Formula One drivers talk on England v Germany
England take on Germany once again in a major international competition, and the Formula One drivers, currently at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, will have their eyes on the match.
The Formula One field is made up of two Englishman and six Germans, and while they will battle it out for track position, the footballers will be vying for a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The race on Sunday will finish just before the match in South Africa kicks off, therefore giving the drivers and the teams the chance to watch the game.
Reigning world champion Jenson Button believes the England team are now ready after their slow start. “It's always exciting playing Germany isn't it? We love playing the Germans. It's a little sad it's so early in the tournament, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully the win has given them confidence and they are more relaxed because I know how it is when you feel under pressure to perform. The first two matches were quite difficult, but we haven't lost a game yet, so it's a case of being positive,” said Button.
Lewis Hamilton is currently leading the drivers’ standings, three points ahead of his teammate Button. Two Englishman are on top, and Hamilton hopes the national side will be the same come Sunday evening. “I'll be rooting for them. It's going to be a tough game, but England are improving all the time, so I'm hoping they'll be at their best when we face Germany. I'm sure they'll want to beat Germany more than any other team,” said the 2008 world champion.
As one of Germany’s greatest sportsman, Michael Schumacher felt the need to offer his sympathy to the England fans. “I'm sorry for the English-speaking nation on Sunday, what you have to face and go through. It's tough on you. We have better statistics. I'm sorry about that, but that's what it is.”
The seven-time world champion was asked who the biggest English threat would be on Sunday, either Wayne Rooney or Hamilton, to which he replied “that's a good question - maybe both.”
Schumacher has been struggling this year in an under-performing Mercedes-Benz car. The German feels the national side have a better chance of challenging the English on the pitch than he does with Hamilton and Button on the tarmac. “You have to say Jenson is doing a great job as well [as Hamilton], so both of them are a very big threat, and they have certainly taken the edge off Red Bull so far in the last two races. Even with our improvements we hope to get closer, but whether we are on the same playing field, that remains to be seen. But certainly Germany has a much better chance to be on the same playing field as England,” said the 41-year-old.
Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel is confident Germany will come through the match if it goes to a penalty shoot-out. “Neither team has been in the most comfortable situation looking at the last couple of matches. But if it gets to penalties, we should be alright.”
One person who might not have the same knowledge of football as some of the other drivers is Schumacher’s teammate Nico Rosberg. “I think the English team is going to be so nervous at the start because they know that against the Germans there is just no way [they are going to win], as we've seen in World Cup history.
It was mentioned to Rosberg that this was not strictly true, in which he responded by saying “when was the last time?”
The year 1966 was pointed out to him, and he replied “1966? And you beat Germany along the way? In the semi-final?” The Mercedes-Benz driver was even more surprised when he was told it was in the final.
He may not know about his history for football, but he knows how to drive, and in this morning’s first practice session he was the fastest man (1:41.175s) ahead of Hamilton (1:41.339s) in second and third-placed Button (1:41.383s). In second practice, the Ferrari of Fernando Alonso was quickest (1:39.283s), with Vettel in second (1:39.339s) and Mark Webber in third (1:39.427s).
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