Grapevine: News from the Paddock - German GP

Revved Up

Both German-engined teams in Formula One, McLaren and Williams, paid a visit to the headquarters of their respective supply companies Mercedes and BMW in the week prior to the German Grand Prix. Both Mika Hakkinen and title contender David Coulthard went to Stuttgart where they met staff at the Mercedes factory and Hakkinen was delighted to see the team that is working behind them.

"It was interesting to visit the dynos to see how they are testing and developing the engines," he said. "It was good to give our views and feelings on how we can improve in both ways and I believe it motivated everyone even more to work harder because we are part of the team completely." Williams driver Ralf Schumacher was also impressed by the sheer commitment of the team. "It is the first time I have seen the factory and how they work, and in a way they just seem to live for it," he said. "It's like a big family."

Balls Up

The German Grand Prix ball has been cancelled due to lack of ticket sales as the high-class evening failed to win the favour of the fans. The Hockenheimring is renowned for its atmosphere, but not in the dinner jacket style - more on the beer and barbecue level. The fans turn this normally quiet area of Germany into a heaving mobile city on race weekend, and Eddie Irvine's sister Sonia, organiser of the Grand Prix ball, said that there was no point putting on the prestigious event because it would not make enough money for the charities it supports. The Monza event has also been called off, and the organisers are now concentrating on plans for the American Grand Prix ball in September.

Germany Not in Mourning

The sympathy for sacked German Heinz-Harald Frentzen was evident in the crowds around the Hockenheim circuit on Friday, the first day of running in preparation for the German Grand Prix. But the fans still seemed to be more concentrated on the battle of the two Schumachers than mourning Frentzen's loss, and although Jordan team members said things 'felt awkward' walking through the airport when they arrived in Germany, there was little sign of resentment from the crowds for Frentzen, who had already made his get-away and flown down to Spain to be with his mother.

It is also believed that, contrary to expectations, German sponsors Deutsche Post were not concerned by the loss of their German driver as they are more interested in results than a patriotic allegiance.