2006 German Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Michael Schumacher led another Ferrari one-two at Hockenheim, cutting Fernando Alonso’s championship advantage as Renault endured a difficult German Grand Prix. Kimi Räikkönen recovered from an early pit-stop delay to finish third.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren
Pole time	1:14.070
Fastest lap	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:16.357 on lap 17
First	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari
Second	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Third	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
28 July 2006	Practice 1	11:00
28 July 2006	Practice 2	14:00
29 July 2006	Practice 3	11:00
29 July 2006	Qualifying	14:00
30 July 2006	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Fernando Alonso arrived at round 12 leading the 2006 F1 World Championship on 96 points, with Michael Schumacher on 79. Renault headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 142 points.

Race entries

Sakon Yamamoto replaced Franck Montagny at Super Aguri, making his Grand Prix debut as the team introduced its SA06. Franck Montagny would return to the third-driver role later in the season. This also proved to be Jacques Villeneuve’s final Formula 1 race for BMW Sauber.

Free Practice

Wurz led a slippery Friday morning session, but Nico Rosberg damaged his Williams after an incident at the first corner. Robert Doornbos spun twice and several other drivers ran off without major damage. Honda showed encouraging signs with its revised car, while some leading contenders did not venture beyond installation work—or remained in the garage altogether.

Robert Kubica topped the afternoon ahead of Michael Schumacher, with Robert Doornbos also close. McLaren showed promising pace through Kimi Räikkönen and Pedro de la Rosa, while Renault’s drivers were further back. The weekend was also overshadowed by the mass-damper dispute: Renault removed the system after Friday rather than risk the outcome of the FIA’s appeal against the stewards’ ruling.

Christian Klien produced a surprise fastest lap on Saturday, ahead of both Hondas. Michael Schumacher abandoned a potentially quicker lap for yellow flags after Sakon Yamamoto crashed the new Super Aguri. Jarno Trulli suffered engine trouble that brought a grid penalty, and Mark Webber spun. The mixed order and interrupted laps made the session a poor guide to the final grid.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2006 German Grand Prix FP1, 28 July 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	35	Alexander Wurz	Williams	1:16.349	26
2	36	Anthony Davidson	Honda	+0.174s	29
3	38	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.994s	29
4	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.090s	5
5	37	Robert Doornbos	Red Bull Racing	+1.486s	25
6	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.736s	6
7	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.979s	5
8	40	Neel Jani	Toro Rosso	+2.190s	24
9	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+2.315s	6
10	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.446s	5
11	39	Markus Winkelhock	Midland	+2.615s	27
12	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	+2.623s	6
13	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+2.865s	5
14	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+3.158s	7
15	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+3.753s	14
16	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+3.783s	5
17	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+4.226s	7
18	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+4.601s	7
19	23	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	+4.869s	21
20	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+18.593s	3
21	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	No time	4
22	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	No time	4
23	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	No time	1
24	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	No time	1
25	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	No time	1

Free Practice 2 Classification

2006 German Grand Prix FP2, 28 July 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	38	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:16.225	18
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.277s	14
3	37	Robert Doornbos	Red Bull Racing	+0.324s	18
4	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.815s	9
5	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.980s	11
6	36	Anthony Davidson	Honda	+1.069s	26
7	9	Mark Webber	Williams	+1.119s	6
8	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	+1.291s	10
9	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.294s	13
10	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.317s	13
11	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.447s	10
12	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.619s	13
13	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.670s	14
14	39	Markus Winkelhock	Midland	+1.737s	20
15	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+1.857s	8
16	35	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+1.939s	36
17	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	+1.998s	13
18	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+2.141s	13
19	40	Neel Jani	Toro Rosso	+2.235s	19
20	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+2.391s	10
21	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+2.411s	10
22	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+2.418s	11
23	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+2.766s	11
24	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	+2.888s	9
25	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+3.007s	12
26	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+3.140s	8
27	23	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	No time	2

Free Practice 3 Classification

2006 German Grand Prix FP3, 29 July 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	1:15.628	14
2	12	Jenson Button	Honda	+0.023s	15
3	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+0.335s	19
4	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.349s	13
5	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+0.452s	14
6	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+0.502s	16
7	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.539s	14
8	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	+0.590s	12
9	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	+0.679s	11
10	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	+0.694s	12
11	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	+0.799s	15
12	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+0.904s	18
13	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+0.972s	17
14	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+1.062s	20
15	9	Mark Webber	Williams	+1.206s	16
16	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.791s	17
17	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	+2.112s	16
18	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	+2.165s	23
19	23	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	+3.015s	19
20	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+3.040s	21
21	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	+3.626s	15
22	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	No time	2

Qualifying

Kimi Räikkönen took pole ahead of Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa, giving McLaren the best starting position against Ferrari’s race pace. Jenson Button qualified fourth and Giancarlo Fisichella fifth, while Fernando Alonso was only seventh. Honda’s improved practice form therefore carried into the competitive session.

Kimi Räikkönen’s light fuel load would require an early first stop, an important qualification to his pole-winning speed. Jarno Trulli’s engine change sent him down the grid, and Sakon Yamamoto’s troubled debut left him at the rear. Renault faced a difficult recovery with both championship rivals ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Qualifying Classification

2006 German Grand Prix Qualifying, 29 July 2006

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	1:15.214	1:14.410	1:14.070	19
2	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	1:14.904	1:13.778	1:14.205	18
3	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:14.412	1:14.094	1:14.569	18
4	12	Jenson Button	Honda	1:15.869	1:14.378	1:14.862	23
5	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:15.916	1:14.540	1:14.894	21
6	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	1:15.757	1:14.652	1:14.934	24
7	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	1:15.518	1:14.746	1:15.282	21
8	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:15.789	1:14.743	1:15.923	21
9	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	1:15.655	1:15.021	1:15.936	20
10	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:15.836	1:14.826	1:16.326	25
11	9	Mark Webber	Williams	1:15.719	1:15.094	—	14
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	1:15.816	1:15.141	—	14
13	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:15.430	1:15.150	—	12
14	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	1:16.281	1:15.329	—	13
15	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	1:16.183	1:15.380	—	14
16	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:16.234	1:15.397	—	13
17	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	1:16.399	—	—	9
18	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	1:17.093	—	—	5
19	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	1:17.185	—	—	5
20	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	1:17.836	—	—	6
21	23	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	1:20.444	—	—	5
22	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	No time	—	—	2

Scott Speed did not get a time in Q1 after going out in the first corner.

Jarno Trulli, Christijan Albers and Sakon Yamamoto received a 10-place grid penalty for engine changes.

What happened in the 2006 German Grand Prix?

Kimi Räikkönen led initially but stopped after just ten laps, and a right-rear wheel problem lengthened the visit. The Ferraris moved clear, with Michael Schumacher establishing control ahead of Felipe Massa. Jenson Button led the pursuit while Fernando Alonso struggled further back, at one stage behind Mark Webber’s Williams.

Kimi Räikkönen recovered through an adjusted three-stop strategy and passed Jenson Button for third. Mark Webber ran strongly but lost a potential points finish to late engine trouble. Fernando Alonso moved ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella after his team-mate went off during the pit-stop sequence, while Jacques Villeneuve crashed out of his final Grand Prix.

Schumacher and Felipe Massa completed a comfortable one-two, followed by Kimi Räikkönen, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella. Jarno Trulli recovered to seventh and Christian Klien took eighth. Both Midlands were excluded after the race for illegally flexible rear wings, and Schumacher’s victory cut Fernando Alonso’s lead to 11 points.

After the race, Fernando Alonso headed the drivers’ standings with 100 points, followed by Michael Schumacher on 89. Renault led the constructors’ table on 149, with Ferrari on 139.

2006 German Grand Prix race results

The 2006 German Grand Prix was held on 30 July 2006, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	67	1:27:51.693	10
2	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	67	+0.720	8
3	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	67	+13.206	6
4	12	Jenson Button	Honda	67	+18.898	5
5	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	67	+23.707	4
6	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	67	+24.814	3
7	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	67	+26.544	2
8	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	67	+48.131	1
9	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	67	+1:00.351	0
10	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	66	+1 lap	0
11	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	66	+1 lap	0
12	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	66	+1 lap	0
Ret	9	Mark Webber	Williams	59	Water Leak	0
Ret	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	38	Gearbox	0
Ret	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	30	Accident	0
Ret	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	18	Engine	0
Ret	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	9	Brakes	0
Ret	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	2	Fuel Pump	0
Ret	23	Sakon Yamamoto	Super Aguri	1	Driveshaft	0
Ret	10	Nico Rosberg	Williams	0	Accident	0
DSQ	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	66	Illegal rear wing (+1 lap)	0
DSQ	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	65	Illegal rear wing (+2 laps)	0

Sakon Yamamoto started the race from the pit lane after changing the chassis of his Super Aguri after qualifying.

Christijan Albers and Tiago Monteiro originally finished 13th and 14th respectively were disqualified for having illegally flexing rear wings.

2006 German Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari	17	1:16.357	215.650
2	6	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	18	1:16.392	215.551
3	3	Kimi Räikkönen	McLaren	4	1:16.475	215.317
4	7	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	64	1:16.763	214.509
5	8	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	48	1:16.807	214.386
6	9	Mark Webber	Williams	43	1:16.812	214.372
7	12	Jenson Button	Honda	14	1:16.818	214.356
8	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	18	1:16.981	213.902
9	1	Fernando Alonso	Renault	66	1:17.256	213.140
10	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	51	1:17.407	212.724
11	21	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	50	1:17.450	212.606
12	15	Christian Klien	Red Bull Racing	49	1:17.719	211.870
13	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	24	1:17.811	211.620
14	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	16	1:18.029	211.029
15	19	Christijan Albers	Midland	35	1:18.247	210.441
16	18	Tiago Monteiro	Midland	46	1:18.718	209.182
17	17	Jacques Villeneuve	BMW Sauber	29	1:18.904	208.689
18	16	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	3	1:19.264	207.741
19	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	26	1:19.413	207.351
20	4	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren	2	1:19.649	206.737

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2006 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2006 German Grand Prix.

2006 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	Renault	100
2	Michael Schumacher	German	Ferrari	89
3	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Ferrari	50
4	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	49
5	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	McLaren	49
6	Juan Pablo Montoya	Colombian	McLaren	26
7	Jenson Button	British	Honda	21
8	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Honda	16
9	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	13
10	Nick Heidfeld	German	BMW Sauber	13
11	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	10
12	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	10
13	Jacques Villeneuve	Canadian	BMW Sauber	7
14	Mark Webber	Australian	Williams	6
15	Nico Rosberg	German	Williams	4
16	Pedro de la Rosa	Spanish	McLaren	2
17	Christian Klien	Austrian	Red Bull Racing	2
18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Toro Rosso	1
19	Scott Speed	American	Toro Rosso	0
20	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Midland	0
21	Tiago Monteiro	Portuguese	Midland	0
22	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Super Aguri	0
23	Yuji Ide	Japanese	Super Aguri	0
24	Franck Montagny	French	Super Aguri	0
–	Sakon Yamamoto	Japanese	Super Aguri	0

2006 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	Renault	149
2	Ferrari	139
3	McLaren	77
4	Honda	37
5	Toyota	23
6	BMW Sauber	20
7	Red Bull Racing	12
8	Williams	10
9	Toro Rosso	1
10	Midland	0
11	Super Aguri	0

2006 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2006 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	12 March
2	2006 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	19 March
3	2006 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	2 April
4	2006 San Marino Grand Prix	Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola	23 April
5	2006 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	7 May
6	2006 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	14 May
7	2006 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	28 May
8	2006 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	11 June
9	2006 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	25 June
10	2006 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	2 July
11	2006 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	16 July
12	2006 German Grand Prix	Hockenheimring, Hockenheim	30 July
13	2006 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	6 August
14	2006 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	27 August
15	2006 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	10 September
16	2006 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	1 October
17	2006 Japanese Grand Prix	Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka	8 October
18	2006 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	22 October