Mark’s German GP Preview
Mark heads to the Nurburgring, scene of his first Formula One victory, for this weekend’s German Grand Prix. While the track lacks the challenge of the original 14-mile Nurburgring Nordschleife, it’s still an interesting technical challenge and it’s quick to expose any weaknesses in cars and drivers.
“The track is quite enjoyable to drive,” says Mark. “It’s almost 30 years old, so it’s got some history of its own and it has quite a lot of character. There are some camber changes and a lot of undulations, so it’s interesting to drive. I’ve got a good record there too: I got my first Red Bull podium at the track in ’07; I took my first win in ’09 and I started from pole the last time we raced there in ’11.”
The F1 talk going into the race weekend is about tyres, and whether or not the changes to the rear construction will stop a repeat of the blowouts witnessed at Silverstone last weekend. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, of which Mark is a former director, issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday evening, in which it made clear its unhappiness at the current tyre situation and threatened that the drivers would withdraw from the race weekend if there’s an occurrence this weekend.
“If we’d had the problems at Silverstone on Friday, instead of Sunday, then the result would probably have been the same as at Indy in 2005 [when all of the Michelin runners withdrew from the race],” says Mark. “You can’t magically turn up with a new type of tyre overnight and provide 100 sets through the pitlane. But there should be enough data from Silverstone for Pirelli to improve the package the give us more confidence.”
The weather in the Eiffel Mountains is often unpredictable, but forecasters are reservedly telling teams that the race weekend will be dry and increasingly warm. That being so, we can expect a thrilling weekend of racing. Can Mark make it three poles in a row and two wins out of three?
“As ever, “ says Mark, “it’s going to be about having a clean weekend and peaking at the right moment. Mercedes are going to be quick, but I hope we will be too.”
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3 Comments
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Jill and Brian
on July 5, 2013Looking good in FP1 and 2 Mark. You’ve got that Aussie Grit between your teeth mate, let’s get that top step. Good luck, were with you all the way. Go Webbo.
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Roberta
on July 7, 2013Good luck Mark!!!!!
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Ballssss Out
on July 7, 2013Mark did an awesome job in Q3….started the race very strongly…..fast car…then shafted by his Vettel biased team again. RBR=cheats racing team!!!
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