Lewis Hamilton wins 2008 German Grand Prix

July 20, 2008

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the FIA Formula One 2008 Großer Preis Santander von Deutschland at the Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany. The last time a McLaren driver won the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim was 10 years ago when the Finn Mika Häkkinen won the 1998 race.

Rookie Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr., son of three-time Formula One champion Nelson Piquet, came second after starting 17th on the grid. Timo Glock Toyota crashed due to a sudden rear suspension failure. Piquet even took the lead for a short time in the last part of the race, but his Renault was unable to compete with Hamilton's pace. Hamilton was able to regain the lead after losing it through a mis-timed pit-stop.

Another Brazilian, Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa came third.

Nick Heidfeld finished 4th for BMW Sauber from his twelfth position on the starting grid.

Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) dropped from third to fifth, finishing in front of another Finn Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari).

Robert Kubica's kept 7th place throughout the race, but was beaten by his BMW teammate Heidfeld.

The young German driver Sebastian Vettel racing for Toro Rosso, and who has signed for Red Bull team for the next season, scored one point. He finished ahead of Jarno Trulli (Toyota) and Fernando Alonso (Renault).

Official standings: