Mercedes looking to reward their home fans at Hockenheim

Mercedes are heading to their home Grand Prix with the aim of rewarding their loyal home fans, as the Formula 1 fraternity gears up for the German Grand Prix. This will be the 33rd running of the event around the Hockenheimring, and Mercedes will be unsurprisingly striving for success on home territory.

After a race of mixed results last time out at Silverstone, where Michael Schumacher finished 7th and Nico Rosberg a dismal 15th, both German drivers will be hoping for a more competitive race in front of their adoring home fans. Michael Schumacher has enjoyed a relatively successful last few races, after finishing on the podium for the first time in several years at the European Grand Prix. The German also started the British Grand Prix 3rd, and will be striving to emulate both of those recent results throughout the German Grand Prix weekend.

The 7-time World Champion has enjoyed a highly successful history at the German Grand Prix, winning the race four times throughout his lengthy and colorful career. However, since his last win in 2006 with Ferrari, the German has only managed 9th and 8th respectively in 2010 and 2011 with Mercedes.

“As a German driver, you naturally have a different sense of excitement when you arrive at the German Grand Prix and know that all the spectators in the grandstands are supporting you.” Explained Michael Schumacher, “That makes you proud, and always boosts your motivation even higher. This year is the first time that our Mercedes works team has been capable of racing right at the front, and because of that, we’re hoping for lots of support from the fans and to reward them with our performance.”

Nico Rosberg has enjoyed limited success at his home race, with a personal best result being 4th in 2009. However, with the 27-year-old already a race winner in 2012, he will be striving to replicate such as result at Hockenheim. The German driver believes the Hockenheimring should suit the Mercedes W103, more so than Silverstone last time out.

“I will be pushing really hard to perform well in front of our fans in the Mercedes Grandstand, so we can hopefully celebrate a good result together.” Said Nico Rosberg. “I think our car should suit this track much better than Silverstone. Hockenheim has long straights and short corners, which will be good for the Silver Arrow.”

Mercedes haven’t won the German Grand Prix since 1954, when Juan Manuel Fangio stormed to victory ahead of the Ferrari’s of Jose Froilan Gonzalez, Mike Hawthorn and Maurice Trintignant. Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will undoubtedly be striving to change that stat at the German Grand Prix, however it’s blatantly clear that both Ferrari and Red Bull are currently on top form at the sharp end of the pack.

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