Palmer targeting points and.. a beer in Germany

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Were it not for a costly mistake on lap 47 of last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Jolyon Palmer would be a happy Englishman in Hockenheim this morning.

Instead, Palmer will no doubt be forced to relive the disappointment of losing out on his first ever championship points as paddock pundits remind him of his mishap.

"It’s painful to look back on," Palmer admits as he recounts last Sunday's drama.

"I was well-placed in P10, I had the pace on those around me and I was driving really within myself.

"I wasn't exactly hanging anything out and hadn't had any big moments, everything was under control but then I lost the car in Turn 4.

"It’s difficult for me to understand why. I hadn’t experienced oversteer the whole race in that corner and then I turned in and lost the car completely. I had a massive snap and then I was pointing backwards."

Despite the setback, Palmer viewed his weekend in a positive light, and considers his team's pace as having been achieved on merit rather than through circumstance.

"The good news is that we didn't luck into our performance, which shows we have the pace and can do it again.

"We've made a big breakthrough so I think it will carry on for another couple of races. My first F1 points were there for the taking in Hungary and I didn't take them. I’m very eager to redress that situation in Germany."

Hockenheim however is one of the few venues where Palmer won't be able to rely on a wealth of knowledge and experience.

"It’s a circuit I haven’t raced at so much, as I’ve raced there only for two weekends previously. The two big features that stand out are the very long straight and the stadium section.

"Despite the changes to it over the years, it still has a really old-school feel to it, especially the arena section, which is very narrow and how close the fans can be there as well.

"It has a really nice flow, especially the second half of the lap, and a lot of slow and medium speed corners, which I quite like."

"It’s the last race before the August break so I may well treat myself to a nice German beer on the Sunday night."

While celebrating a few points, hopefully...

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.