NURBURGRING, Germany - The schedule leaves the home of the team and Mark Webber to visit Sebastian Vettel's home country with this race. Nurburgring is one of the oldest Formula One circuits, and therefore has been changed multiple times over the years. What stands today is a track consisting of long straights, series of gear-changing turns, and few chances of overtaking. Although it has been scaled down from the original 14 miles, the Nurburgring is still considered to be the most dangerous, toughest, and demanding track.
Drivers start the race flat out and reach speeds of up to 295kmh, before reaching the first hairpin turn and must quickly reduce to 78kmh. This pattern of turns, which vary greatly between low, medium, and high-speed turns continues until the chicanes at Turns 14 and 15, which are the best opportunities for drivers to overtake each other. The braking point at Turn 13 can also be a good overtaking point, but only for the brave.
The famous Schumacher S is among the fastest turns at the circuit, because drivers take this long, sweeping curve flat out and at speeds of around 270kmh.
The curvy nature of the circuit lends itself to miscalculations during turns and many opportunities to oversteer. The cars will be running with peak downforce during this race, so the team and driver's need to maximize aero efficiency.
DRIVER QUOTES
Sebastian Vettel
Q1: Tell us about the Nürburgring circuit
Vettel: It's one of the longer tracks, and one I know very well from when I was racing in the junior series in Formula BMW and Formula 3. I've always had a lot of fun on this track. In 2009, I made it to the podium for the first time in Formula One when we got a one-two, and it was a fantastic experience thanks to the German fans.
Q2: Which part of the circuit do you like best?
Vettel: Driving out of the Mercedes-Arena and into the Müllenbach loop is good. Then down towards the Dunlop hairpin, you have to put it in third or fourth gear there. Then onto the Schumacher-S into the Warsteiner bend and back down towards the ADVAN arch.
Q3: Where's the best place for a fan to watch from at the track?
Vettel: If you are looking for action, you should go for sections where overtaking is possible, so at the first corner. The fast corners are exciting as well: the Müllenbach loop, the Michael-
Schumacher-S, and the section following the ADVAN arch, shortly before the chicane.
Mark Webber
Q1: What's your best memory from the Nürburgring ?
Webber: My first Formula One win there in 2009. That's got to be my best memory from that circuit by far and one of the best of my whole career. It was such a special day and to win it in the style that we did that day was incredible.
Q2: What are your thoughts on the circuit?
Webber: I prefer the Nürburgring to Hockenheim; it's got a bit of character about it, with some old school camber changes and old curbs. The best part is Turns 5 and 6 -- the fast left which goes into the tight right.
KEY TRACK STATISTICS
Local start time: 14h00
Number of laps: 60
Circuit length: 5.148km
Race distance: 308.623km
Grand Prix debut: 1951
Lap record: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari, 2004), 1:29.428
2012 QUALIFYING
1) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
3) Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2012 RACE RESULTS
1) Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
2) Jenson Button (McLaren)
3) Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
5) Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
8) Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
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