Watch out for Williams

The track will suit Juan Pablo Montoya and Williams

By BBC motor racing correspondent Jonathan Legard

Hockenheim has never had it so good.

Michael Schumacher against Ralf Schumacher. Mercedes against BMW. A new seven-year contract. Oh, and who can forget the prospect of a new Formula One record?

David Coulthard, for one, would love to.

Another Michael Schumacher lap of honour would convince all but the McLaren mathematicians that the world title had been decided.

But the weekend may not be so straightforward.

Putting aside the defending champion's frightening 180mph shunt at last week's Monza test session, Schumacher will be up against it on two fronts.

And Williams look likely to be even more threatening than McLaren.

Fast circuit

If there is one engine ready to eat up Hockenheim's endless straights - they are more like runways than roads - it is the BMW.

Ralf Schumacher proved the value of power when he won at Imola and Montreal.

He and Juan Pablo Montoya have had other chances to win but it is Hockenheim and Monza where both should fly.

Do not rule out a first all-Williams front row since 1997.

Michael is seeking a record 51st Grand Prix victory

Ferrari claim they will not be found wanting in a race of pace.

But traditionally they have found it harder on the really fast circuits.

Strangely Schumacher has won only once at Hockenheim - in his second title year in 1995.

He has never been on pole and only once has he started from the front row - in 1995.

If anybody has claim to be the current grid's most successful 'Ringer, it is Mika Hakkinen.

He won in 1998 from pole, started from pole in 1999 and but for that lunatic track invader last year would probably have denied Rubens Barrichello his glorious Kleenex moment in the rain.

Hakkinen's performance will be the subject of great interest.

Has Silverstone's emphatic victory at last kickstarted his season? Will he be called upon to help David Coulthard in the championship cause?

Has McLaren's Mercedes engine got the grunt to pitch for his first pole in almost a year? Has he put pen to paper on a new deal with McLaren?

Nobody is holding their breath on that one but it would be heartening to think that the flame of motivation is alight again for a second-half flourish.

If that inspires Coulthard to greater defiance in the face of Schumacher's overwhelming advantage in the championship, so much the better.

Certainly Coulthard cannot afford to lose his way like last year when he was kept out too long by the McLaren pitwall strategists.

Jordan does not have much to smile about at the moment

Jordan's decision to terminate Heinz-Harald Frentzen's contract with immediate effect will make for a delicate weekend under the yellow awnings.

The home crowd and the team's heavyweight German sponsors must be bewildered by the turn of events.

Confirmed for 2002 at the Nurburgring in June - sacked in July before Hockenheim!

It makes Jarno Trulli's recent criticisms look even more threatening. Jordan see him as their championship card.

Frentzen replacement

Ricardo Zonta stepped in for Frentzen in Canada, but is he their long-term option?

For the moment, he looks their only one.

Unless Honda choose to move their British Formula 3 title leader, Takuma Sato, from his current role as test driver with Honda's other team, British American Racing.

Names like Eddie Irvine and Jenson Button are almost certain to be bandied about as well.

Zonta will replace Frentzen for the German Grand Prix

As for Frentzen, he is considering legal action. He is also a contender for a seat with Toyota, along with Alexander Wurz, for next year.

For the neutral - if Hockenheim allows any through the gates - this year's event will have to go some to match the drama of 2000 when Barrichello beat the caped invader, the safety car and the weather to win.

For the red army with eyes for only one car, it could be the most predictable procession of the year - as long as Michael heads into the stadium in front of 120,000 people to take the chequered flag for a record equalling 51st time.

Alain Prost would never get near to shake his hand.