1988 German Grand Prix

Championship standings

McLaren has won all eight rounds this season. At Silverstone, Gerhard Berger secured the only pole position of the season that has not gone to a McLaren driver — a rare sign of Ferrari’s potential on a faster circuit.

Between-race developments

Williams has announced that Thierry Boutsen will replace Nigel Mansell for the 1989 season. Boutsen’s arrival changes the pre-qualifying picture: Andrea de Cesaris’s Rial, following a fourth-place finish at Detroit, has been promoted out of pre-qualifying into the main session. Nicola Larini’s Osella is relegated to pre-qualifying in his place.

Weather

Thunderstorms have hit Hockenheim all weekend. Rain stopped on Sunday morning, leaving uncertainty over tyre choice for the race. Every driver opts to start on wet tyres — except Nelson Piquet, who gambles on the track drying out and starts on slicks.