Tale of the unexpected

Johnny Herbert: 1999 winner at the Nurburgring

BBC motor racing correspondent Jonathan Legard takes a look at the events that have made the Nurburgring one of Formula One's most famous circuits.

The modern day Nurburgring circuit bears no resemblance to the fearsome 14 mile monster which almost consumed Niki Lauda in a mountainside fireball in 1976.

So it is surprising the new look track has produced as much incident as it has in recent years.

Nicky Lauda was lucky to escape in 1976

There was Jacques Villeneuve's first F1 victory in only his fourth race in 1996.

Ralf Schumacher collected his championship-chasing brother into the gravel at the first corner in 1997, before both runaway McLarens exploded in a puff of white smoke in front of the Mercedes grandstands.

And then there was last year when Johnny Herbert crowned Stewart Ford's final year by winning from 14th on the grid while the rest slithered and dithered in the rain.

The 1999 European Grand Prix set a standard of entertainment unrivalled for many seasons.

But it is probably hoping for too much to enjoy a repeat performance, although rain in such a mountainous region can never be discounted.

McLaren recovery

The Barcelona result two weeks ago suggested that the battle between Ferrari and McLaren has at last been joined with intent by the Woking crew.

After a sluggish opening to the year, two successive 1-2 finishes will have done wonders for McLaren confidence.

Significantly there are sure signs that the title race this time round is a three way contest.

David Coulthard's performances in Britain and Spain indicate a genuine self-belief that he has the necessary qualities to overcome his teammate, Mika Hakkinen, and Michael Schumacher.

His barely-concealed anger and frustration over the mechanical problems which wrecked his qualifying session revealed a new steel.

Likewise his overtaking manoeuvres in the last two races.

Coulthard has rested at home in Monaco since Spain. Three broken ribs tend to have that effect.

But McLaren expect him back on duty at the weekend, determined to maintain his championship momentum.

Hakkinen tested hard in Jerez last, and knows how the job should be done at the Nurburgring.

He overwhelmed the opposition in 1998 in a drive which really defined his first championship year.

No fear

Nonetheless as far as Michael Schumacher is concerned the onus is on McLaren to keep up the chase.

He is 14 points clear of Hakkinen and will tell you until he is blue in the face that Ferrari fear no car and no track this year.

But having run over three people in the pitlane this year clearly he has not got everything right.

McLaren finished with a one-two in Spain

Rubens Barrichello should feel the same way. Beating Schumacher as Schumacher's teammate is proving every bit as testing as he thought.

And following their spat in Barcelona who is not looking forward to the next instalment of Schumacher versus Schumacher?

Jordan would probably enjoy such distractions if it played into their hands.

Last year's third placed team has struggled to take the fight to the top two but Frentzen is on home ground and Trulli knows the Nurburgring from his days as German F3 champion.

"Since Barcelona we have not had any problems," said technical director, Mike Gascoyne.

"We are confident that our reliability worries are behind us."

If only the same could be said about Jaguar.

Five races into their debut season they have not a single point on the board.

After last year's thunderstorms in their favour, surely lightening can't strike twice - can it?