Mercedes wants to see the Silver Arrows shine at Hockenheim

After a British Grand Prix with disappointing results for the Brackley team, Mercedes approaches its second home race with the hope of showing their best side, as was the case in China or Monaco: « This year we will celebrate the 111th anniversary of Mercedes Motorsport on the occasion of the German Grand Prix. This number has special significance: Nico’s victory in China came during his 111th Grand Prix, and it was also the 111th Grand Prix victory for Mercedes since 1901. In Hockenheim, our team will work hard to deliver the level of performance similar to what we have seen this year with Nico’s victory in China, his second place in Monaco, and Michael’s podium in Valencia, » thus aspires Norbert Haug, Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

For Ross Brawn, director of the German team, the German Grand Prix is the ideal place to bounce back after the disappointments of Silverstone: “Our performance has been up and down recently, ranging from the podium to the lower end of the Top 10: we need to work on improving our consistency and our ability to fight at the front. The Hockenheim circuit should suit the F1 W03 better than the high-speed corners of the Silverstone circuit, and we will bring some developments to the car that should improve our performance.” Nico Rosberg shares the Briton’s opinion: “I think our car should perform better on this circuit than at Silverstone. Hockenheim has long straights, which should be good for the Silver Arrow.”

Norbert Haug also insists that the Hockenheim circuit presents a different challenge from Silverstone but also points out that for the first time drivers will be racing there with DRS, which could also turn to the advantage of the F1 W03 thanks to its ingenious DRS-Duct system: The circuit has only two high-speed corners and the rest is negotiated at medium speed. Good braking stability and excellent traction are required in the Spitzkehre, on the opposite side of the circuit, which then leads to the spectacular section in front of the Mercedes Tribune. Since its introduction last year, DRS will be used for the first time on this circuit and can be activated for more than half the lap in qualifying. Furthermore, it will certainly increase the number of overtakes in the race, which will be good for the fans and will help make the race even more exciting.

For the drivers, both Germans, naturally, this German Grand Prix will have a very special flavor, especially because it takes place in Hockenheim: « Hockenheim is always very special for us and particularly for me, » says Nico Rosberg. « I was born in Wiesbaden, near Hockenheim, and I really have good memories of my previous races there. Before my Formula One career, I often won on this track and I will never forget my father’s last DTM race in 1995. I joined him on the roof of the car driving in the Motodrom, and that’s when I thought it was really cool and decided to become a racing driver like him. I will do my best to perform well in front of our fans in the Mercedes grandstand, so hopefully, we can celebrate a good result together. »

For Michael Schumacher, a four-time winner at Hockenheim in 1995, 2002, 2004, and 2006, racing in front of his home crowd is a source of motivation: People often ask me if there is any sort of advantage to racing at home in a sport like ours, and my response would be that there may not be an advantage, but there is certainly a special feeling. As a German driver, naturally there’s a certain excitement when you arrive at the German Grand Prix and know that all the spectators in the stands are supporting you. This year is the first where our team has been able to fight at the front, and because of that, we hope for a lot of support from our fans and to be able to reward them with our performance. […] We have set ourselves a clear goal to give everyone a reason to celebrate next weekend.

The star brand also intends to spoil its fans for the occasion: This is our second consecutive home Grand Prix as the Daimler headquarters and Mercedes HQ are located in Stuttgart, nearly a hundred kilometers from Hockenheim. The Mercedes Tribune, which offers the best views of some of the most interesting parts of the circuit, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and will once again offer numerous special attractions. One of the highlights will be the opportunity for all visitors to Hockenheim to test the brand-new A-Class, reveals Norbert Haug.