F1 Preview: 2016 German Grand Prix - MotorSportsTalk

After two years away, Formula 1 returns to Hockenheim this weekend for the German Grand Prix with the title race finely poised between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton took the lead of the drivers’ championship for the first time in Hungary last weekend, chalking up a fifth victory in six races with a controlled display.

The tables have turned since the Spanish Grand Prix in May where Rosberg led by 43 points, leaving him under pressure to reduce the six-point deficit on home soil this weekend.

As the final race before the summer break, this weekend is set to be a pivotal one in not just the title race, but also in the battles further down the grid.

Here’s our full preview of the German Grand Prix.

2016 German Grand Prix – Talking Points

Back to Germany

Germany holds an important place in F1’s past and present. Michael Schumacher helped foster a generation of racing fans in the 1990s and early 2000s, while we currently have a German team, Mercedes, ruling the sport with a German driver, Rosberg, behind the wheel.

The loss of the German Grand Prix last year was a great disappointment to all in F1. Hockenheim may be a shadow of its former self, yet the return of a grand prix to the track is something most are pleased by. Germany is a crucial market for the sport – even if ticket numbers in 2014 left much to be desired.

The Nürburgring told NBC Sports earlier this week that hosting the German Grand Prix must be “economically justifiable”. Last year it wasn’t. Will it be in 2017? Or will this be the last race in Germany until 2018 at the earliest?

Hamilton looks to keep his run going

After being down in the dumps on Saturday in Monaco and with penalties looming, Lewis Hamilton could not have imagined such a turnaround in fortunes before the summer break.

Hamilton seized the lead of the championship in Hungary last weekend, and now has the chance to extend his lead to 13 points with victory at Hockenheim.

Two years ago, Hamilton fought from the back of the grid to finish third after a crash in qualifying in a display that did much to keep his title hopes alive. At Rosberg’s home race, he could deal another killer blow in the battle for the 2016 crown.

Rosberg über alles?

Two years ago, Nico Rosberg capped off a memorable couple of weeks by winning his home grand prix for the very first time. Germany had just won the FIFA World Cup, he’d just got married and signed a new Mercedes contract.

Fast forward two years, and Rosberg remains at F1’s top table. Although he may trail Hamilton by six points, he once again has a new Mercedes deal in his pocket, and will fancy his chances of scoring a second home victory.

Momentum has been the name of the game in the title race this season. Rarely is it as important as when you’re on the cusp of the summer break.

Ferrari begins life after Allison, looks to revive fortunes

Ferrari arrives in Germany this weekend fresh from announcing that technical director James Allison has left the team after three years.

While the split was mutual and amicable, Ferrari finds itself once again looking at the ruins of a disappointing season that could get even worse should Red Bull pass for second place in the constructors’ championship.

Sunday’s race will be Sebastian Vettel’s first on home soil in Ferrari colors, bringing back memories of Michael Schumacher’s successes at Hockenheim in front of a baying home crowd. Those in the grandstands hopeful of a Vettel win may need to cool expectations.

School’s out for summer!

It feels weird to be previewing the summer break on the German Grand Prix weekend given that Hungary is the usual host. Alas, there is still the same feeling that school is almost out for summer.

The teams will take full advantage of their enforced shut-down, getting some much-needed rest and recharge in ahead of the final run-in from Belgium to Abu Dhabi.

The only downside is that there is no racing for almost a month…

2016 German Grand Prix – Facts and Figures

Track: Hockenheim
Corners: 17
Lap Record: Kimi Raikkonen 1:13.780 (2004)
Tire Compounds: Medium/Soft/Super-Soft
2014 Winner: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2014 Pole Position: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 1:16.540
2014 Fastest Lap: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:19.908
DRS Zones: T1 to T2; T4 to T6

2016 German Grand Prix – TV Times

Free Practice 1: NBC Sports App 4am ET 7/29
Free Practice 2: NBCSN 8am ET 7/29
Free Practice 3: NBC Sports App 5am ET 7/30
Qualifying: NBCSN 8am ET 7/30
Race: NBCSN 7am ET 7/31

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In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

Read more about SuperMotocross