Thursday 4 July 2013

German Grand Prix: Can lessons be learnt from Silverstone?

 
The upcoming German Grand Prix could be a crucial one for all drivers; after safety concerns at the British Grand Prix, it is hoped that Pirelli's new tyre design is much safer with Kevlar replacing metal inside the tyres. After four incidents last weekend, the race at the Nurburgring will prove whether the tyres can last a race distance. Pirelli insist that the kerbs are not to blame for the explosions of tyres.

Originally, Pirelli were initially tasked to make races more interesting by making sure that teams and drivers conduct more pitstops, and this has certainly been achieved but to much criticism from drivers for providing too many pitstops. Michael Schumacher has described driving with the Pirelli tyres like driving on Raw Eggshells last season. It is a bad criticism on Pirelli, one of the worlds most famous tyre manufacturer. The German Grand Prix this weekend should be an interesting one, the tyres will be heavily talked about during coverage and commentry, and it will be intersting if any of the drivers can catch Sebastian Vettel up in the drivers championship standings.

In response to the safety issues, FIA has permitted teams to conuct 2 3-day tests, which would in breech of rules regarding in-season testing, which recently Mercedes were cleared of all but a slap on the wrist. It was reported that Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 ring leader asked FIA boss Jean Todt if it is possible to conduct tests which Todt gave permission to. With the Mercedes tyre storm over, it turns out Ferrari performed similar tests but obviously no investigation has been carried out regarding Ferraris involvement in any Pirelli tests.

The race will occur this Sunday (7th July) and Alonso who is second in the standings will hope that he can catch Vettel up in the drivers standings; there is a 21 point gap, and Vettel will hope he does not suffer with a gearbox failure at his home grand prix. Mercedes are looking strong this season thanks to Nico Rosbergs almost faultless driving, and Hamilton as a good supporting act-who could of won in Britain but tyre failure ended any chances of a victory. Tune in on Sunday for the race.

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