Grapevine: More News from the Paddock - German GP

Arrows Motorhome

Arrows made a half-hearted effort at the German Grand Prix when they failed to turn up with their full equipment. The cash-strapped team are allocated two spots for their motorhomes, and usually join the two parts to create one large table-filled section, complete with smart floor and a marble-effect central serving area. But this time, the team decided to bring just one bus and create an old-style awning motorhome, crammed with tables and used mainly for their mechanics and staff.

Before their cash crisis was revealed to the public, team boss Tom Walkinshaw put on a display of affluence with a lobster dinner for the British press at the Canadian Grand Prix. All that, of course, is long gone now...but with the on-track return of their cars signalling takeover deals could be nearing completion, there could be lobsters back on those tables any time soon.

Forgetful McNish

It seems that Toyota driver Allan McNish cannot learn when to slow down on the new Hockenheim circuit after the Scot was caught by the FIA's pitlane speed trap not once but twice, in consecutive practice sessions. He was caught racing out of his pit at 62 km/h at the end of the second practice session on Friday and fined $1,000 even though he was just 2 km/h above the limit.

But the petty cash fine for big-budget Toyota seemed to have already escaped McNish's mind less than 24 hours later, when he was punished for exactly the same offence during the Saturday morning session. This time he was 3.7 km/h over the accepted limit and the FIA fined his team a further $2,000 as a repeat offender.

Commentary Kafuffle

Two well known television commentators almost came to blows as they headed into the circuit in separate cars on Friday morning. "It is the closest to losing our relationship we have ever come," said one after he experienced a hairy ride into the circuit after deciding to follow his colleague (who has been known to dip his toe in the rallying scene on occasion) through the complicated roads of a town close to the Hockenheim circuit. Picturesque Speyer is not the easiest place to get out of at the best of times, and it was clear that being forced to race to keep up with directions was clearly not the ideal start to the day.