Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - German GP

Goodbye to Teenage Years

Formula One lost its only teenage driver on the day of the Hockenheim race when youngster Fernando Alonso turned 20. He only started racing cars in 1999, and just one year later he secured his first victory in Formula 3000 before being whisked into Formula One by Australian Minardi owner Paul Stoddart.

But for the impressive Minardi driver, tipped to be a star of the future and contracted to Renault for some years to come, it was not such a happy birthday as the only flames to blow out were not on a birthday cake, but were coming out of his car as he sat on the grid. However, things turned out well in the end as he was able to switch to his spare car and ended up as one of only 10 finishers in the race.

Panis Off Again

Olivier Panis was fined again for speeding in the pitlane during qualifying on Saturday to prove that there are a few things in Formula One that he just cannot get to grips with. Panis is a constant offender of the pitlane rule, and despite his speed of 66mph (105km/h) being four miles an hour slower than Jenson Button's fastest speed through the pits, the Frenchman was given the same fine of $3000.

In the Picture

British American Racing made team member Claudio Corradini a proud man when they decided to put on a display of his photographic work in the team motorhome during the Grand Prix weekend. The exhibition was part of the team's 'Tribal Night' and Corradini said: "To have my work showcased in the motorhome like this is really fantastic. It's such a good opportunity for me and it is nice that so many people can see what I am doing." The framed artwork of travel scenes brightened up the BAR motorhome, and is sure to have made everyone think of the three week break which Formula One now has to relax.