Germany still centre stage as Formula One fever hits Hockenheim

It has been a great week to be German. Following the country’s spectacular World Cup success, Formula One now comes to town, with Nico Rosberg 15/8 to win in his home nation.

Mercedes confirmed this week that they had tied Rosberg down to a new “multi-year contract extension”, and the driver who tops the standings from teammate Lewis Hamilton, is 15/8 to secure another winner.

Speaking recently, Rosberg said: “It has been a difficult road to get to where we are now, but everybody kept believing and, thanks to the fantastic support from Mercedes-Benz, we are now leading the way in F1.

Having joined from Williams in 2010, he has since secured six victories, 17 podiums and eight pole positions with the Silver Arrows, and is excited about the future.

“We have an awesome team and I am confident that we have the right people in place at every level,” the Championship leader continued.

“I’m looking forward to the next years together, when we will keep pushing to win even more races and, hopefully, championships.”

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, also of Germany, has spoken out, branding Formula One “very cruel”, as he attempts to salvage his season. Despite winning the Championship last term, he lies in sixth position without a single victory this campaign.

“It’s been a tough start, a rough season so far,” Vettel said, who is 11/4 to secure a podium finish in front of a home crowd.

“F1 can be fantastic, as I have experience of, but it can be very cruel in retiring from problems. You rely on your car. It is part of the game.”

Following rule changes at the end of last year, Vettel has struggled to come to terms with his new car, though is positive things will work out.

“It hasn’t come our way yet, but I’m confident it will,” Vettel said. “I’m struggling to understand the car so we are testing a lot of things. Some work, some don’t.

“Some laps were good, other laps I was messing it up and it doesn’t come as constant, as regular as it did in the past,” he continued.