With five German drivers, the German team of Mercedes, Mercedes engines equipping several other cars, the Sauber team based in German-speaking Switzerland and the Red Bull and Toro Rosso teams under Austrian ownership, it would appear that the German-language influence in Formula One is second only to that of English as the leading culture of the paddock.

But as the series prepares for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim this weekend, the German example serves as the best illustration of how truly international the series is. With the Olympics and World Cup soccer as the only other sports events reputedly higher in global popularity than Formula One — but happening only ever four years and not every two weeks — the racing series is diametrically opposed in style in its international make up and appeal.

There are no national teams — although Ferrari comes close in Italy — and while drivers usually garner support in their home countries and sometimes — as with Fernando Alonso of Spain or Michael Schumacher of Germany — are responsible for turning their countries into those with the biggest fans bases, the cultural and ethnic mix in Formula One is more melting pot than mosaic.

The Mercedes team is based not in Germany but in England. The Mercedes racing engines are also built in England, at a different site from the team. The Swiss team, Sauber, based in German-speaking Hinwil, Switzerland, has the highest percentage of native German speakers on staff, with a little more than half, but the other 45 percent are of 20 nationalities.