German GP grid: Lewis Hamilton starts 14th, Daniel Ricciardo last

Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday’s German GP, exclusively live on Sky Sports F1, from 14th on the grid.

Daniel Ricciardo will start on the back row after taking new engine components, while Hamilton’s hydraulic failure in qualifying meant he wasn’t able to post a time in Q2 and he is therefore 14th on the grid.

Ricciardo will be joined on the back row by Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly after the team and engine suppliers Honda chose to make a ‘tactical’ change of engine parts after the Frenchman was knocked out in Q1.

German GP exclusively live on Sky F1, lights out at 2.10pm on Sunday

The struggling Stoffel Vandoorne had qualified slowest of all, but is promoted off the back row to 18th.

But it’s the prospect of the out-of-position Hamilton and Ricciardo racing their way back through the field which could illuminate the 67-lap race.

“We can have a little battle to see who gets through the field quicker,” quipped Ricciardo. “Who’s my money on? I’d like to say me, but they’ve got pretty good pace. But I think we’ll be alright, I’ll have a good crack.”

28:50 Sky F1's Ted Kravitz gives his thoughts on Saturday's qualifying session at the German GP.

Although he starts on row 10, Ricciardo said of his race hopes: “Anything is possible, but realistically the minimum should be sixth. That should be the target. If everyone finishes, sixth is the realistic minimum but if I finish sixth I probably won’t be that happy. I’d like to think more is possible.”

Hamilton, who starts five places higher, is more wary about the opportunities for overtaking Hockenheim might offer – but says he will try to share his Red Bull rival’s optimism.

“Whilst you have that nice long straight at the back, it’s not that easy to overtake here. It’s one of the hardest circuits, particularly following in that last sector,” said Hamilton.

“We do have a new DRS zone, a longer DRS zone at the back, so that might help but it’s not an easy circuit. It’s not like Silverstone. Silverstone is quite open and wide and not as hard on the tyres as it is here.

“But Daniel’s a super optimistic person, which is great. That’s why he’s loved so much by so many and that’s why he’s a great character in the field. I will try to share the same optimism as him.”

Here’s the provisional German GP grid, with the race live on Sky Sports F1 at 2.10pm.

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
3. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5. Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6. Romain Grosjean, Haas
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
8. Carlos Sainz, Renault
9. Charles Leclerc, Sauber
10. Sergio Perez, Force India
11. Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12. Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
13. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
14. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
15. Esteban Ocon, Force India
16. Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17. Lance Stroll, Williams
18. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
19. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
20. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso

The last six times Hamilton has started lower than 10th…

Can Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes bounce back at the German GP? Watch live on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday. Sky Sports F1 is the only place to watch every Formula 1 Grand Prix, qualifying and practice session live in 2018. Get Sky Sports F1.

Also See:

• Find out more about Sky F1
• When’s the German GP on Sky F1?
• WATCH: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
• Hamilton’s car breaks down in qualy

Sourse: skysports.com