2008 German Grand Prix: predictions

18 July 2008 by Keith Collantine

Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2008, 470150

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?

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2008 German Grand Prix

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58 responses to 2008 German Grand Prix: predictions

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1 cyanide 18 July 2008 at 7:29 am

1] Felipe Massa
2] Kimi Raikkonen
3] Robert Kubica
2 Rethw 18 July 2008 at 7:48 am

1) Felipe Massa
2) Kimi Raikkonen
3) Lewis Hamilton
3 Warren 18 July 2008 at 8:18 am

1}Lewis Hamilton
2}Kimi Raikonnen
3}Felipe Massa
4 airman 18 July 2008 at 8:20 am

1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Nick Heidfeld
3. Lewis Hamilton
5 diseased rat 18 July 2008 at 8:34 am

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
6 Bob 18 July 2008 at 8:36 am

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
7 Jack 18 July 2008 at 8:49 am

1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Mark Webber
3. Robert Kubica

But only if it rains.
8 Dan Wells 18 July 2008 at 9:14 am

1. Nick Heidfeld
2. Jenson Button
3. Robert Kubica
9 Sush 18 July 2008 at 9:25 am

1. Heidfield
2. Kubica
3. Heikki
10 Kester 18 July 2008 at 9:29 am

1. Kimi
2. Heidfeld
3. Heikki

Lewis DNF
11 Sebastian 18 July 2008 at 10:54 am

1. Hamilton
2. Heidfeld
3. Räikkönen

Heikki battling with Massa for fourth.

… Massa spinning.
12 Derek 18 July 2008 at 11:05 am

1. Hamilton
2. Massa
3. Kubica

Raikkonen DNF
13 MartyP 18 July 2008 at 11:22 am

1) Massa
2) Hamilton
3) Kubica
14 Salty 18 July 2008 at 11:41 am

1. Hamilton
2. Kubica
3. Alonso

Kimi’s Hockenheim curse to continue & Massa to fall off
15 Mick 18 July 2008 at 11:55 am

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.
16 Jean 18 July 2008 at 11:57 am

1. Kimi Raikkonen
2. Lewis Hamilton
3. Felipe Massa
17 Dorian 18 July 2008 at 12:00 pm

1) Raikkonen
2) Hamilton
3) Alonso
18 Nirupam 18 July 2008 at 12:01 pm

My Prediction:
1. Kubica
2. Raikkonen
3. Alonso

It will be a wet race and Massa will spun 6 times (one more than Silverstone! ;)),Mclaren will falter again on safety car strategy costing Lewis the 3rd place finish, Kovi trying to overtake Trulli, will give Neidfield a way to move up to fifth. Webber will finally be able to beat Trulli at the last lap.Great Prediction…what say?
19 f1freak 18 July 2008 at 12:09 pm

it too difficult to say who will win if it rains….
20 Sassan 18 July 2008 at 12:11 pm

1.Hamilton
2.Raikkonan
3.Trulli

Who misses the old Hockenheim?
21 silvermask97 18 July 2008 at 12:22 pm

1.KUBICA
2.NICK HEIDFELD
3.ALONSO
22 Quattro 18 July 2008 at 12:29 pm

In dry conditions:
1-Massa (if he is not spinning)
2-Raikonnen
3-Heidfeld
4-Hamilton

In wet conditions:
1-Raikonnen
2-Hamilton
3-Heidefeld
4-Massa
23 sChUmAcHeRtHeGrEaTeStEvEr 18 July 2008 at 12:32 pm

according to the bbc forecast thers a chance of wet qualifying too, which would mix up the gird.

if its a wet race im going for

hamilton
alonso
kubica

if its dry

raikkonen
massa
hamilton
24 qazuhb 18 July 2008 at 12:43 pm

I would like it wet, and that HamYRton strikes again…
25 Bluray 18 July 2008 at 12:47 pm

Mine are:

1. Kimi
2. Lewis
3. Nick
26 mani 18 July 2008 at 1:06 pm

Either wet or Dry, I guess it is very unlikely for the Ferraris to make mistakes this time (as they’ve made enough already). But, I feel Raikkonen will have a clean race this time.

My bet is

Raikkonen
Hamilton
Kubica

Massa can steal second or thrid place, if he makes no mistakes and same holds good for Heikki if he finds some good luck!!!
27 rtur 18 July 2008 at 2:30 pm

Kubica
Raikkonen
Hamilton
28 roser 18 July 2008 at 3:18 pm

If it is dry
1.massa
2.hamilton
3.raikkonen

If it is wet
1.hamilton
2.raikkonen
3.alonso
29 Noel 18 July 2008 at 3:19 pm

I’ll have a punt at it this week.

1. Hamilton
2. Kimi
3. Kovi
4. Massa

Just a wild stab in the dark. If it’s wet, and the teams don’t make stupid strategic mistakes, I think it’ll be close between the Maclarens and the Ferraris, with Ham and Kimi pulling away from Kovi and Massa.
30 verasaki 18 July 2008 at 3:23 pm

1.hamilton
2.kimi
3.kovi or kubi

i think mcl is going to make sure everyone’s got it all together. i’d love to see bmw place both drivers on the podium but, i’m just not sure they can pull it off.

if it snows:

1.kimi
2.kovi
3.trulli
31 Becken 18 July 2008 at 3:28 pm

After see the practices I think Lewis seems to be dominant in any conditions this weekend:

DRY
1. Lewis
2. Heikky
3. Heidfeld

WET
1. Massa (6 spins [new record]
2. Kimi (4 spins)
3. Mark Webber (3 spins)

Winner in wet: Lewis
32 Noel 18 July 2008 at 3:52 pm

If it snows! Ahaha!
33 James B 18 July 2008 at 3:53 pm

Dry
1. Hamilton
2. Kovalainen
3. Raikkonen

Wet
1. Heidfeld
2. Hamilton
3. Alonso
34 Polak 18 July 2008 at 4:02 pm

Kubica proved to be no Senna in Silverstone but I think hes still got it so

1]Kubica
2]Kimi
3]heidfeld
35 Dizzy 18 July 2008 at 4:44 pm

Dry
Massa
Hamilton
Heiki

Wet
Hamilton
Kubica
Alonso
36 Dizzy 18 July 2008 at 4:51 pm

2 Spins for Massa if it rains
37 Gabe 18 July 2008 at 5:41 pm

1. Kubica
2. Kovalainen
3. Heidfeld
38 Shahriar 18 July 2008 at 6:33 pm

Snows!!! What woz dat!

Anyways…
1. Kimi
2. Ham
3. Massa
4. Kubica
5. Alonso
6. Heikki
7. Heifeld
(ok i will just estop here)
39 Nick 18 July 2008 at 6:45 pm

1. Raikkonen
2. Heidfeld
3. Alonso

Hamilton will short fuel for pole but get caught up in the traffic and put himself into the back of Massa.
40 donwatters 18 July 2008 at 7:24 pm

1. Hamilton
2. Massa
3. Kimi
4. Kubica
5. Alonso
6. Weber
7. Heidfeld
8. Vettel
41 Dan Brunell 18 July 2008 at 8:13 pm

If Dry:

1: Hamilton
2: Kimi
3: Heikki

If rain:

1: Hamilton
2: Heidfeld
3: Kimi

If snow:

1: Kubica
2: Alonso
3: Hamilton

If hale:

1: Kimi
2: Kubica
3: Barachello

If tornado:

1: Roseberg
2; Vettel
3: Webber

If hurricane:

1: DC
2: Barachello
3: Button

If hell freezes over:
1: Sutil
2: Piquet Jr.
3: Le Seb
42 Nirupam 18 July 2008 at 8:23 pm

From wearher forecast it seems we r getting another wet race…and many here are picking up Alonso as podium contender.Will renault indeed enjoy their 1st podium this year(1st after Brazil 2006 i guess)?
43 Wesley 18 July 2008 at 10:37 pm

Dry:
1)Raikkonen
2)Hamilton
3)Heidfeld

Wet:
1)Heidfeld
2)Hamilton
3)Kubica
44 Becken 18 July 2008 at 10:50 pm

Dan Brunell: LOL

But If it Tornado or Hurricane I´ll put all my money in Felipe. He has the better background (Don’t you remember his masterpiece at Silverstone?) for this kind of weather conditions…
45 Daniel 18 July 2008 at 11:19 pm

Nirupam: Kovalainen was 2nd in Fuji (I guess) with Renault last year…

My predictions:

Dry
1 - Massa
2 - Raikkonen
3 - Hamilton

Wet
1 - Hamilton
2 - Alonso
3 - Barrichello
46 Kuba 18 July 2008 at 11:40 pm

In saturday we’ll find out more, but Kubica-Heidfeld-Hamilton could fight for first three places.
47 F1Fan 19 July 2008 at 12:53 am

Kimi wins from 2nd or 3rd on the grid. The F2008 is still quicker than the silvers on dry. It will be dry on Sunday.

I agree w/ Keith entirely:

1) Kimi
2) Lewis
3) Massa
48 Loki 19 July 2008 at 3:42 am

1) Hamilton
2) Massa
3) Unknown - possibly Kovy, or a BMW

1 - Lewis will be strong post-home-race-Silverstone and will probably still be revelling in glory. His confidence will have had a major boost.

2 - Massa, because (and I hope) he needs to rectify Silverstone and prove he can do something about this championship. I didn’t say Kimi, that’s not to discount him, but Kimi has next-to-webber luck.

3 - I say possibly Kovy, he needs a strong result, and I hope he can get a decent result this GP. Unless something happens to him, a BMW will be there to swipe it.

My want-on prediction:

1) Kimi
2) Massa
3) Kubica

…all within 6 seconds of each other.
49 Loki 19 July 2008 at 3:42 am

edit: not 6, I meant to punch 3.
50 GDalcin 19 July 2008 at 4:10 am

1)kimi
2)massa
3)hamilton