Moving down the grid, the ever-improving McLaren will hope to maintain their impressive form in Germany. Their resurgent season after, quite frankly, years of underachievement can be pinned on a German phrase; Kleinvieh macht auch Mist – small amounts add up to something bigger. Perhaps Ferrari could take this advice. It would even be good advice for Renault, or any other underperforming giant of the sport (there’s hope for you yet, Williams).

So, will any team dethrone Mercedes at their home race, a track that they were so successful at last year? Their dominance seems to be unrelenting and unending. Of course, we’ll see what happens this weekend, but remember: Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei – everything has an end, only the sausage has two. I think that is some appropriately German inspiration.

Home Driver Watch

Everyone will be glued to Sebastian Vettel this weekend. The German believes his Ferrari team are in a “strong position” to challenge this weekend, and his first practice performance suggests that he is out to prove doubters wrong as he led a Ferrari one-two. Let’s not get carried away, it is just practice.

Nico Hulkenberg will also be hoping for a strong performance in his native country. The Renault driver has seventeen points in the 2019 season, five points behind teammate Ricciardo. Can the Hulk do it at home?