Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Hockenheim

Image source, Getty Images

It was, as expected, a tasty drivers’ briefing on Friday afternoon. The decision to postpone the halo head protection system until 2018 was not discussed until a Grand Prix Drivers’ Association meeting afterwards, which I will come on to shortly, but track limits at Turn One were. From now on, the outer edge of the kerb there will be defined as the edge of the track and anyone going beyond will be subject to investigation. 

There was also significant debate about Max Verstappen’s defence of his position from Kimi Raikkonen in Hungary last weekend. It transpires that all the drivers were in agreement that the Dutchman had behaved unacceptably - they felt his moving in the braking zone was beyond the pale. Verstappen, unsurprisingly, did not agree. The problem for the stewards is that there is no specific rule forbidding that, so it is difficult to know what can be done about it.

It's sunnypublished at 10:04 British Summer Time 30 July 2016

10:04 BST 30 July 2016

Want proof it is dry? Here it is. 

A beautiful day at Hockenheim.

One hour of final practice is under way! 

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are among those looking to head straight out. They've got medium tyres on. In fact, almost everyone that has gone out has got the white walled tyres on, apart from the Manors - they've gone for super-softs.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Aaaaaaaaand we're live on 5 live Sports Extra for final practice, where the regular presenting team have been joined by Allan McNish.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Hockenheim

How will the battle between the Mercedes drivers take shape this weekend? 

On Friday, Nico Rosberg appeared to have a bit of an edge over Lewis Hamilton, both on single-lap pace and in race trim, but neither seemed to feel that was particularly representative. 

Hamilton had had a couple of warnings over track limits at Turn One and was taking things easy from then on, keen to avoid what would be a third reprimand of the season and consequent automatic 10-place penalty. 

Hamilton said: “It was just not a great lap so I’m not particularly worried. I had good pace on the previous lap. It was just the one lap on the super-softs. we should be in a  good position tomorrow. It will be close for sure. Nico is pretty good here.” 

Rosberg added: “He hasn’t shown everything today. I don’t take his time too seriously and it will always ben a tough battle with him tomorrow when he starts to push.”

Pascal Wehrlein is pretty handy on drums, it seems. Who knew? 

Do you know of any other hidden talents F1 personalities past and present had/have? (I know that technically they are not hidden if you know of them, but you get what I mean!). If you can't think of any, then get inventive! What hidden talents do you suspect the current crop of drivers have?

Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Lewis Hamilton has won five of the last six races, so what does Nico Rosberg have to do to stop him?

Tom Clarkson ponders that very question as he previews this weekend in the video above.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer at Hockenheim

Image source, Getty Images

Mercedes appeared in a race of their own on Friday but will that be the case again when it matters in qualifying this afternoon? 

In theory, this is the sort of track where Ferrari should at least pose a more serious threat than they did in Silverstone and Hungary. 

Sebastian Vettel said: “On one lap, it was OK.” And Nico Rosberg added: “Today it looked like they were quite far away but we have seen that so many times on Friday and then Saturday they are right there with us so let’s be careful and keep pushing.”

Image source, F1.com

Hello!

Unless you are sat about wearing one of the above this morning, you'll probably be feeling a little glum about your team's chances of victory at tomorrow's German Grand Prix.

It was Mercedes' day on Friday. Well, more specifically Nico Rosberg's day as he finished fastest in both practice sessions.

That would suggest there's more chance of Cristiano Ronaldo going a day with fluffy hair than there is of a non-Mercedes on pole today. 

Nevertheless, the Rosberg-Lewis Hamilton battle is tightly poised, and should prove an interesting one come qualifying later today.

What do the pacific ocean...

Image source, Getty Images

...Milky Way...

Image source, Getty Images

...and Cristiano Ronaldo's hair gel collection have in common?

Image source, Getty Images

They are all big, but not quite as big as the dominance Mercedes have enjoyed this season.

And, judging by Friday's showing, that looks unlikely to change this weekend.