Grapevine: Final News from the Paddock - German GP

Important Guests

Germany-based Toyota were the only team from the Formula One-loving country that could call this weekend's race a home Grand Prix - and they were determined to make the most of it by inviting along Bayern Munich footballers Michael Ballack and Giovane Elber to join them on race day. Their drivers, however, were unlikely to be impressed by the visit of the German internationals - because Olivier Panis is from France and Cristiano da Matta from Brazil - the two teams to lift the World Cup in the last two tournaments. Even so, the Toyota pair were happy to pose for photographs before heading off to join their Formula One pals on the pre-race drivers' parade.

Keeping His Cool

While Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was quick to deny he used any cooling apparatus before the start of the race, which took place in temperatures of up to 38 degrees, his close South American friend Rubens Barrichello openly admitted he needed a bit of cooling down - but not, he claimed, because of the oppressive heat. Seen on the grid wearing a cold towel under his cap so it hanged down over both ears, he remarked: "I think a lot of people have been talking about me so I need to cool down my ears." Maybe he should have kept it for later to put under his collar instead - because he was certainly feeling hot there after he had been punted out of the race in a three-way collision between himself, Ralf Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen.

Cricket Visit

The Germans can claim to know very little about cricket so it was some surprise when Indian cricketing hero Sachin Tendulkar made an appearance in the paddock at Hockenheim. He had flown in especially for the race with his wife and watched it from a grandstand opposite the pits. "I have always been a fan of fast cars, so it's only natural that I should like Formula One too," he said. "I find the technical side of the sport as fascinating as the sporting side. These cars are fantastic." Why he picked Germany remains to be seen, but perhaps he was taking an overall look with a view to Bernie Ecclestone's recent comments that an Indian Grand Prix could be on its way in the future.

Deutschland Uber Alles

Great Britain is widely regarded as the biggest operator in motorsport, and particularly in Formula One with six of the current teams based there and some of the sport's biggest stars born there. It is generally acknowledged that the Silverstone area has one of the biggest populations of Formula One experts in the world - but at Hockenheim one observer was quick to dismiss the perception that in Formula One the British rule the world. "We are the best now," he said. "Look at it, we have Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and the Schumachers. What more can you say."