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Dieter Rencken – Hockenheim blog
July 23, 2012
Hockenheim evokes thoughts of Mercedes, for the circuit was built back in the 30s as a test track for the Three Pointed Star, then as now based in Stuttgart – approximately 100 kilometres south of the circuit.
As such the German company always stages memorable events at grand prix time, with the media over the years having toured the AMG works, seen how Unimogs and Smarts are built, and been instructed on advanced driving techniques at the circuit’s safety and driving school. In 2009 my instructor was DTM star Susie Stoddard (now Wolff), who was recently appointed test driver for Williams.
This year the company hosted the entire paddock to a five-star barbeque in the shadow of the enormous Mercedes grandstand on Thursday, with ‘entire’ being the operative word: drivers, team bosses, engineers and sponsors mixed and mingled with VIPs and media members in a relaxed environment, with the finest in food and wine fuelling the relaxed atmosphere.
I sat at a table with Mercedes motorsport boss and Chinese Grand Prix winner Nico Rosberg, with the main topic of discussion being the FOTA Fan Forum hosted by Mercedes in Stuttgart the previous evening – with four of Germany’s five stars fielding questions from fans, and double reigning champion Sebastian Vettel being conspicuous through absence.
Present were Michael Schumacher, Timo Glock and Nicos Rosberg and Hulkenberg; the quartet spending over an hour answering fans’ questions and later signing autographs. One of the most incisive questions was posed by a young boy, who addressed Hulkenberg as ‘Mr Hulkenberg’, then proceeded to ask the former Williams driver whether he had been upset when Sir Frank’s team ‘threw him out’.
We all know Nico’s option for 2011 was not taken up despite a sensational pole in Brazil the previous year because Pastor Maldonado came knocking with a vast bag of Venezuelan bolivars, so the 10-year-old’s comments sure raised a chuckle both on- and off-stage. A translation of the event transcript can be accessed at www.fota.co/events.
Although weather forecasters mainly predicted coolish, dry skies throughout the weekend, some were not as optimistic. Come Friday, as the hard work started so, too, did incessant rain, making it all the more difficult for F1 personnel, particularly after similar conditions in Silverstone a fortnight ago. When it rains most folk stay indoors, making interviews difficult, but per chance I had arranged a one-on-one with Nico H, and complimented him on the way he handled the question graciously (‘Certainly a bit, thank you for putting it that way…’)
The Force India driver, who sat out 2011 as third driver for the team, smiled before commenting: “I can just imagine it – kid sits in front of TV, watches race and notices I’m not there. He asks his father ‘why’. Daddy responds with a throwaway line…
While we were chatting I heard cars thrashing around the track, and soon the reason became clear: Hockenheim has a tradition of staging what they call ‘RaceTaxi’ – VIPs, guests and prize winners taken for rides around the circuit by drivers. Nico was due to go for a stint shortly so we had to wrap up, but not before I was offered a taxi ride with him. Sadly I had to decline as I had other commitments, but accepted a ride for the following day with current Force India tester Jules Bianchi, he of the famous Le Mans-winning family.
At the appointed hour I headed for the starting grid, where a variety of cars were lined up: Porsche GT3s, Merc AMG C63s, BMW Ms, Renault Megane Sport, etc, and joined Jules for a hot lap, but not before Lotus-Renault tester Jerome d’Ambrosio, who lives near me in Belgium, spied me and insisted I join him. The joys of being popular…
Although Saturday’s rain had dried up after qualifying, the track was still wet in parts, and it was fascinating to feel Jules regulate brake pressure just enough to ensure the C63 did not lock up on damp spots, yet maintained maximum braking power. Equally fascinating was how tooth-jarring are the kerbs, which we rode over at every turn, sometimes taking to the Astroturf if it helped his line. Even in the wet, in a road car on road tyres, the g-forces were incredible even as we viewed Hockenheim through the side windows, making it abundantly clear just how talented are these guys.
Then I blagged my way across to Renault, where I took up the earlier invite from Jerome, who raced for Marussia in F1 last year. The Megane Sport is, of course, front-wheel drive, so tail-out stuff was hardly the order of the day – wet track or not – but again I marvelled how they found traction and grip on slippery surfaces.
Both Jules and Jerome obviously went out of their ways to make things spectacular – and therein lay the issue: to be able to chuck cars about on a moist surface with such abandon, yet remain totally in control, made it all the more impressive.
Make no mistake, these guys, GP2 winners both, are super talented – just a pity that they are still patiently waiting their turns to join the sharp end.
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