German GP McLaren preview

Germany Grand Prix 28th - 30th July '95 Hockenheim Hockenheim will be venue for Round Nine of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the first of two Grands Prix to be held in Germany this season. For Mercedes-Benz and its partners Marlboro McLaren, there could be no better place to demonstrate the progress made in the chassis and engine development of Mika Hakkinen and Mark Blundell's MP4/10 cars.

The Hockenheimring, built a few kilometres away from the university town of Heidelberg, offers a daunting combination of long straights and difficult chicanes in the middle of the Badenian Forest. The Formula One cars power away from the "Motodrom", a tight stadium shaped area accomodating pits, paddock and grandstands, and disappear through the trees to cover most of the 6.823-km long track. The cars reach their maximum speeds along the long straights in and out of the forest, before being submitted to severe braking into the narrow confines of the Motodrom.

Top speed will be an important factor for all competitors in the German Grand Prix. Following the positive results obtained with the latest evolution engine in Mika Hakkinen's car at Silverstone (fastest time in the warm-up), five units have been produced and will be used by Marlboro McLaren Mercedes over the weekend.

Last week, Mika and Mark went to Barcelona to test a series of new chassis developments. Over the three-day session, in temperatures approaching 40 degreees celsius and with in race trim, the drivers were able to improve on the times achieved in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix, back in May.

Mark enjoyed his visit to Hockenheim two years ago. He scored one of the best results of his career when he appeared on the third block of the rostrum alongside Alain Prost and Michael Schumacher. For Mika, the venue does not bring such fond recollections, following a heavy accident in last year's opening lap, which, incidentally, also eliminated Mark. However, the "Flying Finn" will be keen to erase painful memories of 1994 and finish the race on a high note.