet to win at Hockenheim which has seen Mercedes dominate the last two times the circuit hosted the Grand Prix in 2014 and 2016. With many in the paddock thinking Ferrari has finally matched Mercedes on engine power and pure pace, it will be a fascinating duel between the top two teams, but if either of them slip up expect Red Bull to be ready to pick up the pieces like they have so many times this season already.

Temperatures in Germany are hot heading into this weekend as no one can escape from the global heat wave, but rain is expected to come in and may effect both qualifying and the race. A pressure charged homecoming for Vettel, the threat of rain and a hungry Hamilton ready to avenge his British Grand Prix disappointment could add up for another incredible Grand Prix. Tune in with all the need to know info below, and enjoy.

By the Numbers

What: The German Grand Prix

Where: The Hockenheimring, in Hockenheim, Germany just south of Frankfurt and Sebastian Vettel’s hometown of Heppenheim. The circuit opened in 1932 and has been a major hub for German and international racing ever since. The circuit originally had very long straights, where cars reached speeds similar to Monza, but it was redesigned to its current 2.842 mile length in 2002.

When: Sunday, July 22nd 2018

TV: ESPN from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Central Time. Qualifying is Saturday, July 21st at 8:00 AM on ESPN News

Track Length: 2.842 miles

Lap Record: 1:13.780 Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren-Mercedes MP4-19B at the 2004 German Grand Prix

2016 Race Winner: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W07.