Formula One heads to the Eifel Mountains of Germany to the Nurburgring, the host of the European Grand Prix and the ninth round of the 2001 World Championship. As always, Ewan Tytler reviews the field and players

At 4.556 Km, the modern Nurburgring is average in length and speed. The modern circuit shares one characteristic of the ancient one - both are accident-prone. First corner accidents happened at the Castrol-S in 1984, 1997 and 1999. Regardless, it has staged some fine races, including the 1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix.

The Nurburgring is not too far from Spa-Francorchamps and like Spa, weather is a major concern. Conditions varying from frost, mist and rain, to warm sunshine, have been experienced over the past five years. Fortunately, the modern Nurburgring does not take as long to dry out as it isn't shaded by trees.

Attrition is fairly low at the Nurburgring and there is limited opportunity for overtaking so qualifying is very important. Sixteen cars finished the 1998 race, fifteen cars were running at the end of the 1997 race, thirteen finished in 1996 while only ten were classified in the wet races of 1995 and 1999. In last year's race, most finishers used a two-stop strategy stopping between laps 14-17 and laps 39-48.

Williams's Chief Operations Engineer Sam Michael explains the challenges presented by the Nurburgring: "Nurburgring is usually quite cold and that presents a significant challenge to Michelin and the team in selecting the best tyre compounds. Having not tested here either makes the tyre selection even harder, especially if it rains. We will have a setup close to maximum downforce, while also paying particular attention to slow and medium speed corners. There is only one high speed corner so it doesn't dominate the lap. The chicane at the end of the lap is an important consideration for suspension setup and also highlights an overtaking opportunity that has been used in the past. I am sure we will see some interesting strategies on Sunday because most of the passing at this circuit is done in the pits."

Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier added: "I would be very happy if the GP of Europe gave us at least a taste of what we encountered in North America. Especially as there is no major difference between the two tracks. At 4.556 km in length, the German circuit is mildly less abrasive, although the weather could well be very different. The track temperature reached 40°C in Canada but you never know whether it will be 5°C or 45°C at the Nurburgring, and there is a serious chance of rain. It is a track at which race strategy plays a crucial role."

Jaguar's Eddie Irvine added a driver's perspective. "It's quite a difficult track as far as setting up the car is concerned, bumpy in parts, with a tricky downhill run and several changes of gradient and quite narrow," the Ulsterman said. "That can make for problems at the start as the first corner is like a bottleneck and keeping out of trouble is your main priority. Overtaking is not that easy because you suffer if you move off the racing line and you really need the car in front to make a mistake."

Past Experience

This is how well (or bad) the current drivers have qualified in the past at the Nurburgring:

Driver/Year	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	Average(96-00)
Schumacher M	3	3	5	1	-	2	2.75
Barrichello	11	5	9	12	15	4	9.00
Hakkinen	9	9	1	3	3	3	4.67
Coulthard	1	6	6	5	2	1	3.50
Schumacher R	-	-	8	6	4	5	5.75
Montoya	-	-	4*	1*	-	-	-
Fisichella	-	16	4	4	6	7	7.40
Button	-	-	-	-	-	11	11.00
Panis	14	15	11	15	5	-	12.00
Villeneuve	-	2	2	9	8	9	6.00
Frentzen	8	10	3	7	1	10	6.50
Trulli	-	-	-	14	10	6	10.00
Verstappen	23	13	14	18	-	14	14.75
Bernoldi	-	-	-	-	DNQ*	4*	-
Heidfeld	-	-	-	1**	1*	13	13
Raikkonen	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Irvine	5	7	14	2	9	8	7.50
De La Rosa	-	-	-	-	22	12	17.00
Alonso	-	-	-	-	-	20*	-
Marques	-	-	18	-	-	-	18
Alesi	6	4	10	11	16	18	10.83
Burti	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

* F3000 Result

Down the Pitlane

Ferrari now lead the Constructors' Championship by 34 points, while Michael Schumacher has extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 18 points. Michael won the European Grand Prix in 2000 for Ferrari and in 1995 for Benetton and finished second in 1996 and 1998 for Ferrari. Schumacher set fastest lap in 1995 and 2000 and set pole position in 1998. His teammate, Rubens Barrichello, remains 3rd in the Drivers' Championship, the Brazilian finished 4th in 2000 for Ferrari, 3rd in 1999 for Stewart, 5th in 1996 and 4th in 1995 for Jordan. Barrichello's highest grid position was 5th in 1996.

McLaren are still 2nd in the Constructors' Championship and they set the pace in last week's test at Silverstone. McLaren have won twice at the modern Nurburgring - in 1984 and 1998 - and have scored 30 points at the Nurburgring from 1995 though 2000.

Mika Hakkinen has jumped to 5th equal in the Drivers' Championship after his morale-boosting podium finish in Canada. "I am looking forward to building on the result I achieved in Canada," Hakkinen commented. "The entire team has been working hard to achieve the desired outcome at the Nurburgring, where the atmosphere is always fantastic as it's the home race for Mercedes-Benz and we always have a lot of crowd support. I enjoy driving at the circuit and am aiming to go one better than last year's second position."

Hakkinen also won a superb tactical victory in the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1998 and set fastest lap. In the wet 1999 race, Hakkinen was all at sea but still ended up fifth after setting fastest lap. He holds the qualifying record for the Nurburgring (1:16.602), which was also his first career pole position, set in 1997. A medium-speed circuit like the Nurburgring is where Hakkinen normally excels.

David Coulthard, still 2nd in the Drivers' Championship, recently stated: "It is always an exciting race at the Nuburgring, as there are a number of real overtaking opportunities and also the weather is often unpredictable and as a result can have a major effect on the race. I have a consistent record at the event, having finished on the podium in four of the past five European Grand Prix, which I am aiming to continue and improve on this year."

Coulthard's four podium finishes were all third place - in 2000, 1998 and 1996 for McLaren, and in 1995 for Williams. The Scot also set the pole position in 2000 and in 1995. In 1999, Coulthard spun off while leading and in 1997 his Mercedes engine expired while he was running second. Coulthard is one of the most experienced drivers at the Nurburgring, having competed in all 5 recent Grands Prix on this circuit, as well as F3000 races in 1992 and 1993.

Williams consolidated their third position in the Constructors' Championship in Canada but were running in the mid-field during the Silverstone tests last week. Furthermore, Williams have been the most successful team at the Nurburgring, winning in 1996 and 1997, and have scored a total of 36 points at the Nurburgring between 1995 and 2000.

Huerth's Ralf Schumacher, lying 5th in the Drivers Championship, stated: "This is my home race and there is always a great atmosphere, which makes it very special. It would be nice to have a similar success at home as in Canada, but the Nurburgring will be more difficult for us than Montreal, so my realistic target is to collect as many points as possible. The circuit has very high safety standards but, typical to many modern circuits, it lacks character and there are no big challenges except the chicane if it is wet." Ralf finished fourth in the 1999 European Grand Prix after leading for 8 laps and then having a puncture. His highest grid position was 4th, also in 1999. Ralf also spent two seasons racing at the Nurburgring in German Formula 3 in 1994 and 1995.

Juan Pablo Montoya has slipped to 10th equal in the Drivers' Championship and has been unfocused since the Spanish Grand Prix. Montoya stated, "I have raced here before, so I know the circuit, but probably not as well as some others. However, it has good memories for me as it was here in '98 where I won the Formula 3000 Championship, starting the race from pole and finishing third. I hope we have a good race there because it is the home of BMW and I am looking forward to finishing a Grand Prix again." Montoya also qualified and finished 4th in the 1997 F3000 race at the Nurburgring.

Benetton have slipped to 9th equal in the Constructors' Championship after a disappointing weekend in Canada, and they were also at the bottom of the timesheets at Silverstone last week. Benetton won the European Grand Prix in 1995 and have scored 24 points at the Nurburgring between 1995 and 2000. Giancarlo Fisichella finished 5th in last year's race and finished 6th in the 1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix. Fisichella also spun off while leading the 1999 European Grand Prix. His highest grid positions were fourth in 1997 and 1998. His teammate Jenson Button, who has yet to score a point in 2001, qualified 11th for Williams last year and was classified 10th, after retiring with electronics failure.

Jordan have slipped to 5th in the Constructors' Championship after failing to score points in the past three Grands Prix. Furthermore, in last year's race both cars retired due to electric failures.

Monchengladbach's Heinz-Harald Frentzen has slipped to 10th equal in the Drivers' Championship after missing the Canadian Grand Prix, and he is still doubtful for the European Grand Prix. Frentzen admitted, "Nurburgring is not my favourite track, but it has some good points. It's great for spectators as they can see most of the track. The Castrol-S corner at the end of the start/finish straight and the Veedol-S chicane at the end of the lap provide good overtaking opportunities. The 190 degree Dunlop curve also has interesting features with high banking and a good grip level."

Frentzen finished third in 1997 and fifth in 1998 for Williams. He holds the race lap record (1:18.805), which he set in 1997, and he led the 1999 European Grand Prix for 32 laps after setting pole position. Frentzen's experience at the Nurburgring dates back to German Formula 3 in 1989.

Jarno Trulli has slipped to 7th equal in the Drivers' Championship, after a promising yet disappointing weekend at Canada. Trulli revealed, "I know this track very well as I drove here many times in the German F3 Championship. I'm looking forward to Nurburgring as I have very good memories from when I achieved my first podium here in 1999. It would be great to manage a similar result again this year." Trulli, the 1996 German Formula 3 champion, finished second in the 1999 European Grand Prix with Prost, and his highest grid position was 5th, in last year's race.

BAR have slipped to 6th in the Constructors' Championship, the team have yet to score a point at the Nurburgring. Olivier Panis won the 1993 F3000 event at the Nurburgring from pole position. He finished 6th in the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix, and his highest grid position was 5th in the 1999 European Grand Prix. Jacques Villeneuve, on the other hand, had early success at the Nurburgring, winning in his first career Grand Prix at the European GP of 1996 and winning again at the Luxembourg Grand Prix of 1997. Villeneuve's highest grid positions were 2nd in 1996 and 1997.

Sauber have climbed to 4th in the Constructors' Championship, the team missing out on scoring points at the Nurburgring previously - their best finishes were all 7th, in 1996, 1997 and 2000.

Monchengladbach's Nick Heidfeld has slipped to 5th equal in the Drivers' Championship, and he withdrew from testing at Silverstone last week as a result of the injuries he incurred in Canada. Heidfeld, the 1997 German Formula 3 Champion, has fallen foul to the technical regulations at the Nurburgring on two occasions. He was disqualified from last year's race after provisionally qualifying 13th, when his Sauber C19 was found to be underweight. In the 1998 F3000 race, Heidfeld set provisional pole position but was forced to start from the back of the grid due to a fuel irregularity, and he ultimately finished 9th. Heidfeld finished 2nd in the 1999 F3000 race at the Nurburgring after setting pole position and fastest lap.

Kimi Raikkonen has climbed to 7th equal in the Drivers' Championship. Raikkonen has never competed at the Nurburgring but this has not been a handicap for him at other circuits so far this year.

Jaguar are still 7th in the Constructors' Championship, while Eddie Irvine has slipped to 13th in the Drivers' Championship. Irvine commented: "Having missed last week's test at Silverstone because of a slight neck injury, I'm keen to get back behind the wheel at the Nurburgring. I like the Nurburgring. This will be the first time we have raced here in the middle of summer, so hopefully we can get through the weekend without any rain for once." Irvine finished 4th in 1998 for Ferrari, after leading on the first lap, and also finished 6th in 1995 for Jordan. His highest grid position was 2nd in 1998. Teammate Pedro de la Rosa, 15th equal in the Drivers' Championship, finished 6th after qualifying 12th last year, while in 1999 he did not finish after qualifying last.

Arrows have slipped to 9th equal in the Constructors' Championship afer another disappointing weekend in Canada, with two DNFs. Technical Director, Mike Coughlan, confessed: "Nurburgring is a high downforce track which doesn't really suit the car but having said that we were competitive here last year by making the most of the weather so a little more rain wouldn't go amiss. Jos is still on a high from his extremely good performance in Canada so we expect him to be on a charge this weekend. Enrique has driven at the Nürburgring before so knows the track and won't have the same disadvantages he had in Canada."

Jos Verstappen, 15th equal in the Drivers' Championship, admitted: "The Nürburgring is a hard circuit. There isn't a great deal of grip and you get a lot of understeer through the sweeping corners. I really don't know what to expect from the race this year. Our pace was good there before but it did rain. The weather usually has a part to play but it is very hard to predict." Verstappen finished 13th in the 1998 Luxembourg Grand Prix for Stewart, and his highest grid position was 13th in 1996 with Footwork. Verstappen also competed in two German Formula 3 races at the Nurburgring.

Enrique Bernoldi failed to qualify for the 1999 F3000 race at the Nurburgring and did not finish last year's F3000 race after qualifying 4th. Bernoldi explained: "This is a nice track which has a bit of everything including a good mixture of corners. I hope I can have a good race there as last year I was leading the F3000 race but had a problem with my suspension that forced me out."

Minardi have scored one point at the Nurburgring, when Marc Gene finished sixth in 1999. In fact, both Minardi drivers have little experience at the Nurburgring - Fernando Alonso was eliminated in a first lap accident in last year's F3000 event after qualifying 20th, while Tarso Marques completed only one race lap after qualifying 18th for the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix.

Prost have climbed to 8th in the Constructors' Championship. Team Principal Alain Prost won the first Grand Prix held at the modern Nurburgring in 1984, and his team has scored 7 points at this circuit. Jean Alesi has climbed to 14th in the Drivers' Championship. Alesi had two podium finishes at the Nurburgring, finishing second in 1997 for Benetton and second in 1995 for Ferrari. Alesi led the wet 1995 race, losing the lead on the 65th lap. His highest grid position was fourth in 1996. In contrast, Luciano Burti has never competed at the Nurburgring in a premier Formula.

The European Grand Prix Preview in a Nutshell: