2006 German Grand Prix

Championship standings

Schumacher has now won three of the last four races, cutting deep into Alonso’s lead. The Renault’s advantage is still substantial but the momentum has swung.

Previous race

Schumacher won in France for the 88th time in his career, becoming the first driver in Formula One history to win the same Grand Prix on eight occasions. Alonso finished second despite losing time behind backmarkers. Massa was third before dropping to fourth at the final round of stops, with Ralf Schumacher inheriting fourth after Trulli retired.

Between-race developments

The mass damper controversy arrives at Hockenheim. After the French Grand Prix, the FIA announced the tuned mass damper system used by Renault contravened the technical regulations — the devices are fitted in the nosecone and help keep tyres in contact with the track. The FIA has now appealed their own stewards’ decision at this race weekend, with stewards having ruled the system legal on Friday. Renault withdrew the system after Friday practice to avoid further sanctions, pending the appeal outcome.

Entrants

Super Aguri’s third driver Sakon Yamamoto replaces Franck Montagny for this race, making his Formula One debut. Montagny takes over the third driver role from Turkey onwards.

Practice

Williams’s Alexander Wurz led the first Friday session. BMW Sauber’s third driver Robert Kubica topped the second. Christian Klien at Red Bull was quickest in the Saturday session.