The German Grand Prix - Qualifying Formula 1

1927, will come to a dance through Here, at more than anywhere else,

the line between joy and pain was a fine one! In 1976, that chapter

closed but the name and the challenge lives on. One man made

Sebastian Vettel, you are the World Champion! Those now famous steely

eyes, but is it now his time? Welcome to Germany and two

Sebastian Vettel's triumphant homecoming. Top the first time in

six years a German defending champion has defended his title at

home. And the perfect way to announce his arrival would be to

pick up pole position. This is Silverstone whether from a couple

of weeks ago, it could rain at any moment. It is colder here and

Silverstone which will make it challenging for tyre temperatures.

They have a -- they have a competition to see who can come up

with the worst weather, it is fifty-fifty at the moment.

weather was not great but beautiful circuit at Silverstone. And this is

good, not a patch on the famous Nordschleife, but still good.

have had a couple of back-to-back competitions, but being an older

circuit, this new a circuit was built in 1984 and you can find

yourself on the grass. We have seen excursions in practice sessions.

have three corners over 150 miles per hour, there is no stand-out

section at but the beauty is the sum of the part, isn't it? It is

about rhythm, the drivers have to put the lap together. It is

difficult to match its low-speed corners and a mechanical grip and

balance that with the aerodynamics of the need for the fast corners.

And section two is key, and guess who is she? Red Bull. Surprise,

surprise! I liked that sign-off from Michael waving to the crowd,

entertaining everybody. Is he very relaxed or is it unusual to see him

slipping around and waving at everybody? He has spare capacity,

he made mistakes in tricky conditions, but he realises the

importance of this Grand Prix for Mercedes. And he is a German driver

so is playing to the crowd. And he has won here on five occasions so

knows his way round the track. It is also a big weekend for Sebastian

Vettel but do not be fooled into thinking that all the flags here

are in honour of him. With a quarter of the grid made up of

Germans, there are six good reasons And the British are here keeping

that i's on Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button who work in at the

top 10 in the final part of practice today. But it is strange,

we have a German World Champion, 6 German drivers and there is talk

about potentially no German Grand Prix going on next year, what is

going on? It is laughable, at this place is sell-out, 300,000 people

here today and tomorrow. I do not understand what is going on.

Commercially... Michael Schumacher has turned this around. This

country was steeped in sports cars, grit turned it into it in a country

steeped in Formula One talent. as far as Sebastian Vettel is

concerned, he has won a lot of big competitions. This year, he added

Monaco to his list of achievements. But he has not won his whole race.

We have mentioned this before, the importance for a driver, the

feeling of achievement doing it in front of a home crowd. He probably

came here as a young boy watching them. He is still a young man! He

will be focused on making this if only he gets another victory this

season, getting it here. Have you spoken to him or is he busy with

commitments? He has his family here, his mother and father and little

brother who was pulling some tricks on a skateboard with a handle, what

is that? His scooter? You can tell I am in -- I am not in touch with

the younger generation! Denied that I might, a move on swiftly. -- a-

night that, I. We know Sebastian Vettel has a healthy lead, can he

maintain the gap? His team-mate is Sebastian Vettel got away better!

He leads from Mark Webber. McLaren against McLaren, Lewis Hamilton on

the inside. Michael did not expect him to come back on to the racing

line. That is a misjudgment from Michael. Look at that! Coming into

the final quarter, Jenson Button get to the air power -- gets to the

apex. Brilliant move again from him. Fernando Alonso under pressure from

Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton in again. Red Bull have gone on,

Fernando Alonso is through and Sebastian Vettel has serious work

to do now! the inside and Mark Webber sales

down the inside, and into third place. Sebastian Vettel goes to the

in sight, Mark Webber goes a long way round and he runs out of

racetrack. This is a proper fight for second place in the Grand Prix!

Maintain that gap. Fernando Alonso wins the British Grand Prix.

Felipe Massa is through... Contact! Can of Lewis Hamilton get back on

the inside? He can. He bullies him out of the way! Lewis Hamilton does

it and a clear fourth place for Ticket sales have been brilliant

but she expects that with a German champion and six German drivers. As

far as Ferrari is concerned, half a season will do and they will try

and win the title with half the races left. I think the same will

happen, at a little bit too late. Silverstone, they excited the crowd.

There were not many people disappointed to see Ferrari winning,

they are a big team. But why cannot they get it together earlier? I do

not understand. The other big story was Mark Webber asked to maintain

the gap. He told us he chose not to do that, is that indicative of a

mature and confident driver at ease with making decisions or is that

the dangerous road to go down for him? A little bit of both probably.

He has respect in the team and a good position in the team. The

owner of Red Bull light that fighting spirit. I do not think he

is in danger of losing his position. They are discussing a contract for

next year. It causes problems for the Team Principal because he wants

to have read all when Drivers' Championships and Constructors'

Championships. The two drivers will fight it out. It is worth reminding

you of the pecking order in Formula One, Ferrari are not a German team

with German drivers but there are people here because they are the

closest they have is Fernando Alonso. Sebastian Vettel has a lead

of 80 point as over his team-mate. McLaren are second and Ferrari in a

relatively distant third. I have heard a rumour and Red Bull staff

get a bonus based on the Constructors' Championship. Plenty

to see, including David getting a lift round the track from Nico

Rosberg. But this is the latest Silverstone gave Ferrari plenty to

smile about but for many others, it created more questions than answers.

Mark Webber was eager to ask his Red Bull bosses questions after he

was told not to fight Sebastian Vettel for second place. May attain

the gap, maintain the gap. We have spoken. Both sides have been put

forward. In the unlikely event of it happening again, normally things

have settles down by the end but it had not buy Silverstone. Did you

ask if the positions were reversed if you would be treated to the

same? They have assured me that would be the same. Other drivers

asking questions of their team were Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.

Strategy was called into question after Lewis Hamilton was told to

save fuel early on and Jenson only had three wheels on his wagon after

a pit stop. Lewis does not seem to think he will be challenging at the

front this weekend. I cannot challenge pole position. But we do

not know their fuel load so we might be pleasantly surprised

tomorrow to find we are heavier than others. So that brings us

closer again. But historically, that is not the case, but we will

wait and see tomorrow. Sebastian Vettel may have tipped most of the

boxes in his short career but one thing he has to achieve is to win

his home Grand Prix. He'd do it -- he hopes to do that this weekend.

It would be fantastic, it is the one weekend. -- it is the one

missing. But if you pushed too hard, you will not succeed. I hope for

the support to go a bit quicker. There has been a change of driver

at Lotus with Narain Karthikeyan taking the seat of Adrian Sutil

this weekend. It would give the Indian driver a chance to show his

class, but with only one weekend, the pressure is on a. This weekend

is about building a foundation for the future. You cannot do three

days like the old days so we have to do it in front of 300,000 people

this weekend. But it has been all right, I found 1.5 seconds this

afternoon from this morning. I am getting there! Vitaly Petrov was

the star attraction as Formula One took to the streets last weekend.

They drove in Moscow to give Russia opportunity to come to race weekend.

This was one small step to bring Formula One in Russia and it was

around 60,000 people. So formula one heading to new frontiers.

Forgive us if we look at the wrong camera. There are a lot of them

around. It is a popular place here. David, interesting quote from Lewis

Hamilton, before the weekend had started, to write off any chance of

feting -- of getting pole position. No he has to be realistic. He can't

just say he will be on pole. Of course he wants to be there. Maybe

he will end up there. But in normal condition the McClaren is not

capable of getting pole position. It is not just action on the track.

There have been stories about the situation concerning Bernie

Ecclestone, when Formula One was sold a few years ago. The questions

around Bernie Ecclestone over possibly making a payment to

someone. I spoke to him before we came on air to get his thoughts. If

you would, would you give us a short update on what is happening

with the court case in Germany. Nothing. The same as it's always

been. What is the situation with the case? I have no idea. We have

got is what the press put out. Nothing more. So the news that

people have received, a payment was made by yourself to someone. I

believe the news is you said that payment was indeed made? What I

have said was I never made any payment concerning the shares of

company, that was sold to CBC. money was paid? What you have just

said, I have said that. OK. How do you feel about those stories being

linked alongside the Formula One name. Is it an issue for you?

can't help. It shouldn't have happened. When the facts come out,

people will be a bit more surprised. At the moment, I can't say any more.

What do you expect to happen? will happen with what With the case.

I don't know. I have no idea. you personally is it difficult to

concentrate on the job you have to do? No, because I have ignored,

apart from one or two press asking questions. Because it is news.

There is a will the of things about that bank that a lot of people have

forgot to mention names. My name catches people's eye, because of

Formula One. Is it a genuine concern for you? No. Not at all. No,

no, no. People are a bit disa pointed, they thought I was going

to be arrested or something. I'm sorry to disappoint people. Well he

is smiling at the moment. But Bernie not keen to discuss that

topic. Now something that we can get our teeth into. Something that

drivers working out. Tyres, they have changed over the years. But

one thing is the same. Just as David can tell you, they're the

only four things connecting your race car to the track. All the top

drivers are here at Nurburgring. Rain causes a last minute change of

tyres. The tyre when all it stripped away, it is four patches

connecting the driver to the road. A chemical R in which he places his

trust and confidence. It is a relationship, respect the nurture

rewarded and the harsh and careless punished. It is a living being,

adapting as the tyre tracks the race, so the road has shaped them

through decades. # Please allow me to introduce myself, him a man of

wealth and taste # The tall and skinny tyres of the earlier years

danced with their drivers, balancing heavy cars at massive

speed. In Formula One's quest for speed, the tyres bloated and spread.

The tread disappeared and manufacturers pushed the limits

ever further. Hardly believable. A ribbon of rubber. A relentless race

to connect the driver to the road. They clung to the track as engine

grew and were forced ever harder into the surface. Such was the grip

that for regulations put grooves into the tyres, reining in the

speed. But the drivers missed their friends and in 2009 the much-loved

slicks returned. Now everything and nothing has changed. Still four

tyres, the driver and the road. The -- but perely had changed the game.

The art of choosing the right tyre at the right time has never been

more vital and the rewards and failures ever more greater. This

has given us some of the most exciting racing Formula One has

seen. Tremendous driving. That is brilliant. Thank you. Some puefl

shots there and plenty more to come. -- beautiful shots. And also wet

weather tyres. But we're here outside Williams and we have been

given a set of Rubens Barrichello's race tyres. The press officer said

look after them. But it is good to get up close with something we have

spoken a lot about this year. What do you think of the tyres that they

have brought to Formula One that are more marginal and create more

citing -- quiting -- exciting racing. I do, I know for the

drivers it is frustrating rgs, you want a tyre that will do that lap

after lap. But for the spectacle, we have seen more strategy and the

drivers having to control the point at which they fall off the cliff in

performance. So overall, I think we have to say thank you for giving us

that opportunity. I couldn't endorse it more. Pirelly were give

an mandate to come up with certain structure to put excitement into

the racing. They have delivered and they have been supreme. Of course

this weekend, it is a real art form of making just one pit stop. Rubens

Barrichello, we will wait and find out what happens with him. He won

here in 2002. Now the this is the Nurburgring. The name has been

around since 1927. When they used to race on the nord sh life. But --

Nordschleife. It was then a totally car together. Michael Schumacher.

Apartly given Rosberg a driving lesson. That will be interesting.

How was the warm up lap. Crazey. He was going slow. Now I will show you

how it is done. I'm not allowed to drive? I will handle that. Don't

worry. I'm scared, not a good passenger. Some would say not a

good driver, but not good passenger. I'm going with the team leader,

that gives me confidence. You can repeat that couple of times. I will

just take a few chances. Because I don't know. I continue know where

it goes. Now it gets serious. Send my regards to my mother! It is OK

so far. Can I not see a thing. It is an exciting weekend for me. This

is a unique way to start the weekend. BLEEP! It is amazing they

still do race on this track now. And especially when you think there

was no barriers like 20 years back. That is amazing. Oh Jesus! Oh!

will lift off the track and fly for 20 metres, I will go flat out over

the back. Oh! Now down the back straight. That is a massively long

straight and you reach a top speed of 300. 260, 270, 280. It is time

to brake. I don't know what is coming up in front. It is just the

that. My stomach's not built for it! That was a bit of a scare for

me too. You had it under control. Didn't quite manage to lift off.

don't want this to seem strange, but can I borrow your hand a moment.

200. That is when I used to train. That is fear. It is fun, but you

hear so much about this this track and I never been around it. To be

around it myself on such a day, when half of the track was wets and

half was dry. And so many bumps where you can't see. You're having

to go that way. Or this a for me to go to doctor. You have got to go to

doctor. All the best for the weekend. Go get some points ch

thank you. Maybe you needed the doctor forgetting in that car?

Dryers are never good passengers. You trust these guys. But it is the

nord sh life. But he got me back to the start. Now, we have seen this

weekend both Nico and Michael driving classy Merz cars. --

Mercedes cars. They are both five points finishes, they have similar

records. One will want to assert himself over the other. Yes the two

are, one is quicker than the other, the other thinks he is quicker. By

the end of season we will find out who is the quickest. But there is a

shadow about it, because they both would like to have a more

competitive car and to have better situations and take the fight to

Red Bull. It is not easy for them to see another German driver sh

their colleague, winning a World Championship and leading this

Championship. That is it, trying to do the business in the home track.

What they would like an all-German podium. That what is we had with

British drivers two week ago at Silverstone. Well that was the GP 3

race. Lewis Williamson picked up a win at home and the Grandstands

were pretty full. That meant along with Dean Smith and Alexander Sims

it was a one, two, three for British drivers. So GP 3 is just

below Formula One. Will we see one of these faces in Formula One? Here

is Lee. I'm in the GP 3 paddock. The support races to Formula One.

And this is where you will find the Formula One stars of future. It is

fair to say it is less glamorous then F1. There is no luxury of a

garage in the pit lane. They use these awnings and they have to

bring the equipment over from here into the Formula One pit lane. But

it is worth it F you get the success, well no' who knows what

will happen. Alongside me three guys who got that at Silverstone.

Lewis women yapson first. You -- Williamson first. You won that race,

what was that like? Going in Sunday morning was special with the amount

of people there. Especially with my family and everything. I think

there was a few cheers when I went for the lead. I surprised them.

Hopefully I will get back. But the whole atmosphere and even after the

race, the amount of people that were there coming in the gate for

the F1 was amazing. You were third, but you were leading the

Championship. It is a big field and a competitive one, 30 cars. Yes, it

is a massive amount of competition. There is a lot of experienced guy

and young guys coming through. It is tough. You were second at

Silverstone. What do you think that does for not just your career, but

all of your years, -- careers. we have raced in different

Championships but now we are in GP3, all the best drivers are racing, so

when you get a win, or even on the podium it is crucial for yourself

and the Championship and for the team. You have got to be consistent.

It is hard in this Championship,y your car this morning, I suppose

you have to use the highs and lows as experienced for the further you

go up? Louis's car was getting worked on to the last minute in

China. Whenever you are struggling like we have under these cold

conditions, we are just trying to get the car right. Whenever the car

does not feel right for yourself, you feel you on missing those

attempts you need to get pole position. Alexander, your

qualifying did not go the way you wanted this morning but so -- but

just constantly finishing is what you need to do to maintain that

lead? To a certain extent but we are out to win and it is not just

about qualifying because there is only pole position that counts. It

is disappointing we are in seventh place, it is not a disaster but we

have had too many like that if I am almost. I desperately want a pole

position so it would make the race a lot easier. Were what can you do

from eight position? If we hold that, we will be on pole for

tomorrow and there is a massive opportunity. The main thing for me

is to get every opportunity and I feel we have been doing that the

best we can. I am improving every time and it is a great opportunity

to come to the circuit and race so I am grateful. You are racing after

the Formula One qualifying and again tomorrow. Formula One is

about -- is about a minute's walk but it is a longer journey in

reality. Good luck this weekend and throughout the season.

We will follow their progress with interest. With blue-sky and

sunshine, the weather is incredible act smack --! And the combined age

of those drivers is 67, to make you feel young! Thank you for reminding

me! Is it fair to say that the breadfruit of Formula One is much

more money dependent than in the 1990s? -- the breakthrough.

Arguably so because the cost is so much higher, half a million Euros

and 1.5 million euros for a GP two and that does not guarantee you a

place in Formula One. But great news for Great Britain that we have

great talent. In it was really good and if things go very, very well

for those boys, maybe one day they will end up in Formula One with a

World Championship and driving for one of the biggest teams. But even

if you end up at McLaren, it is not necessarily plane sailing. What is

going on with the team who have not won a constructor's title since

1988? Eddie has been having a look at it.

This is how we remember McLaren, a team at the front of Formula One

innovation and design. Dominating the sport, winning an extraordinary

since they last won the constructor's championships. This

is a keen eye so admired and then beat, what happened? -- I so

admired. Are they trying to be clever? In pre-season testing, they

were not competitive mainly because of their exhaust. Their decision to

scrap it and follow the Red Bull team was successful, Lewis Hamilton

finished second. But would they have been a greater force with

better testing? This is the third successive season this team has had

to play catch-up and when you play catch-up, you take more risks. Some

of their strategy calls have been hard to fathom. Jenson's Lake pit

stop in Turkey to. The wrong strategy today? Yes. Under fuelling

Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone was a necessary with little or no upside.

Having made a great start, he heard the words no racer wants to hear.

Your level of fuel saving is not enough, we need to do more to get

to the end of the race. Jenson Button was forced to make a third

stop at mine macro -- at Monaco and overtaking was almost impossible.

The race winner pitted just once. Another decision sought manner --

saw Lewis Hamilton sent out late at Monaco. A non-competitive time left

him in ninth position. Lewis Hamilton for sure he could have won

that and his frustration clearly showed. Why do you think you are so

magnetic to the stewards? It is because I am black! He showed more

signs of frustration last week blaming excessive sponsorship

commitments on the run-up to Silverstone. Make no mistake, this

now infamous fight -- Chad was a clear message to the team's.

Perfection with McLaren was an enormous -- was synonymous, but

that was in the past. Bad strategy and short for undersigned put on

pressure for the home of Grand Prix in front of legions of fans. Are

the wheels finally coming of Formula One's finest?

Martin, you have won two races this year, is it fair to say the wheels

are falling off McLaren? I think we have won the two and they were

great races, we are second in the World Championship 50 points ahead

of Ferrari who were second last year. We are not here to come

second but to win and so by our host and despite our high standards

it is not good enough, but we have had great wins. It is took early to

say the wheels are coming off. We can do better and we are committed

to making sure we win races this year. We want to win championships,

we are making it tough for ourselves at the moment.

Mathematically, it is still possible and we will keep pushing.

You are spreading yourself very thin, you are technically

supporting two other teams and have a very extensive role cop programme,

is that having an effect? -- is very extensive car programme. It is

very easy to find excuses. All the people with the Formula One team of

focused on trying to win. It is difficult to win and we have proved

that but we have had a great wins and great drivers and we are

focused here on going forward. It is tough. At the moment, there are

a lot of good funded a teams trying to win or so. We are second, that

is not quite a crisis. It is disappointing because we want to

win but it is a lot better than a lot of the teams here. When we take

up the option on Jenson Button? we were not discussed a driver's

contract. We have two great drivers and there is a lot of speculation

about them. I expect them to be in this key next year and if you ask

them, I think they would confirm that this weekend. They are

committed members of this team. There are cycles of performance we

do not like if we are not winning but we have to work hard and make

sure we get back to the front. is a yes, you are about to take up

the option? That is in refusing to answer the question! To earn into

Lewis Hamilton, how embarrassing was it in front of the paddock him

wandering off to see Christian horn at Red Bull? Not embarrassing. You

know what the paddock is like. We have drivers come and visit us. The

fact is that when we are on tour, despite the allusions to the

outside, we know each other and talk to each other. The fact is he

wants to win, we want to win. We have seen his frustration. He has

to some have control that a bit. All we do not want to change him,

he is a passionate driver and will always push to win and we do not

want him any other way. It great pleasure, as always, Martin. -- a

great pleasure. It sounds like Jenson Button will stay at McLaren.

You worked for nine years for that team, how hard is it to work out

when you employee lot of people working on two cars to work out

where the issues are and have to resolve them? You never know

exactly what downforce levels your competition are developing but if

you have a car going faster than yours, you have to presume it has

more horsepower. With this B-team 1,000 cap on the engines, it has to

be aero that is the dominant factor -- 8,000. That comes down to the

wind tunnel development and it is not down to one person. There are

hundreds of people involved in that development. And it is also down to

money and they are not short of that. You are now going to head off

to the commentary box and while David does that, Daniel Ricciardo

will be settling down for his second race weekend. 17 years after

David Coulthard was a rookie, he has been catching up with a man who

has high hopes of a successful career. So, Daniel, it must be

stressful for you, your second Grand Prix in Formula One? They

must be so much to taking working with a new team? There is. I

imagine it will get easier or less chaotic. I have got Silverstone

over with for the first weekend and not was five days. It was quite

event for on and off the circuit. Have you been on a simulator, have

you been doing something specifically for this weekend?

have had a busy scheduled these last few weeks and have not got on

the simulator. How can you say you have a busy schedule, you are a

Grand Prix driver, surely nothing is more important? What have you

been doing? Have you been having your hair done?! Unfortunately, we

have been red-carded and cannot go out on the track bike we would

normally do to talk about the challenges of the circuit. -- like

we would. But maybe you can talkers around it? I always found it two

and two quite difficult. You try and come out of turn one and bring

it back far right but if you go too far right, the camera drops away

and you have to find the balance. What about when you get further

round in turn five and six? I like to get carried away and into the

high speed and carry a bit too much in turn five and am not prepared

for it turns six. Guys will try it and make the time in the first part

of the corner and sacrifice it in the second and vice versa. Towards

the end of the lap, you have a straightforward chicane but there

is a lot of time to be gained on the brakes. The tightest chicane on

the circuit. You come from a high- speed and you brake Ocker Hill. You

can always brake later than you think. You normally would about

around 100 but you can always take it a bit further. So that is nice

to test yourself and brick macro as late as you can. With the chicane

commit you try and get the exit before the last corner, which is of

fun. I did not know you did not pronounced the last letter of your

name. It is hard for an Istrian or someone who is not English to say

it properly, the Italians can say it probably! Tell us something we

do not know about you. I have a lot of hobbies, outdoor sports, I do

not sit behind a computer or video game. I loved punk and rock music,

heavy stuff! That his TV gold! that is. And I am wanting dates

changed because I it am at the Reading Festival. I will tell Eddie

Jordan that you are into music and he will probably annoy you just

before you are driving the car! That is cool! Thanks, guys,

appreciated. If Eddie and Daniel are missing from the Belgian Grand

Prix, we will know where they are! And this is Narain Karthikeyan who

raced for his spaniel last season and has been asked to replace a

Jarno Trulli in Lotus. But at the end of practice, he slipped off the

track, not great for his confidence. How will get -- how will he gets

on? It is time to lose the seven slobbers cars, it is qualifying for

the German Grand Prix. -- slowest season tips into the second half,

it is qualifying day for round 10. And running hard down that see saw,

Fernando Alonso is taking the challenge to Red Bull. Closely

followed, we hope, by McLaren and Mercedes too. 600 metres above sea-

level in the Eifel Mountains, the Nurburgring is a test of skill and

accuracy. As ever split into three sectors. It is famous for its

changeable wee. Here. It is -- changeable weather here. It is cool

here. And we have just 14 degrees out in the air. And it's quite a

challenging track technically that awaits these drivers today. David,

you have been on pole position here. Put us behind the wheel. Well the

big challenge, it is at attitude, so you lose a bit of down force and

engine performance. A lot of undulation. The braking is key to

delivering a good lap time here. The main places for that, you are

pulling about 4.5G into turn one and turn seven, that is the hairpin

and then into 13. Which is an uphill braking at the end of the

lap. One of the challenges here. is not rain expected for Q1. Good

stuff there. Hearing from Daniel Ricciardo there. I was going to

finish on Martin saying the cool conditions is I think going to be

one of biggest challenges in qualifying, because of the

difficulty in getting the tyres to switch on. A very low track

temperature. The last time anybody else but a Red Bull driver was on

pole position is ten races ago in Brazil. Later last season when null

Ken Berg pulled that lap out in Brazil. -- Hulkenberg. Surely

Fernando Alonso has the best chance to spoil the Red Bull party.

off the back of that convictfully Silverstone, Fernando Alonso has

been on fire through practice sessions and he has looked

confident and he he got up close and personal with the Renault of

Petrov and the Mercedes of Michael Schumacher. It looked like he was

in a Grand Prix. He is a man who is fired up. So he is definitely the

closest challenger to Red Bull and looking to break their poll

position run. He looks confident. I don't think I have seen the Red

Bull drivers bs and there is Mark Webber, the man who dominated when

we last raced here two years ago, the German Grand Prix alternates

between the Nurburgring and Hockenheim. A look at the

constructors Championship. There is a long -- strong wind on the main

straight. It is a head wind that is helping us for the seventh. That is

good. And you will have a tail wind in turn 11 and maybe a bit in turn

13. Well it is interesting that the wind direction has changed from

pre-practice. What we find is a compromise between the ratios you

have when you have the drag reduction system system available

at all times, you only have it available for a short section of

lap. So there is a compromise between running the car slightly

into the rev limiter in qualifying to make sure that you have got some

space for deploying KERS and DRS during the Grand Prix that. Could

be a key element to this qualifying. Those gear ratios were decided last

night and you have to commit to them and you have to guess the wind

direction and where your straight line speed is going to be, relative

to the others and how much of that limiter you are prepared to use. So

Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were fastest in final practice. But

Fernando Alonso only did one flying lap and I don't think we saw his

full potential. So we think he will be right in the thick of the action.

The action starts now. Into the first part of qualifying, 20

minutes, the two Virgin raying cars of Glock and Jerome D'Ambrosio.

Quickly followed by Daniel Ricciardo for the Hispania team.

Daniel Ricciardo just inside the 107% rule. It is a mute point,

because as long as the car's reasonably pacey, the stewards have

been let they will in. With only 24 cars on the grid and it would only

be deployed as a rule if you had a new driver who had got his super

licence was didn't look like he was capable of handling the car on the

track. But there noise fear of these driver not being out. Rosberg

with a giepbl -- final good luck. It seems as if McLaren. Don't get

too close to the virn dges. -- Virgins they may have problems.

That is a warm up of tyres they will be talking about there. That

is good thinking by the engineer to think ahead of game. Yes but what

he has not seen is that lut has slotted himself in between the --

Vitantonio Liuzzi has sloteded -- slotted himself in between the two

Virgins already. You have to be careful you don't impede a driver.

You can't just be weaving around in front. The yellow marks, the soft

compound tyres, the options, are significantly faster than the whait

marked tyres, the medium tyres. as the track temperature gets

colding that gap increases. The tyres pirley have been developing,

they expect -- Pirelli have been developing are designed to work

around 30 degrees. So the temperatures haven't increased and

it could be more. It will make it critical for the mid grid teams to

be on the soft tyres. You can work all year to find one and a half

seconds in a racing car. All year and some. And yet you can bolt a

set of tyres on and it is time straight in your pocket. I think

I'm seeing something with Pirelli changing in the middle of year.

They're getting flak for tyres that appear to not last very long. There

is an advertising campaign by another tyre manufacturer in Italy

that is ridiculing them. I think they're evolving the tyres to last

longer and longer. The soft tairs here will do at least -- tyres will

do at least 30 laps. The medium tyre will last 100 laps. That is

best part of two Grand Prix. Pirelli are moving back to what we

used to have with Bridgestone. Whoever the company is you refer to

in Italy, it is a cheap shot to suggest that Pirelli don't know how

to make tyres that can go to distance. They have responded, as

we see a big lock up from Glock. These tyres do flat spot easy,

because of the nature of the construction. So he may be

expecting a bumpy ride down the start and finish straight. He goes

quickest, but he is the first one across the line. The times will be

down in the 1.31 and 32s. That is what we're looking at. He did 36.7

this morning that. Is nowhere near his potential. We're starting to

see some of the big gun out there now. Michael Schumacher on track.

Felipe Massa has done two fast sectors. Michael Schumacher has an

interesting line there. He always stays much tighter on the way in.

That is turn 6. He has always down that here. He has another trick at

turn 10 and 11. But Michael Schumacher's track -- a track he

knows well. The Mercedes was fast through that chicane. We saw

Rosberg have a trip across the gravel and Michael Schumacher

scooped up a big moment in practice. It seems they don't have the down

force and stability that say the Red Bull and Ferrari now have.

There is an uphill brake. You remember when Fernando Alonso

brake-test you'd there during the race when you were out thr for

McLaren? I remember it, it rained in the back of my millimetrery. He

went to the stewards -- my memory and he braked 30 metres earlier and

the stewards thought that was normal variation lap to lap. He

convinced him. Not only was he a great racer on the track. He was a

great politician in with the stewards. That was back in 2004.

Three metres might be a big variation. Michael Schumacher on

the medium compound tyre, reversing it into the sli cane and a corn

hear the he was involved in changing many years ago. We come

down to this first sector of the track. If I said, when did they put

this new first added, just a simple chicane that went straight down,

and added a big section. When would you say that was? Mid 2000s. It was

2002, how time flies. Nine years ago. It has given us a tremendous

braking down down -- zone down into turn one. So the DRS is on the back

straight. Jaime Alguersuari is fastest at the moment. Change that

to Mark Webber. He has done a 34.0. Just going back to the big braking

in turn one. I was surprised to read that is the heaviest braking

point. I would have believed it was the end of the lap into turn 13.

But they're Tuling -- pulling under 5Gers putting 122 kilograms of

pressure on the brake. It is like a sledge hammer hitting you on the

back of the head. Two driver said what hurt the most was your bottom,

your feet are so high in the cockpit now. You're working the

pedals from your backside as much as anything. And Lewis Hamilton

gets blocked by the... By Glock there. I don't think he will be

lapy about that. He has to back right out of it and Sebastian

Vettel crosss the line on a 33.1. Lewis Hamilton, despite being

compromised goes fastest with that. Rosberg starts his first flying lap,

proper lap any way. We're with Felipe Massa. He goes up into

fourth place. He has been near lay second shy of Fernando Alonso. --

he has been nearly a second shy of Fernando Alonso. Rest rest only

knows part of -- Paul di Resta only knows part of track here. This

whole section of five and six, he doesn't know that at all. In all

the years he was racing, he only knew the short track. But has not

held him back. Hulkenberg had his car in practice of the but he seems

to do best with limited track Sime time. -- limited track time. I

don't think he needs much time. If you look, within ten laps he has

been right there with his more experienced team mate. He is 7/2 up

on Adrian Sutil in qualifying. So eleven and a quarter minutes

remaining. It is Lewis Hamilton from Sebastian Vettel, Fernando

Alonso, Jenson Button, Felipe Massa, the only grid times that are set

here are from 18 through to 4. The rest are reset and they go through

to the next session. Rosberg then goes over the line with an ordinary

1.34.3. So we're looking at for a cut off point. You have got to get

well into the 36s to get yourself into qualifying. Heikki Kovalinan

is in there on 1.35.6. He has been pipped by Pastor Maldonado. And

this one will be significantly better. For these teams that would

expect not to be in the drop zone, this is a sighter for drivers, a

nice safe run. They will have three or four laps wrt of fuel and they

will be getting their eye in and getting a feel. But at the back end,

which the first one to drop out is Jerome D'Ambrosio. They have got to

run the options, the softest tyre. This is about getting everything in

the first part of qualifying. Rubens Barrichello only stayed 16th,

despite doing three personal best sectors. Is that the signs of

Williams being under pressure, as Lewis Hamilton barely stays on the

track in turns 10 and 11. The car is moving around a lot. He is

quicker through the middle sector. But he is pushing the limits of

tomorrow. Looking at the times from morning practice, Lewis Hamilton

had some understeer into the last corner. That will have cost and

performance and he will have lost time from start to finish. He is

second, Fernando Alonso has gone up slightly quicker. Were saw the gear

wing go down. As soon as they touch the brake pedal, the brink closed

down automatically. It is a question of how quickly the air

attaches to the wing. Sliding through the final quarter for

Jenson Button. His 199th Grand Prix. Sebastian Vettel is in fourth place

as he crosses the line at. Mark Webber... But it is so close in the

top five. And Michael Schumacher it again into the final chicane. That

is the one he helped to design. is off the circuit. Going back to

McLaren, Lewis Hamilton had oversteer in to turn 15 and Jenson

Button had definitely been a lot of understeered. Probably more than

driving style, a different set-up perhaps. Sebastian Vettel, I have

seen him two or three macro -- two or three times wandering around, he

has a cloudy face and does not look as comfortable as he was earlier in

the season. He thinks that Mark Webber is coming at him and

Fernando Alonso in the same team and McLaren is not far behind.

think he is frustrated. After Silverstone, he was asked to make

your team-mate cannot overtake you so do you come World Champion by

default? That is nonsense, but he is young and growing in the public

eye and I think he finds it frustrating that instead of

focusing on winning, he has to answer questions that frankly, he

does not want to get involved in. It is attributed to him, I did not

hear him say it, I just want a respectful team-mate. He does not

like having to fend off that situation. Mark Webber has

confirmed the team have told him they would have asked Sebastian to

lay off the back of him if the positions were reversed at the

British Grand Prix. Whatever may have happened, we know what did

happen. I think Sebastian Vettel feels... As said to Mark Webber is

today, the tyres look more and more durable. He said, to right, mate,

and it is playing into my hands! This is the track where he took his

maiden victory in 2009. He is fired up here and he will try to

capitalise on that. That is from pole position. The last four pole

positions Mark Webber has had, he has not gone on to win. He might be

happy with second today. incredible statistic this year is

he has let -- he has yet to read a single lap in this season.

Sebastian Vettel has led eight out of 10 this year, extraordinary

statistics. A bit misty, that will cost him on the run into turn 15,

Kamui Kobayashi. The worst nightmare is you try not to be

distracted by looking too much at the lap delta. But he will be

looking out of the corner and seemed he is adding as he goes

slack out of the turn. And you can never recover however hard you try

to get back the speed. So Rubens Barrichello is in the drop zone

along with Timo Glock and Narain Karthikeyan. What is that about?

Timo Glock get strapped for Narain Karthikeyan this season, what

message does that send out from the team? -- gets dropped. A would like

information, I would like to know if it is a financial commitment for

the contract of Narain Karthikeyan, he is bringing money to their Lotus

team. I do not know if he was guaranteed he would get to drive.

Timo Glock has been the last satisfied customer. He has not been

happy with the balance of this car. I think a lot is attributed to the

curve system, be offset breaking. We were talking -- we will be

talking to Narain Karthikeyan. And you can hear these noises. We have

gone back to pre- Silverstone settings. After all the shenanigans

around the British Grand Prix. He is coming against two cars and it

is very distracting. E brake are so late because of the gentle uphill

nature of that zone -- you break. And the concertina effect of the

slow corners. And Vitaly Petrov very wide in that corner, he has

not really been on top form lately. He is 5th at the moment. Has not

scored points for five races. And neither has Pastor Maldonado. Both

looking to get back on track. Narain Karthikeyan is 23rd at the

moment. Heikki Kovalainen... And it is still these drivers are in

trouble in the drop zone. And we are on board with Pastor Maldonado.

Personal best eight 10th Shire of the best. And they are out on soft

tyres so it does tell you Williams are not confident of clearing the

bar in qualifying one. You can assume Rubens Barrichello will be

doing the same. He is out now. Williams under pressure, 17th and

19th. Will they be the team today that really are the first big guns

to drop out? This is much better for Pastor Maldonado. And it is

indeed on those soft tyres that he goes for four. So we look at Rubens

Barrichello now. They had to use soft tyres. At least Nick Heidfeld

it gets comfortably through. Vitantonio Liuzzi is 22nd, can he

gets again in among that the Virgin Racing cars? What is Felipe Massa

on? Vitantonio Liuzzi goes 21st, ahead of Jerome d'Ambrosio. This is

a chance for Barrichello to use his soft tyres. And he goes 12, so the

rest under pressure. Felipe Massa has gone fastest. And he has used

up one of his three sets of soft tyres. This is a fight at the top

of the hill in turns 10 and 11. is only one-tenth down in this

sector, they have felt the need to take that 1.5 second advantage. His

team-mate, Adrian Sutil, after him. So Soft on the steering even when

he is having a moment. Very tight at the final corner. And he goes

5th, but he has sacrificed his set of those faster tyres. And you

think that is Nico Rosberg? Sebastien Buemi. And it is Nico

Rosberg under pressure. But I think he has finished his first sectors.

He is still on the move. Some money -- so Nico Rosberg in the drop zone.

And so it could be Kamui Kobayashi he will drop out. Both Williams

cars are being, Rubens Barrichello 16th. If Nico Rosberg finishes this

lap, he will be comfortably into the top 17. And he does indeed.

Still a second short, Nico Rosberg. And that is Rubens Barrichello not

going any faster but still has time to get another lap been as we watch

Ricardo -- as we watch Daniel Ricciardo. Narain Karthikeyan is up

into 20th place, a second behind his team-mate. Barrichello is

trying to get another whack in. So it is -- and a but lap in it. Kamui

Kobayashi pitted and lost the chance to go faster, he could be

the one to drop out. But we saw that work beautifully for Jaime

Alguersuari recently. Barrichello has given up on that lap because he

has been told Kamui Kobayashi has pitted and he is through to the

next round. Take a rest! They will go again in qualifying at two. So

now we have the answer as to who will drop out. Is there more to

come between the back markers? This is for honour at the back of the

grid. That is Jerome d'Ambrosio you are watching fighting like crazy

coming out of the hairpin. Driving as if his life depends on it. Be

chicane at the top of the hill and behind him. -- the chicane. Trouble

macro is a refugee from when Toyota left Formula One. -- Timo Glock. A

better Middlesex 84 Jerome d'Ambrosio. A 10 faster than his

team-mate. -- one-tenth faster. It is now about the Virgin Racing

teams. Vitantonio Liuzzi and Daniel Ricciardo on the back row of the

grid. And we watched the two cars for Virgin come over the line at.

Timo Glock remains 20th, just ahead of Narain Karthikeyan. -- just

ahead of stand-up. That was peculiar, he was driving against

the traffic avoiding the action of the gravel. I do not know the rules

on that. I should do! But under no circumstances should you be going

against the traffic normally. must absolutely never reverse down

the pit lane, but you are allowed to move away from a dangerous

position against the flow of the traffic. That is what they will say

they are doing, I guess. Vitantonio Liuzzi and Daniel Ricciardo almost

with identical times. Kamui Kobayashi the first man to drop out.

Timo Glock is waving. Well done, you managed to get just in front.

It is just so difficult to drive at the moment. He is not a happy

camper, is he? I do not know who he is waving that, certainly not his

team. He does not bother with the final chicane. A5 plays Greg

dropped for Vitantonio Liuzzi because he has had a change -- a

five place grid drop. That was very interesting. Timo Glock waving at

the German fans looking like the friendliest driver in the world,

but choosing to berate his team. He could easily say that now, very

unusual to do that. It was started off by his engineer speaking to him.

Maybe he should have waited until he got back also. He is clearly

unhappy with the car and that is not good going into his home Grand

Prix and he will need to change that tomorrow. Kamui Kobayashi,

disappointment and that was not the speed he wanted going out today. A

big disappointment. Issued blow for Sauber because they have gathered

points all the time -- a big blow. A big relief for forcing and Adrian

Sutil. -- for forced India. It will be interesting to see how that

unfolds in the second half of the season. Were keeping an eye on

Kamui Kobayashi because he has struggled in qualifying before --

we will keep an eye on. And his team-mate, Sergio Perez, he has

shown if you go slower, you can pick up points. I think the team

and not just the two drivers have been so interesting. I love

watching those drivers. But Sauber have brought their game up at a big

level and are fighting to maintain Chandhock. Give us your thoughts,

replacing Jarno Trulli. I don't get it. I do not know a race driver who

would willingly give up a chance to drive in a Grand Prix. Certainly as

big as the German Grand Prix. There is something that we're not being

told. My guess is he has been told to stand down. Hopefully we will be

able to find out for the people who should know. For me, it is a

strange one. To say he will stand down, if he gets a contract for

next year. Jarno Trulli is at a turning point in his career. We

don't know where it is going. outside the garage. Perhaps it is a

situation that he said give us another year's contract and he can

drive in India. No chance. Not a chance in the world. There is no at

person humanly born that would willingly get out of a Formula One

car. Career low point for Jarno Trulli? I fear. So Now back to the

commentary and David Martin, at the front the boys were toying with

each other. COMMENTATOR: Yes they have enough speed to get through

that challenge. Felipe Massa, well is he going to go 10-0 down to

Fernando Alonso in qualifying this year? Let's see what he can pull

out of bag. Of course, this next 15 minute session is only about losing

another seven drivers. We want to find the top ten to go into the

shoot out for ten minutes and then we will see what they have really

got and thousand front of the grid will look tomorrow. -- how the

front of the grid will look tomorrow. Track temperature still

22. It is a cool day here at the Nurburgring. Qualifying two begins.

15 minutes to sift out seven more who can't quite cut it on this

difficult track. And who do we think is under pressure? Williams

look like they they -- they be under pressure. And force India?

Yes each of the teams had to commit to running the softer option tyre.

Of the big teams it was only Felipe Massa. So Felipe Massa is on his

back foot already. So what are we say something if the drivers from

Williams, Toro Rosso and force India get into Q3 they have done a

sterling job. Yes or one of the others has had a mistake somewhere

around the lap. We have seen the teachs we would expect to go

through, the Ferraris, the Red Bulls, McLarens and Renaults. And

Mercedes. Kobayashi got through into the final part of qualifying

at Silverstone, well up on the grid, so did Pastor Maldonado and now

he's the first big gun out. We have said it, past performance is no

guarantee. That is the great challenge of Formula One. You go

the a number of different tracks, different tairs, different surfaces

and different track temperatures. If we had a 19-race season at the

same track, but going from March through to November, you would get

different results because of the different influences and track

performance. Felipe Massa tries to recover his situation by going out

on the soft tyres again. To try a - - to debt a -- to try to get a

second bite of Cher y and hope it is enough to get through to Q1.: he

has two more set of tyres available F he goes very wide, -- if he goes

very wide. He is running on the marbles to get the longest run. I

think the gain you get in top speed is not enough to justify getting

your tyres dirty. An interesting point. 700 meeters that pit

straight. It is a difficult turn two here and very wide. You sweep

in, turning, braking, down shifting, into three. Four is a one where you

can't go too wide. And then turn five and you have got a secret here.

You told me about it. That is not secret if I have told you. Well a

secret we have until you ten -- tell million os -- million of

people. You want to overspeed the entry. It is cambered in. You can

carry so much more speed. You want to be on the edge, or over the edge

and the track comes to you and the next corner is presented to you as

we see Felipe Massa getting wide out of turn ten and that big drop,

the circuit is right the way down hill into turn 12 and then this

claim into 13. The camber of the track, the track leans into the

corn we are you and makes you feel good, make you feel like Superman.

It wants to give you grip. It gives you the sensation of extra down

force. That is an interesting analogy. Felipe Massa crosses the

line with a 131.7. That confirm how durable these tyres are. We have a

different game hire and there is a suspicion that the teams may do two

runs, two very long runs on these yellow marked soft tyres and just

put the white marked medium tyres on for the last few laps. Because

they're so much faster and durable. They tested a new soft tyre

yesterday. We have seen Pirelli vo deuce different tairs, -- produce a

difference tyre. They tried a new soft tyre yesterday. We think it

will become the new mediums. You can see how Pirelli are moving this

forward in term of grip and durability. I hope they don't go

too far. Lewis Hamilton, soft tyres, open track. McLrn, Mercedes power,

all the skill you could hope to have. Let's see if he has got any

answer to the mighty pace of Fernando Alonso and what we expect

to see from Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton crosss the line now and

goes with a 1.30.998. He is in there. Lewis Hamilton, that is

right in there with Fernando Alonso. We haven't seen, we saw a 30. 9

this morning, that was the quickest so far. As Michael Schumacher, DRS

open and struggling to the keep the back under control. Just probably

didn't close that early enough and he goes fifth on a 32.8. That is

two seconds slower than Lewis Hamilton's time. Some of that was

last in the -- lost in the last corner. Sebastian Vettel with yet

another helmet design goes P2. Lewis Hamilton time is an

impressive time. He did a 31.5 this morning. So he is just over half a

second quicker. Sebastian Vettel, I have been trying to pronounce the

name correctly. He has been able to be slower than this morning. So

have McLaren found something in these conditions? Lewis Hamilton

certainly has. Sebastian Vettel is an Ell of a driver, but there is

only one L in his name. They have gone back to the other exhaust,

that is why they sound like a bag of nails in the slow corners. As

they cut the ignition back in the middle of corners, they are now

allowed to do again and Petrov goes P8. We're look fog tr top ten.

say bag of nails, I bought a bag of nails the other day Airth didn't

sound like a Renault. -- and it didn't sound like a Renault.

last time I'm going to say you have put out good analogy if you don't

pay me back. Can Mark Webber pay Red Bull back. He is four tenth

down on the soft tyres. So that doesn't sound like a bag of nails,

if it doesn't, I don't know what does. Lewis Hamilton is fastest,

Sebastian Vettel second, Fernando Alonso third, Jenson Button fourth.

Petrov is into the top ten. The charge to get into that top tennis

led by Paul di Resta, and Nick Heidfeld. It seeps to me that Lewis

Hamilton's first sector is significantly faster than anyone

else. That is a few slow corners, so McLaren is developing good drip.

-- grip. Mark Webber's gone fourth. Why are you buying nails? I think

it sound more like a broken trumpet. Have you played a broken trumpet?

Michael Schumacher then... Well just sort of, well that is the one

we saw. I think that was, I think he... That was ass - eas his rear

wing reattached. It lasted a day. He said he has made a mistake.

looks as if he is having to fight the balance of car. I'm not shoor I

would be taking -- sure I would be taking full responsibility for that.

We have seen Michael Schumacher with the quick brake adjuster for

nearly every corner. And of course if you're, we have heard with this

Mercedes rear wing, we have heard them talking about it, that when

they close the DRS they have not always, depending on wind direction

and other things, it does not always reattach and give the down

force back. Yes, that is how the wing works. When it opens up the

slot garnings it it detachs the airflow and reduces the drag. The

time it takes the reattach, as we have a fantastic view on the back

of Jaime Alguersuari's car. For whatever reason, it seems to take

them longer. Five and a half minutes remaining in the drop zone.

Adrian Sutil, and Pastor Maldonado. They haven't got a time on the

board. Jaime Alguersuari is trying to do something about that now. It

helps them save tyres if they only do one run and they can recover

their position, having had to clear the bar in the first part of

qualifying. Just five cars on the track at the moment. Who do we

think at the front? As Jaime Alguersuari only 15th there with

that effort. And backs off immediately. So what do we think

the cut off time, if you were out there, David, what would you be

comfortable not having to go out again with. What time? I think that

from hide felt in eightth you have got toy say there is a six tenth

kpwap, -- gap. So hue. Has'' -- so shau. Has to go again. -- Michael

Schumacher. Everyone from Rosberg down has to go again. You see on

your screen seventh down. I wonder if the top six will feel, Rosberg

leaves the pits as we say that. I wonder if the top six will feel

comfortable enough to just hold on and watch the action. Pastor

Maldonado for Williams then. A personal best first sector, but it

is eight tenth shy of what Lewis Hamilton did in the first half

minute of his lap. Down at the hairpin. Plenty of understeer.

Let's see if he is flat out. No not quite. He had to just have a

confidence hold. It wasn't a full lift, was it? That muscle on the

back of your legs connected to your brain, not your heart. I remember

when I was driving for McLaren we set the software for qualifying,

even if I lift all the throttle 10% it would keep the barrels open 100%.

Even if I thought I was lifting, I was flat through the corner. Those

are the tricks you could get up to. Sports psychology at its best. I

have got to lift the throttle, but don't let it do anything when I do.

Just under three minutes remaining. Pastor Maldonado gets himself in to

Q3 at the moment. That is a very fine effort, as we suggested before

this session started. If anything could do that in those cars, Perez

has two personal bests so far and just the chicane and the final

corner to go for him. Michael Schumacher's back out there. He is

11th. Perez, who just seems to be getting back on terms with this

saub irand the 2011 season. Can he slot himself inside that top ten

and put others under pressure? Perez goes, stays 13th. He is

outside the top ten. Rubens Barrichello stays 13th as well. How

close is that. You would find he could find 0.168. You can't believe

how hard it is to find two tenths of a second in 3.3 miles. Paul di

Resta is within a tenth and a half under neath the target time to get

speed. Has Paul di Resta Done enough? He has! Others are still on

the track. Michael Schumacher and Adrian Sutil are two examples of

who could still spoil his day. But he is through at the moment. Nico

Rosberg is out, so is Nick Heidfeld. Pastor Maldonado still in tenth

place. It is about Michael Schumacher and Adrian Sutil from

what I can see as to who can disrupt the current top 10. Michael

has had an average middle sector so he will have to deliver a good end.

He has done it! He is up to eight position. Adrian Sutil is flying.

For forcing. One more corner to go -- for forcing. And he could spoil

the day for his team mate. And Adrian Sutil in seventh place, Paul

di Resta Is out. Vitaly Petrov still on track and pushing hard.

Did he gets over the line before the flag? He did because it is not

out yet, 10 seconds to go. We are watching the Russian, Vitaly Petrov.

He is on the A3 race streak for not having scored. -- points. The back

end of the Renault complaining but delivering enough grit to charge

down the hill. And he is underneath the top time. And Nico Rosberg is

improving his time, so it is Nick Heidfeld. Vitaly Petrov could put

his team-mate, Nick Heidfeld, out of the top 10. And where he -- and

where is he? He goes through, he is eightth. -- she is eight. -- he is

8 ft. And Nico Rosberg gets right into the thick of the action. It is

only to sort out the top 10 and he has probably used another set of

tyres. Personal best first sector for Rubens Barrichello. Sergio

Perez did not improve and stays in 15th place. This is the last shout

of the session and Rubens Barrichello estates in 14th. 13th

and 14th for Williams. In sterling effort from Adrian Sutil. So Nick

Heidfeld goes out, Paul di Resta, Pastor Maldonado for Williams,

Rubens Barrichello for Williams. Sir -- Sergio Perez, Sebastien

Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari will start to race in 17th place. And into the

top 10. We will see on track again. Michael Schumacher by three

hundredths of a second over Nick Heidfeld. Nick Heidfeld it is not

through in 11th place. For macro of the six German drivers are in the

pole position shoot-outs are plenty to get excited about for the home

fans. Sergio Perez is not one of them, but it was a great qualifying

session. The team set you a will to live by in qualifying, to be within

his second of your team-mate, and congratulations you did it -- set

you a will. A high have never driven on those tyres so a lot to

learn that -- I have never. I was one-club five seconds away

yesterday evening and I was told before qualifying, get within a

second and you should be proud. It was all right but a lot different

to last year! When we first informed by the team you would be

driving here? At was told there was a good possibility I would do some

races this year and I knew a good possibility was this weekend.

Duke explained to us the reasons for it happening? -- could you

explain. It would be nice to know how Jarno Trulli feels about not

being here because he is an elder statesman. I know from last year it

is a terrible feeling watching your car with somebody else. It is tough

for him but he will be back for Budapest. For me, it is in one off

and we will wait and see. Pastor Maldonado is with us, you start the

18th on the grid for tomorrow, good and bad news. You were quicker than

you team-mate and that is what it is about in Formula One. It was

very difficult in the season and especially yesterday during the

practice. We had a lot of problems especially with the set-up. But we

find a better balance in the car today so we were a bit more

aggressive and able to do some good laps. A bit disappointing but we

were so close at the end. And in front of my team-mate. It would be

a difficult race tomorrow, I will do my best and let's see what we

can do. A do you think the upgrades for the car are coming quick enough

and are they what you want? Especially because of this kind of

track which has very slow corners and hairpins, we have not shown

performance like in the past and Silverstone with quick corners.

That penalised us quite a lot. Now we are still working on

understanding a bit more for the strategy and everything for the

race. I think it will be possible this time. Good luck, enjoy the

race tomorrow. And we just want to have a little look, can you explain

why your team-mate was going to pack -- was going the warrant --

was going the wrong way around the track? It is better to do that and

do more damage to the tyre. I struggled a lot, we have used

different material with Lotus. Choosing the right gear up on low

fuel, not exactly confident yet with the low fuel option tyres.

Jarno Trulli was very critical of this car particularly with the

steering and the power steering, have you had problems with it?

had a problem with a bowler -- we had a problem and Valencia. I am

quite happy with it. It is not perfect and it needs changes. I am

in the simulator on Monday to do more work on it. It is not too bad,

to be honest. You are are not interested in coming out of the cot

all year long, you want to be there full time, it is this an audition

to drive at the Indian Grand Prix? Ask Tony! And know your answer!

would love to do it, of course. Nobody wants to beat a reserve

driver, and want to be back racing. -- want to be. What can you do in

the race? The weather looks a bit English at the moment! Stay deep!

Do not say Irish! That is not much better! We already have a

competition between here and Silverstone, Silverstone just wins

at the moment. We will see. What we are hoping for is a great pole

position shoot-out so time to hand back to David Coulthard and Martin,

what can we expect from this session?

I think we can expect very close action and it is interesting Lewis

Hamilton is right in it. But I do not think we have seen the ultimate

pace. What do you think about from Road, David? Going into this

qualifying session, I thought it was a question of Fernando Alonso

or the two Red Bulls. But that first set of performance from Lewis

Hamilton is significantly quicker than anybody else and if he can

hold on for the rest of the lap, he might have a shot at the front row.

I would be amazed if he could get hold but he is an amazing driver.

We have a four way shoot-out. Jenson Button was a bit behind but

the balance of his car looked significantly different, didn't it

in the sister McLaren? We are now looking for the top 10. It is a 10

minute session. And it begins now, qualifying three for the German

Grand Prix tomorrow afternoon. There is a man who is famous in

Germany, the motor sport boss for Mercedes-Benz. And he has got two

cars in the top 10 shoot-out. Michael Schumacher got into tenth

position. Nico Rosberg absolutely flying, so much like his Dad in

that shot when he was younger. I raced against his Dad a lot.

talking to him about his father and his influence, he said his Dad just

let him get on with it now. He has delivered him to Formula One and it

is down to him. He has also confirmed he will not be growing a

moustache like his father despite sporting a bit of stubble! For

those interested in facial hair! And queue for that! Sebastian --

thank you for that! Sebastian Vettel imagining himself in pole

position, he has not finished in pole this year. He has had seven

victories, six victories and three second places. He has not even been

inferred, let alone off the podium. Fernando Alonso has been driving

the wheels of that Ferrari from the first lap he did in practice. He's

so fancies a shot of these Red Bulls in the second half of the

season. He was just doing an extra stop in the run-up to turn 10.

Getting extra heat in the breaks. Break temperature gets up to 1,000

degrees and it radiates into the wheel and that is a great way to

get the right temperature and pressure. You do not want to use

the tyres too hard when they are low pressure before they are up to

the temperature you need. He wants to get on the throttle five or six

metres earlier and be faster. very interesting that both Ferrari

drivers do that. Somebody in circuit simulation has obviously

calculated there must be one-tenth in that to take the risk of running

wide, but you do not see anybody else doing that. But they have the

same image we do, so let's see if they do that. It does not matter

how slow you are through that last corner, it does not count. Maybe

they can get the car straighter earlier. It is a bit like staying

right in Canada to save a few metres of track. But this is about

maximum acceleration. So Ferrari with a nice little trick to get a

flying start to a flying lap. Lewis Hamilton has done a 29.9 first

sectors. He is delivering those great corners you were talking

about, David. And Mark Webber has been super-fast in the final part

of a lack. -- the final part of the lap. So Fernando Alonso is at the

front. Sebastian Vettel about to start. Alonso will be setting a

representative lap time first, followed by a Vitaly Petrov and

Jenson Button. Fernando Alonso's benchmark is fractionally faster

than that Lewis Hamilton went in qualifying two. And this is what he

can do in three. Super Keighley on the power. And Lewis Hamilton has

done it! Lewis Hamilton 8 10th faster than Fernando Alonso. And we

wait to see what Fernando Alonso says about that. Mark Webber faster

in the first section. Look at that middle sector, Mark Webber is up on

Lewis Hamilton's time. One corner to go for Mark Webber. Will he be

on pole position again here at Nurburgring? His car looks to have

the poise and balance he would need. And Mark Webber goes fastest! And

Sebastian Vettel has not beaten his first or second sector time. Mark

Webber is the man getting it done at the moment. Sebastian Vettel has

a chance to still be quicker in the final sector but a half second gap

between Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel crosses

to go. We haven't seen Michael Schumacher, rest Berg or Adrian

Sutil. They're saving tires. -- Rosberg, or Adrian Sutil, they're

saving tyres. Mercedes save again. What is interesting, on board with

Mark Webber, or outboard with Mark Webber. How much road he was using

on the way into that chicane. He has supreme confidence on the

brakes. That is whey McLaren are strong with Lewis Hamilton, he is

delivering the lap time. It is all about confidence as you go tev e

heavy on to the brakes in turn one. It looks like Lewis has got his

Mojo back. I think front row will be a bit too much for him. But that

first run from Fernando Alonso has not delivered. Now, what is that

all about? Way slower than we thought. Six tenths off. As Felipe

Massa, Jenson Button, pits, Rosberg goes out. And we have three and

three quarter minutes remaining. It is Mark Webber from Sebastian

Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso. Fernando Alonso has been

half a second Quigger than Felipe Massa through practice and he is

now only just a tenth quicker. So let's presume he can deliver

another tenth. It is not enough for pole, but it may vait the two red -

eseparate the two Red Bulls. I hope we get to see them go again. It

would be incredible. What we're seeing is Rosberg and Michael

Schumacher and Adrian Sutil choosing the quiet moment to go out

and do their one rub. -- run. They know they have got a better chance

of finding clear air if they don't find a lot of drivers on the out

lap. The top seven will surely go again. Red Bull, if they feel they

won't be challenged, then as a team you could say, we have got the

front row, let's keep our options for the race. I doubt that will

happen when you have two highly motivated racers, who want to be on

pole. It is not a track, it is an interesting point, get down to

first corner first and then call the strategy later on. It is not

track that has been successful for pole sitters here. Mark Webber

leaves the pits. Sebastian Vettel has not at the moment. Lewis

Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are out there. As is Petrov. Jenson

Button leaves the pits we hear. I think we will see all ten cars on

the track. Sebastian Vettel is leaving the pit. So three of them

will be on a hot lap. While seven of them are getting up to speed.

Fernando Alonso's got himself a clear piece of race track ahead of

him. They jockey themselves, trying to get clear air. We have ten of

ten on the race track. There is a good point about Fernando Alonsoers

he has got himself a huge amount of clean air. Lewis Hamilton is behind

Rosberg and he is going to have to back out of that. If rest Berg has

an issue thashes could affect -- Rosberg has an issue, that could

affect Lewis Hamilton. Both McLarens are going to be staring at

the back of Mercedes. Michael Schumacher has had a tardy first

sector. It is almost as if they're bringing the tyres in a bit before

they go for it. Or they're not comfortable the amount of space

they have in front of them. Rosberg has backed off and gives himself,

that was a wider turn into the final corner. Rosberg now then

starts his lap. That was a 35.5, some five seconds off the pace.

That heavy braking zone, it is quite a dip down into the apex of

turn one. Let's check Fernando Alonso's time, 29.9 a better lap

for Fernando Alonso and Ferrari as he heads down the hill to the

hairpin. Webber has been even faster in the first secondor. There

is a 9.831 seconds for him. This is closer for Fernando Alonso. Just

hanging on to the racing line through the chicane. Lewis Hamilton

has done a 29.7 first sector. That is flying. He is third at the

moment. This is an all mighty scrap between Mark Webberer, Vettel, and

Hamilton to see who can be on the front row. Fernando Alonso still a

tenth shy of pole that. Would put him only third on the grid. Mark

Webberer's still flying out there. I don't think there will be enough

to spoil Red Bull's day, unless it is a mighty final sector. Fernando

Alonso stays third. Still two tenths off pole. Mark Webber comes

around the final corner and does a 30.0. He is three tenths up on

Sebastian Vettel. Sebastian Vettel is still out there. And so is this

man, Lewis Hamilton. The final corner of the lap and can he get

back in front of Fernando Alonso? Lewis Hamilton fourth at the moment.

He crosss the line and he goes second. He has split the Red Bulls.

Just a tenth off pole. Lewis Hamilton, a brilliant lap.

Sebastian Vettel's the is the man we're has beening at. Jenson Button

gis him -- Sebastian Vettel is the man we're looking at. Jenson Button

gives him some. He will barely be able to split Mark Webber and Lewis

Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel is only third. The Championship leader. He

starts on the second row of the grid alongside Fernando Alonso,

Felipe Massa is fifth. Rosberg is sixth. Jenson Button is only

seventh. Michael Schumacher does his best time. And he starts the

Grand Prix in tenth place. There were mighty laps from Mark Webber

and Lewis Hamilton. The confidence they were carrying in the braking

zones, you can see it in first and last sectors. That is it Mark. P1

pole position. Great job. That was a good lap. Well done. Great job.

He has been looking confident all weekend. But sure think lap of the

day is Lewis Hamilton isn't it? Well I think we have got two men

that deserve that honour. That is a mighty lap from Mark Webber off the

back of Silverstone and the frustration and an incredible lap

from Lewis Hamilton. He found the confidence in that car in the

braking zones and he has shown everyone what he can do when he has

the car below him. That was a good lap. That was a wicked lap. With

Jenson Button a second behind him tharbgts was much more than a good

lap or a wicked lap. An extraordinary lap. He was saying

yesterday I have no chance of pole. But I think we have got good race

pace. Even Lewis Hamilton recognises that as one of his finer

efforts. To sprit the Red Bulls. -- split the Red Bulls. Mark Webber

had enough speed when it mattered and he starts again from pole

position here. He was on pole in Silverstone two weeks ago. He is 80

points behind Sebastian Vettel and he is doing his best to recover

that. But Fernando Alonso, four tenths shy of pole. He will be

saddened by that I would imagine. Not looking forward to hearing

Jenson Button's intervie in seventh eher. -- either. So we have four,

as Jake said, four of the six German drivers in the top ten. For

their home Grand Prix. And look at the smile on Lewis Hamilton's face.

That was a wicked lap, he said. And he will start the Grand Prix

tomorrow with nobody in front of him from second on the grid. And

the man who his right, Mark Webber, is on pole. That is what we have

been waiting for all season. A proper fight for pole. The fight

being take on the Red Bull. First and second being split by 500ths of

a second. Mark Webber with a fantastic lap. But Lewis Hamilton,

I don't know where you put the best lap. It was not Sebastian Vettel,

despite being close to pole. Mark Webber or Lewis Hamilton, driver of

the day? EDDIE JORDAN: They were both different. But it cops down to

Lewis Hamilton. He didn't give himself a chance and what has he

done? Delivered. This was one of finest qualifying laps I have seen

him do in a long time. There is two happy men. This is Sebastian

Vettel's home coming as world champion and for the Fir time this

season, he doesn't start - e- first time his season he doesn't start on

the front row. Let's hear from Jenson Button. We didn't see too

much of your lap. Did you pull out of that? Yes. I couldn't find any...

Any grip out there. I really struggled, this morning the car

felt good. But this afternoon, yeah, I mean, I had too much front end

and we took some front wing out. It gave me understeer and didn't MEP

the rear of the car. -- help the rear of the car. It is very vaing

not to find the grip. So be in seventh is surprising and pg behind

Lewis Hamilton, something is not right. Will you do a rain dance

tonight? Yeah, I mean I have to do something, because the pace isn't

there. And the frustrating thing is it was this morning. The car felt

good. I don't know where it's come from. That is a disappointed driver.

We will find out what happened with the weather. Remember what happened

when it rained and Jenson Button grabbed a victory. Now we're joined

by Paul di Resta. Only the third time this season your team mate has

been ahead of you. How was it for you? Very difficult. We didn't

improve enough from practice into qualifying and lacking just grip

all round. Not any individual balance problem, not a mistake,

just gradual lss of time. Talk us through this. You head into the

tight complex of the first sector and I did get to the apex. This is

quite a tricky corner. You have to get close to the exhibit curb. Your

leading into the sector which I hadn't driven until this weekend.

So over the weekend I have been trying to build myself up and get

confident on the brakes. And really just maximise it as much as

possible. But Adrian Sutil has shown the car has more potential.

These two upgrades and your own showing at Silverstone, it must

give you a lot of hope for the future with this car? Yes the car,

yesterday I was happy the car. We didn't make much changes and the

temperature has changed, the wind's increased. But we did make a few

things, but nothing you would expect to make such a difference. I

wasn't happy today. All the debriefs we have done has shown

that. This is your lap that meant you start 12th. Now the race, we

saw a bit of a collision in man Coe and some frustration, a penalty and

-- Monaco and some frustration and in Canada you didn't have race you

hope. What can you do to have the perfect day on the Sunday, because

two weak ago we saw the perfect day on the Saturday. Well one thing I

will say we have compromise fodtr race tomorrow. Have I give an race

performance recently. That is the direction we have took. Your

decision was that? It was a team and engineer decision. It helped

yesterday. I hope that carries O'over. But we're in a good

position. We're 12th and it is a long race. As we have seen

different strategys can make a big difference W the weather not being

as straight forward as it looks at the moment. How big an issue is it

with yourself and Sauber, you're fight for fifth. Is that your

focus? Yes the team came in with ambitions we have to beat our

opposition and they're in the midfield. It is closer than it is

up front for the top guys. It is a fights, but you're in the middle of

pack and you have to Keck e keep your eyes on the front -- keep your

eyes on the front. Thank you good luck tomorrow. Paul starts 12th

tomorrow. Nico Rosberg starts sixth. Sixth for tomorrow. How do you feel

about that? It is OK. It shows that we're starting to work better and

things are hopefully coming good a bit. I think here we have done a

step. Everyone has has done. But we have kept the gap the same. So it

is going in the right direction. Sixth is a good place to start.

race or wet race, which would suit you in. It doesn't matter. So going

in the right direction. Ahead of his team mate. He should be happy.

Both drivers in that team say they're quicker than their teem

mates, I don't understand that. But we will soon fine out. But the

weather will play a major part tomorrow. Can Nico Rosberg go

further forward? He has some fast teams in fronts of him. Felipe

Mercedes and McLaren, how do you feel? It is better to start in

front of everybody! So we are in fourth and 5th. So Red Bull is very

strong, McLaren also in a good place. We shall be ready for it

tomorrow and maybe it is raining so we need to be ready for everything.

We will wait and see the situation for tomorrow. It was not fantastic.

But let's concentrate on tomorrow. And he needs to because while his

team-mate was picking up a win at Silverstone, no podium yet this

year for Felipe Massa. We have been waiting, we really want to see him

do well. I want to see him do well and it is still not there yet. I do

not know why. He has to deliver and you start doing that very soon all

the questions will start, it is he going to get a drive next year?

the first time this season, it is time for the drivers press

conference with Sebastian Vettel in third place. What a battle between

Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton. Let's hear it from all three now.

Pole position, Mark, for the second Grand Prix in a row and the second

here. Is it something about this track? Performance has been getting

better in the last few races and this track seems not too bad for me

in the past. The session went pretty well, a big section in

qualifying two was not very smooth but the other two windss were good

and the boys did a good job. -- the two laps. We recovered well and got

it together. At the end, I thought, if somebody gets me, they deserve

it because I could not have got much more out of it. It was my

remit. It was a good lap and very satisfying to see nobody get cheap

at the end because it is anxious for 30 seconds. Mock, the newly got

you after your pole position lap. - - Mark. You just missed out, in a

wacky described was as good as it gets. A big congratulations to my

team for a fantastic effort. We have had so many upgrades this

weekend and throughout the week, a constant push to bring improvements

to our engine modes which have helped massively. I definitely

underestimated how good the car would be wrong we fell -- when we

ran out of fuel. But Black was beautifully flowing and it felt

fantastic. -- but the lap. It was one of the happiest and most

comforting laps I have had, it was incredible. It is a good step for

us. So Bastian, two drivers but smiling. -- Sebastiaan. But the

first time for you you have not been in a front row, how much of a

disappointment his third? He it is not a disappointment. I would like

to be further up but it was tough. We had a very good recovery

yesterday. I did not find my way and find the balance with the car.

This morning, it was much better through qualifying. Maybe we should

have been quicker, but there was not much... Gillet will bit here

and there, but the most important is I have a better feeling for it

today -- a little bit. Looking forward to tomorrow. If it is drive

we have a good chance, but it might not be the case, so we will see --

if it is dry. We are here in the Eifel Mountains, it has a micro-

climate. But what will the weather do and can Mark Webber turn pole

position into a win? Lewis Hamilton will be fighting him into that

first corner with Sebastian Vettel are starting third. Then the two

Ferraris and Michael Schumacher scraping into the top 10 for

qualifying. Take plenty for the German fans to be excited about but

not the result at the front they wanted. David Cummings you enjoyed

that from the commentary box, Mark Webber or Lewis Hamilton for the

lap of the day? I think Lewis Hamilton because of where he has

come from. He has had such variation with that car that he has

felt it is underneath him and then he has been able to deliver. And he

was mighty in this sector of. He makes full use of the mechanical

grip the car was able to give him. And that was important that he was

so quick in that sector. He was almost three times slower in the

middle sector. What has to be understood is when you put in place

what he did and how he qualified at Silverstone, mirror image of what

we are looking at here, at the turnaround has been awesome and

McLaren keep doing this. They are confusing us. They are confused

themselves! If they knew what unleashed these performances, they

would be doing more than that. A combination of things have come

together here. Through that she came towards turn 10. His remarks