Germany Preview 2010

All eyes were on Red Bull Racing two weeks ago with the decision to give the one remaining front wing to Sebastian Vettel over Mark Webber, this weekend its back to the serious business of racing and the big question is, with half a season gone who will emerge victorious in the battle for the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship?
 
RED BULL'S WING DILEMMA
First of all looking back on Silverstone there are a number of things to take into consideration: was it the right decision to favour the championship leader?  What will the long-term effects be on the team? Was this merely one of the natural speed bumps a team is going to encounter on the front-line of a world championship fight?
I don’t think you can doubt the credentials of the team; don’t forget it’s been around since its birth as Paul Stewart Racing and has huge strength in depth. But it is the first time that it’s been in such a strong position in Formula 1, so it’s inevitable that instances like this will happen in the white heat of an F1 development race, combined with two top race-winning drivers.
For me, it’s not so much about whether the decision was wrong on Saturday morning, or if Mark’s comments were acceptable on Sunday afternoon – I don’t think there is a right and wrong in this situation. They’re not government ministers who need to curry favour with public opinion, they are simply doing what they think is necessary to win the world championship.
So while there was a media outcry about the situation, the fact remains it’s the right of the team to make calls like this. The drivers are hired hands, but because their contracts are (usually) limited to a season or two, they tend to be more free-spirited, especially when it comes to the media and the public.
Racing cars are very pretty sat in the garage, but it’s always the human element that attracts the attention. That’s when F1 truly comes alive.
 
WHEN TO SPEAK YOUR MIND
Regarding Mark’s post-race comments, I’ve said things publically in my career at McLaren that I ultimately regretted. Not because I didn’t feel justified in the words that I’d said at the time, but when something goes public it can create tensions within the team, and you subsequently ask yourself in hindsight: ‘was that worth it?’ However, if you feel your position is at risk, and that needs bringing to the world’s attention, then of course you should do that.
Is there any concern going forward for Mark after what he said over the Silverstone weekend? Only time will tell. My belief is that this was a storm in a teacup. The team justified its position; Mark justified his words. Problems only arise when you do or say something that you later can’t back up.
Beyond that, the media and public opinion that neither team nor driver can ultimately control, well, that’s just the twists and turns of sport. Another plotline in the 2010 F1 movie – deal with it and move on. At Hockenheim, commence battle.
 
AN CURIOUS CIRCUIT
Hockenheim has a very specific set of demands. You need good top speed for that drag to the hairpin, but a lot of mechanical grip for its twisty stadium sections. I can see a slightly different mix of the grid this weekend, compared to Silverstone, but I can’t tell you exactly what that will be!
Will that throw a spanner in the works of the title fight? Maybe.
It’s a massive weekend for Mercedes, it’s first home grand prix as a works team for decades. It could well be that the nuances of the circuit suits it, and a big result there would help them immensely.
Michael Schumacher certainly needs a good run, as we’re at the halfway point of the season and he’s got a third of the points of his team-mate. How many people would have predicted that?
If anyone needs a result this weekend, Michael does.