Hometown result would be a boost for Ferrari ace

SEBASTIAN Vettel is chasing his first win at his local Hockenheim circuit to build on the momentum of his British Grand Prix victory.

The Ferrari driver is out to extend his eight-point lead over Lewis Hamilton at what is also a home grand prix for Germany’s Mercedes team.

Hamilton won the last Hockenheim race two years ago, with Germany off the calendar last year and the future of the race also in doubt.

Hockenheim is about 50km from Vettel’s home town of Heppenheim, but he is yet to win a grand prix on the circuit, and his only win in Germany came five years ago at the Nurburgring.

“Maybe we can do it this year. That so many friends and family will be there makes it special,” he said.

Organisers are hoping for the biggest crowds for 12 years when Michael Schumacher was the big attraction. There could well also be a big contingent from the Netherlands to cheer on Red Bull’s Max Ver- stappen. Austrian GP winner Verstappen and teammate Daniel Ricciardo were second (Ricciardo) and third (Verstappen) behind Hamilton two years ago.

Mercedes is keen to get back on track after one win in the past five, with motorsport chief Toto Wolff upbeat for the second half of the season.

Vettel is on 171 points in the standings, with world champion Hamilton second with 163. They are followed by Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen in third place on 116 and Australian Ricciardo (fourth, 106).

Past records give Ferrari and Mercedes optimism for a good result on Sunday.