Setting the scene for the German Grand Prix
It's 20 years since Michael Schumacher earned his first podium at home; while Sebastian Vettel is still searching for a first win in front his countrymen. Edd Straw muses over this and Lewis Hamilton's future destination ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim
Michael Schumacher finished third at Hockenheim in 1992. It was his first home grand prix and therefore his first podium on German soil, a real moment to savour both for the man himself and the home crowd. And where was Sebastian Vettel at that point? Well, probably at home watching on television, but earlier that weekend he'd been there trackside, cheering on Schumacher.
Now, Schumacher is very well aware of his own senior citizen status on the Formula 1 grid and perfectly comfortable with it as well.
After all, if you're 43 and you can still finish on the podium, that's a lot to be satisfied about. But you would have forgiven him for a double take when he heard about Vettel's memorable Hockenheim moment.
"I remember the first time I came here," said Vettel while seated alongside Schumacher in Thursday's press conference. "It was with my father in I think 1992. I was five years old and we came on a Friday. It was raining like crazy on the old track.
"We waited for the cars to come, for Michael to come. They only did the installation lap but that was already enough because just to hear the cars, the sound and see the spray was unique."
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