2008 German Grand Prix: predictions
If one of F1’s top four drivers in the championship wins the German Grand Prix they’re likely to become the new leader in the title race.
Will Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen or Robert Kubica take the win? Could Heikki Kovalainen or Nick Heidfeld claim their first victories and become the 100th different Grand Prix driver to do it?
Or will we get a surprise winner from elsewhere in the field? Read my predictions and make yours below.
On paper, the Hockenheimring should be a Ferrari circuit. It’s prime Hermann Tilke territory – a smooth surface with a medium to high downforce configuration.
Ferrari has excelled in recent years by building cars that work best on tracks like this, F1’s average circuit, with a lot of medium-speed corners and maybe one decent length of straight.
McLaren had a promising test session here last week but has chosen to discard one of its potential new modifications – an extended rear engine cover, as first seen on the Red Bull RB4. (Curiously, Toyota ran a similar part for the first time at the test and drew the same conclusion).
Kovalainen seemed especially comfortable with the new developments on the car at Silverstone – as long as the weather remained dry at least. Neither he nor Hamilton have raced here in F1, although that’s not likely to cause them too many problems, especially as both have extensive experience of the track from junior formulae.
Nevertheless in dry conditions I would bet on a Ferrari one-two with perhaps only Hamilton’s McLaren likely to spoil their party.
But we’ve had some unpredictable weather recently and at the time of writing Germany looks set for more of the same (see the weather thread on the forum for more). If it rains again, put your money on Hamilton and Kubica.
My top three prediction:
1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Felipe Massa
The eagle-eyed among you will notice it was also my prediction for the last race, and it was totally wrong…
Last time no-one predicted Heidfeld in second or Barrichello in third but the following correctly place Hamilton in first: Toby, Mick, F1freak, Matt, John, Andrew, Becken, Wesley, Trig and Frank B. What are your predictions for this weekend?
Join us for Live Blogging during the German Grand Prix Saturday practice, qualifying and the race:
cyanide said on 18th July 2008, 7:29
1] Felipe Massa
2] Kimi Raikkonen
3] Robert Kubica
Rethw said on 18th July 2008, 7:48
1) Felipe Massa
2) Kimi Raikkonen
3) Lewis Hamilton
Warren said on 18th July 2008, 8:18
1}Lewis Hamilton
2}Kimi Raikonnen
3}Felipe Massa
airman said on 18th July 2008, 8:20
1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Nick Heidfeld
3. Lewis Hamilton
diseased rat said on 18th July 2008, 8:34
Strange to see people putting Massa at the top. I suppose you’re hopeful for a dry race then? I think we’ll see the super focused Raikkonen this weekend so I’ll go for this line up.
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Kimi Raikkonen
3. Nick Heidfeld
Bob said on 18th July 2008, 8:36
Given the last two test sessions (Silverstone and Hockenheim) have been positive for McLaren, I’m going to stick my neck out:
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Felipe Massa
3. Heikki Kovalainen
Jack said on 18th July 2008, 8:49
1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Mark Webber
3. Robert Kubica
But only if it rains.
Dan Wells said on 18th July 2008, 9:14
1. Nick Heidfeld
2. Jenson Button
3. Robert Kubica
Sush said on 18th July 2008, 9:25
1. Heidfield
2. Kubica
3. Heikki
Kester said on 18th July 2008, 9:29
1. Kimi
2. Heidfeld
3. Heikki
Lewis DNF
Sebastian said on 18th July 2008, 10:54
1. Hamilton
2. Heidfeld
3. Räikkönen
Heikki battling with Massa for fourth.
… Massa spinning.
Derek said on 18th July 2008, 11:05
1. Hamilton
2. Massa
3. Kubica
Raikkonen DNF
MartyP said on 18th July 2008, 11:22
1) Massa
2) Hamilton
3) Kubica
Salty said on 18th July 2008, 11:41
1. Hamilton
2. Kubica
3. Alonso
Kimi’s Hockenheim curse to continue & Massa to fall off ;)
Mick said on 18th July 2008, 11:55
Got to go with Kimmi this time ’round. I think he’s going all out for the win. The first corner is pivotal though. Once he’s through there, I think he’s good with getting in the quick laps before pitting.
1) Raikkonen
2) Hamilton
3) Kubica
I think Massa will be out to prove something as well, and if it’s dry, he’ll push them hard.