F1 German Grand Prix practice: betting preview, tip & where to watch

Practice one
Sky Sports F1, 10am Friday

Practice two
Sky Sports F1, 2pm Friday

Lewis Hamilton unusually failed to top a single session at Silverstone before he won the British Grand Prix two weeks ago, and Mercedes may be looking for a more dominant performance from their world champion on a special weekend for the team.

Mercedes are sponsoring this weekend's German Grand Prix and the cars will be decked out in a special white livery to celebrate their 200th F1 event and 125 years in motorsport.

After overheating issues affected their pace in Austria, Mercedes will be relieved that a forecast thunderstorm on Saturday is expected to cool things down for the rest of the weekend.

Hamilton is the only driver in the field to have won at the Hockenheimring, however, he has not qualified ahead of his teammate there since 2008.

After a strong showing in Britain, fellow Mercedes man Valtteri Bottas will fancy his chances and could be a bit of value to go quickest in first practice.

Red Bull have been improving of late and Max Verstappen in particular is respected in all markets.

Home hero Sebastian Vettel crashed out of a comfortable lead at Hockenheim last year and is under pressure after another error in Britain saw his young Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc close to within three points of him in the championship.

Recommendation
V Bottas fastest in practice one
1pt 4-1 Hills, Sky Bet

The lowdown

Venue Hockenheimring, near Heidelberg, Germany
Number of laps 67
Lap length 4.574km
Lap record 1.13.780 K Raikkonen (McLaren) 2004

Schedule – practice one 10am Friday; ­practice two 2pm; practice three 11am Saturday; qualifying 2pm Saturday; race 2.10pm Sunday
TV All live on Sky Sports F1

Circuit characteristics Almost completely flat and with a lack of ­challenging corners, but a long, curving ‘straight’ before the hairpin provides a good passing opportunity
DRS zones Before turn two and before the hairpin
Course winner taking part L Hamilton

Last year Lewis Hamilton broke down in qualifying and started 14th. Polesitter Sebastian Vettel looked set for victory but crashed out on lap 52 after rain fell. Hamilton opted not to pit during the safety car period and took the lead of the race and victory.

2018 pole S Vettel, 1.11.212
2018 fastest lap L Hamilton, 1.15.545, lap 66
2018 classified finishers 16/20
Reason for retirements Mechanical (3) accident (1)

Weather Scorching hot on Friday, but Saturday thunderstorms should freshen it up for the race.

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