Indeed,
BMW Sauber topped all three practice sessions prior to qualifying but changes in the track meant that both
Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve would start well outside the top ten.
Nonetheless, Heidfeld fought back with his two-stop strategy to benefit from various retirements and claim eighth place at the chequered flag and add another point to his tally.
However, the team have now slipped back to sixth place in the constructors’ standings and are determined to hit back at
Toyota in what is the squad’s home grand prix, in front of a BMW supporting crowd, albeit without their fins after the
FIA ordered the team to remove them on the grounds of safety.
"As the home Grand Prix, the German GP is naturally something special for me. A lot of fans are sure to come over from Switzerland too, as has always been the case. So I'm really looking forward to the crowds in Hockenheim.
Villeneuve meanwhile is not a great fan of the new layout that was opened in 2002, the Canadian preferring the challenged posed by the former tree-lined, high-speed circuit.
"I have fond memories mainly of the old track. The current lay out is no longer a low- downforce circuit and is similar to some of the other modern race tracks we drive on. There are a few good braking zones as well as passing opportunities, which make the races interesting. It is likely to be very hot in Hockenheim. Recently, our strength has not been in hot races or tracks requiring a lot of downforce. We will be doing our level best."
MF1 Racing – Tiago Monteiro (#18), Christijan Albers (#19):
Another team to benefit from Bridgestone’s tyre improvements, MF1 Racing were once again chomping at the heels of the established mid-field runners, with Christijan Albers qualifying for the second stage of qualifying again.
Although race pace, as well as their first point, has so far eluded the Anglo-Russian team, MF1 Racing continue to develop the M16 with Hockenheim this time heralding revised front and rear suspension.
