Sports

F1 German GP: practice, qualifying, race start time, predictions, TV guide, betting odds


2019 Formula 1 German Grand Prix

  • What: race No.11 on the F1 2019 calendar  
  • When: 26-28 July 
  • Where: Hockenheimring, Hockenheim 
  • Race start time: 2.10pm on Sunday 28 July   
  • UK TV coverage: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4 

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel heads to this weekend’s Formula 1 German Grand Prix looking to settle some scores in his home race.

While leading last year’s race at the Hockenheimring, the German driver crashed out on lap 52 and had to watch on as title rival Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag for Mercedes. 

The 32-year-old is now eager to make amends for the disappointment of crashing out in front of his home fans.

Vettel said: “We have got to make up for last year, especially myself and I look forward to racing in Hockenheim. The atmosphere is always phenomenal and the crowd is great. I remember a lot of German flags around the track from last year, which I really enjoyed.” 

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is also keen for the team to perform this weekend. He said: “For us, the German Grand Prix is first and foremost Sebastian’s home race.

“Therefore we really hope to do well at Hockenheim, especially after last year’s race here, when the win escaped us at the end of a weekend where our performance was definitely up to the task.”

Sebastian Vettel climbs from his Ferrari after crashing out of the 2018 F1 German Grand Prix

Huge weekend for Mercedes

Like Vettel, it’s also Mercedes’s home grand prix. The German brand is the title sponsor of the race at Hockenheim and the team is also celebrating its 200th start in Formula 1. 

With Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas leading the way in the 2019 drivers’ standings Mercedes principal Toto Wolff is looking for the team to continue its superb run of form. 

So far this season the Mercedes drivers have won nine of the ten grands prix and achieved a one-two finish on seven occasions. 

Wolff said: “While there is much happening off track, our primary focus remains our on-track performance. The weather forecast predicts high temperatures, which were extremely challenging for us in Austria, so we must stay vigilant. 

“Like Spielberg, Hockenheim is also a relatively short circuit, which will close the gaps between different teams. We will stay humble and work hard to achieve the best possible result.”

What the drivers and teams are saying 

Nico Hülkenberg, Renault’s German driver 

“It’s very special racing in your home country. It’s always motivating to do well in front of your home fans as you know they are cheering for you and wanting you to have a strong result. We had a really good race in Germany last year, so we’ll be targeting the same again this season, not only for the fans, but also for the team as well.”

Daniel Ricciardo, Renault

“Hockenheim is a fun circuit and I’ve always loved racing there throughout my career. Turn one is super-fast and there are some cool corner combinations to dig into especially in sector three in the stadium. There are some good overtaking spots too especially at the hairpin after the burst of full throttle. It’s a cool track and one I’ve always seemed to go well at.”

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 

“I am looking forward to Hockenheim. Over the past few weekends, we have made some progress in qualifying. Now we have to focus on the race pace because that’s where we seem to be struggling the most at the moment.” 

Robert Kubica, Williams

“It’s been a long time since I have driven at Hockenheim. It is a challenging track with a mixture of low and high-speed corners. I am looking forward to driving there and to test new items on the car. We hope to gain some pace and if the car handles well like it did at Silverstone, then we will have some fun.” 

George Russell, Williams

“I am looking forward to going back to Germany, it’s a circuit I enjoy driving at and I haven’t raced there for three years. I have special memories there as it was the first time I had a meeting with the team about my 2019 seat. We have some test items that are coming to the track which should hopefully give us a good indication of the direction we need to head in for the remainder of the year.”

Lance Stroll, Racing Point

“We’ve had a tough few races recently and our share of bad luck, but the mood in the team is still upbeat. There’s new stuff coming to the car this weekend so there’s going to be a lot of learning during the practice sessions. This team is very good at developing a car across a season and I’m optimistic we can make some progress this weekend.”

Sergio Perez, Racing Point

“We usually see good racing at Hockenheim. There are a few places where you can overtake – such as the hairpin – and I enjoy driving there. It’s probably one of the best circuits for overtaking and the newest parts of the lap are really wide. You sometimes see cars going three or four wide on the approach to turn six and with such a big run-off area it’s often worth taking a risk to overtake.”

Formula 1 German Grand Prix Hockenheimring Hockenheim

2019 F1 German GP race guide 

  • Circuit name: Hockenheimring
  • First grand prix: 1970  
  • Number of laps: 67 
  • Circuit length: 4.574km   
  • Race distance: 306.458km  
  • Lap record: 1:13.780 by Kimi Räikkönen in 2004
Previous winners
  • 2018 podium: 1st Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes); 2nd Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes); 3rd Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 
  • 2017: no race 
  • 2016: Hamilton (Mercedes), Ricciardo, Verstappen  
  • 2015: no race 
  • 2014: Rosberg (Mercedes), Bottas, Hamilton  
  • 2013: Vettel (Red Bull), Raikkonen, Grosjean  
  • 2012: Alonso (Ferrari), Button, Raikkonen  
  • 2011: Hamilton (McLaren), Alonso, Webber

Practice, qualifying and race times

When are the practice sessions? 

There are three full practice (FP) sessions in Germany. On Friday 26 July FP1 takes place from 10am to 11.30am and FP2 is from 2pm to 3.30pm. FP3 will be at 11am to 12pm on Saturday 27 July. All times UK.

When is qualifying? 

Qualifying for the F1 German GP starts at 2pm on Saturday 27 July. 

What time does the race start? 

The 2019 F1 German Grand Prix starts at 2.10pm on Sunday 28 July.

F1 2019 calendar Hockenheim German GP

German GP predictions 

F1-Predictor.com: Lewis Hamilton

“As expected, the favourite is again Hamilton followed by Bottas. Vettel will be willing to take the revenge in his home country but it will be too difficult to challenge for a race win. Expect Max [Verstappen] to give another stunning performance and possibly take a place on the podium.”

GamblingSites.net: Lewis Hamilton 

“I like Vettel’s numbers and I am tempted to place my money on him. However, I can’t just discount what Hamilton has achieved this season and weighing both, I think it’s still what counts more. Between what Hamilton has done and what Vettel can do, I will go with the former.”

German GP betting odds

Prices according to Oddschecker, as of 23 July. 

German GP race winner odds
  • Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): 4/6 
  • Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes): 5/2  
  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 10/1  
  • Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 10/1  
  • Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari): 11/1  
  • Pierre Gasly (Red Bull): 150/1 

German GP TV guide 

Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Germany. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race.

Watch F1 on Now TV

Formula 1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports Day Pass via Now TV for just £8.99, the most economical way of watching each race.

Sky Sports coverage of the German GP 
Thursday 25 July
  • 2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference  
  • 5pm: Welcome To The Weekend 
Friday 26 July 
  • 9.45am: practice one build-up  
  • 10am: practice one live  
  • 1.45pm: practice two build-up  
  • 2pm: practice two live 
  • 4pm: German GP: The Story So Far 
Saturday 27 July 
  • 10.45am: practice three build-up  
  • 11am: practice three live  
  • 1pm: qualifying build-up  
  • 2pm: qualifying live  
  • 4.30pm: The F1 Show 
Sunday 28 July
  • 12.30pm: Pit Lane live  
  • 1.30pm: On The Grid 
  • 2.10pm: F1 German Grand Prix live  
  • 4pm: Paddock live  
  • 5pm: German GP: The Notebook  
  • 5.30pm: German GP highlights  
  • 6.30pm: race replay 
Channel 4 coverage of the German GP
  • Saturday 27 July: qualifying highlights at 6.30pm  
  • Sunday 28 July: German GP race highlights at 7pm

Circuit image: Formula1.com 



READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.