Mercedes expects

The German Grand Prix is a special event to the Mercedes Formula One team.

The all German team come to Hockenheim this weekend under pressure to perform in front of their home fans.

In Germany the Mercedes team has a following amongst German motorsport fans, but German drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg also have their own support who will all be hoping for a good performance this weekend.

The problem is the unpredictability of the 2012 Formula One season and the inconsistent form of Mercedes will mean that no-one will have much of a clue what to expect when the teams pull out of the pit-lane for the first time.

At times this season the Mercedes has been one of the cars to beat, Nico Rosberg dominated the weekend in China, taking his maiden pole position before converting that into his first ever race win, whilst in Monaco seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher topped the time sheets in qualifying, but unfortunately a grid penalty prevented him from starting from pole position.

But while the speed has been there at some tracks, at other circuits the Mercedes has simply been a mid-pack runner, failing to compete for the top points.

'Our performance has been up and down recently, ranging from podiums to lower points finishes, We need to work hard to improve our level of consistency and ability to challenge at the front.' Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn told the BBC.

The Mercedes team will hope that this weekend will be the start of that improvement, with upgrades coming just in time to hopefully impress the home support.

'The Hockenheim layout should be more suited to the F1 W03 than the high-speed Silverstone layout, We are bringing some further improvements to the car which should help our performance.'

The drivers know they need to impress in front of the German spectators.

Schumacher adding: 'This year is the first time that our Mercedes works team has been capable of racing right at the front and, because of that, we're hoping for lots of support from the fans and to reward them with our performance.'

Team-mate Nick Rosberg also said: 'I think our car should suit this track much better than Silverstone. Hockenheim has long straights and short corners, which will be good for the Silver Arrow,'