Ferrari head to the German grand prix knowing that it’s a case of all or nothing to save a once healthy title fight, now struck down by a sizeable bullet wound.

Controversy has shrouded the past two races – both times with a safety car visit clouding the potential of a big points scoring outing. Fernando Alonso has outqualified and largely outpaced Jenson Button’s McLaren recently, but Button’s tally of 133 shows just what a few consistent points finishes, combined with a bit of luck and a lack of controversy, can obtain. With just four points to show from the last two races, Ferrari need to get back on track, and more importantly, back on the podium, to remind the field that the bookies preseason favourites are still in fact, racing.

The weather forecast seems to predict unpredictability – Robert Kubica has said the first dry running may have to wait until Sunday’s drive to the grid, while some predict dry running from the start of Friday. However, a storm met the drivers after a press conference on Thursday afternoon. Ferrari’s lack of success in the wet grand prix this season reflects more of the fact that the team have made poor tyre decisions, rather than any lack of pace – any new reason to play havoc with the instability at Red Bull, which could also break the total equilibrium at Mclaren, would surely be a benefit to the teams weekend. An all or nothing approach would be great in the rain, when rivals may try to hold onto more secure points.

Despite falling to fifth in the drivers championship, Fernando Alonso is remaining bullish. Before the weekend, he stated:

“We’re about to begin a very important period for our season: in the next two races, in Germany and Hungary, it will be crucial to pick up a lot of points to stay in the race for the title. There’s no point in looking back and crying about it. We know that we will have to get everything right. Then we will bring home the results that we want, I have no doubt about that.

“I want to stress that my continued confidence isn’t unfounded but it’s based on fact. Our car has noticeably improved in recent weeks, as we showed at Silverstone, a track that should have theoretically been hard for us. This year’s points system increases the value of the gaps but, at the same time, it allows you to make important gains: it’s clear that you have to get results. I assure you that I’ve sensed a great determination among the people who work at Maranello. We all want the same thing, which is to return to winning ways as soon as possible. At Hockenheim we will have more new parts on the F10, in particular a new version of the diffuser.”

What’s for certain is that this race will define Ferrari’s season. A fast race pace and bulk of points could be the catalyst for joining in the battle for a title Red Bull should already be dominating – but any more bad luck or controversy will leave the team merely fighting Mercedes to just be a top 3 team. Unfortunately, I see more of the same for the Maranello outfit.

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