The German GP Preview

The stage is surely set for a home win in this weekend's German Grand Prix, as Sebastian Vettel enters on a high from his second victory of the season at the British Grand Prix. But then again, that's what everyone said about Jenson Button and Silverstone, a race that marked the low-water mark of his 2009 campaign to date.

One thing is for sure, barring something exceptional it will be all about the battle between Brawn GP and Red Bull Racing. Increasingly, it seems that the energy drinks giant's team holds the key cards - it has the fastest car, vastly improved tyre management and a driver, in Vettel, who is at the top of his game.

But to assume it will simply be a Red Bull benefit would be to underestimate Ross Brawn's men. Both teams have update packages ready to run on Friday, so don't bet against another shift in the competitive balance.

Talking points

1. What will the weather be like?

The Brawn BGP 001 has always been very kind to its tyres. On the downside, that means that it doesn't work them hard enough at cooler track temperatures. That's the problem that left Jenson Button down in sixth place when the chequered flag fell at Silverstone. So the hotter the better for Brawn. But the unanswered question hangs over Red Bull. Its rear tyre graining was vastly reduced at Silverstone - at the Nurburgring, we will have a better idea of how well the rears will stand up at a more stressful track.

2. March of the number twos

Rubens Barrichello finally defeated team-mate Button at the British Grand Prix, and he needs to close the points gap if he is to hang on to his chances of becoming drivers' champion. It's a similar story at Red Bull, although Mark Webber has been so close to Vettel that the German can probably feel breath on his neck. Webber needs to deliver in key moments - if he can outqualify Vettel then his strong pace over the long runs could allow him to defeat Sebastian. And that could mean, at last, a maiden grand prix victory.

Kimi Raikkonen battles with Timo Glock during the British Grand Prix © LAT

Toyota, Williams and Ferrari are locked in a battle for the accolade of best of the rest. All three teams have development parts to try out, although based on Silverstone form it's Toyota that has the advantage. If, and it's a big if, the Japanese team can get its tyres working.

4. BMW and McLaren-Mercedes in the doldrums

It has been a while since the German fans have headed to a grand prix in Germany without a hope of either of their "home" teams winning. McLaren has KERS back for the Nurburgring, but realistically the most it can hope for is a few points. BMW has a major update package designed to get the best out of the double-diffuser concept, and hopes are high that Q3 is achievable.

5. Force India looking for points

Giancarlo Fisichella claimed a very racy 10th place in the British Grand Prix last month, comfortably staying ahead of the McLarens, BMWS and Renaults. With more aero upgrades ready for Friday practice, could the Italian or home hero Adrian Sutil finally claim the team's first point?

Key factors

1. The weather: The Nurburgring is well known for its inclement weather - remember the whole field crashing at Turn 1 two years ago while debutant Markus Winkelhock headed for the lead!

2. First corner carnage: Talking of the first corner, it's a short downhill run into Turn 1 that offers plenty of overtaking opportunities at the start. With opportunity comes danger, so don't count out one or more of the leading contenders' races to come unstuck a few seconds after the lights go out.

3. Overtaking opportunities: There's Turn 1, and the run into the chicane that offer clear chances to pass, which means that drivers who underachieve in qualifying can think about making amends.

Strategy

As ever, a two-stopper is standard, although with overtaking a possibility someone might take a punt on a three-stopper. A few of the real qualifying underachievers might think about going down the one-stop route.

Race History

Here's a surprising fact - this year will be only the second time that the "new" Nurburgring has hosted the German Grand Prix!

Although it has been a regular feature on the F1 calendar in recent years, holding 12 European grands prix stretching all the way back to Michele Alboreto's victory for Ferrari in 1985.

Michele Alboreto (Ferrari 156/85) leads Elio de Angelis (Lotus 97T Renault) and Alain Prost (McLaren MP4/2B TAG Porsche) during the 1984 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring © LAT

That year was the first time since 1976 that F1 had raced at the ring, and it was increasingly clear that the majestic Nordschleife was no longer suitable for grand prix racing even before Niki Lauda's near-fatal accident in 1976. The Nurburgring holds the distinction of being the only circuit to host three different world championship grands prix, as the Luxembourg Grand Prix was staged here in 1997 and 1998.

The German Grand Prix has one of the most illustrious histories of any race on the calendar. First held in 1926 at Avus, it has been a near-ever present on the world championship calendar (1955 and 2007 aside), and has been won by some of the greatest drivers of all time.

Rudolf Caracciola won the event six times from 1926-1939, with Michael Schumacher winning four times.