Vettel bids for first F1 victory at home

HOCKENHEIM, Germany - The Associated Press

Red Bull’s German driver Sebastian Vettel drives during the first practice session at the Hockenheim circuit.

Sebastian Vettel has never won his home race at the German Grand Prix despite winning the past two Formula One championships. He can change that Sunday.

It’s also a chance for Michael Schumacher to win his first race in the third season of his comeback at Mercedes. Schumacher has a record four victories at the Hockenheim circuit, but the German car manufacturer is still waiting for its first home win since 1954.

The German GP will mark the halfway point in the season. In the previous nine races, only two drivers have a pair of wins: championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari and Mark Weber of Red Bull. Alonso has 129 points and Weber, who won the last race in Britain, has 116.

Vettel has only one win this season with Red Bull to be third on 100 points, 104 fewer than he had at this stage last year. 

He will be trying to get closer to the lead when racing close to his hometown of Heppenheim.