Formula One returns to Hockenheim this year where two things are guaranteed from the fans; they will back any team with a German driver and anything with a Mercedes-Benz engine in it.

So for Mercedes GP and their two German drivers – one of which is the greatest of all time – they can count on a superb backing from the passionate spectators.

After such a good showing at Silverstone – the home of the team’s factories – everyone involved with the Silver Arrows will be striving for a repeat in their second home Grand Prix.

Of course, a podium finish will, again, rely on a couple of the leading drivers to run into problems once more, as Mercedes are still not near enough McLaren or Red Bull to challenge on a level playing field.

Mercedes-Benz chief Norbert Haug will be more than satisfied with seeing a Silver Arrows driver on the podium once again.

“We cannot assume that we will win. We want to present our new team in the best possible way. Nico achieved this at Silverstone when he came home in third place for a podium finish, and it would be nice to repeat such a result at the Mercedes-Benz home race.”

Haug saw a car with a Mercedes-Benz engine finish first in the last Hockenheim race in 2008, when Lewis Hamilton topped the podium. The same happening again will be the only way a Mercedes engine will be receiving the chequered flag in first place.

Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher will want to put on a spectacle for their adoring-countrymen who are paying to see them, but they know it will take a miracle for either to be on the top step come Sunday afternoon.

Mercedes improved dramatically at Silverstone, but still watched as a Red Bull and a McLaren shot off into the distance. The second Red Bull passed Schumacher despite suffering a puncture on the first lap, and Rosberg only just managed to hold off a charging Jenson Button, even though there was a nine-place gap between the duo on the starting grid.

Fernando Alonso also suffered his own problems which could have affected Rosberg’s finishing position. But it is not Mercedes’ concern that other cars encountered difficulties. They kept their car on the track, and Rosberg pulled off a great result for the team.

They can just carry on concentrating on their own cars and finishing in the highest position possible. There may well be a couple more podiums in store for them this season. This weekend? I wouldn’t bet against it.

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