Grapevine: More News from the Paddock - European GP

Jordan Girls

Jordan brought two attractions to the Nurburgring, as Benson and Hedges pit-girls Michelle Clack and Charlie O'Neal provided perfect viewing for the male members of the paddock. The pair posed for a photoshoot ahead of the England-Brazil World Cup quarter-final by holding flags from both country's aloft on Friday and were then on duty for a special photocall with Giancarlo Fisichella ahead of his 100th Grand Prix start.

Record Breakers

A record attendance of approximately 150,000 is expected to attend Sunday's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring after revisions to the track made way for a further 8,000 spectators. The extra capacity was created thanks to the new Mercedes Arena, which includes four new turns, and the slow twisting section is expected to offer prime viewing with overtaking opportunities aplenty. The track has been lengthened by 588 metres as a result of the new corners and the race distance shortened from 67 laps to 60 for this year's race. Last year the event was an estimated 142,000 sell-out.

Orange Squashed

Telecommunications giant Orange, the sponsors of the Arrows team, were again linked with a switch to Renault in the Nurburgring paddock. Orange is owned by France Telecom, and it is thought that a sponsorship package with French marque Renault is more in line with the company's hopes for maximum exposure. The Podia group, a specialist in the marketing field, are set to announce a deal with Arrows and according to rumours it is expected to result in the loss of Orange as the main sponsors of the Leafield-based team, with Renault the speculated destination.

BAR Gear

Rather than wearing the usual team clothing on Friday, British American Racing's hospitality staff opted to show their support to England in their World Cup quarter-final against Brazil by donning special t-shirts. A white t-shirt, similar in design to the replica England shirts, with a number seven - the squad number of captain David Beckham - on the back was the chosen attire for the day. The mechanics and engineers, who packed out the team's motorhome during the 2-1 defeat to the South Americans, decided to stick with the regular shirts, however.

De la Rosa's Luck

Pedro de la Rosa was seemingly out of luck in Saturday's final practice sessions ahead of qualifying for the European Grand Prix as problems with his Jaguar prevented him for making any progress. He was left stuck in the garage in the first session and completed just three laps, before engine failure put an end to his second session just three laps in. But for the Spaniard it may have been a blessing in disguise because his native Spain were in action in a World Cup quarter-final against South Korea and no doubt he put his feet up and watched while his fellow drivers remained on track.