German Grand Prix 2005 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Fernando Alonso reasserted his championship authority with a commanding victory at the German Grand Prix, controlling the race from start to finish to beat Juan Pablo Montoya and Jenson Button at Hockenheim. The Spaniard's sixth win of the season came despite Kimi Raikkonen claiming pole position and setting the fastest lap, as McLaren's speed advantage was once again undermined by strategic execution and Alonso's superior racecraft.

Raikkonen's pole lap of 1:14.320 demonstrated the McLaren MP4-20's raw speed at Hockenheim's high-speed layout, but the Finn couldn't convert that pace advantage into a race victory. Alonso, starting from the front row, executed a perfect race strategy and seized control early, managing his Michelin tires brilliantly through Hockenheim's demanding combination of slow hairpins and long straights. His victory was never in doubt once he established his lead, and he controlled the pace expertly to preserve his tires while keeping Montoya at a comfortable distance. The win extended Alonso's championship lead to a commanding margin with just a handful of races remaining.

Montoya drove a strong race to secure second place for McLaren, demonstrating improving form as he adapted to his new team. Button claimed his first podium since the Spanish Grand Prix with third place for BAR, providing the Honda-powered team with a much-needed morale boost after a difficult mid-season period. Raikkonen set the fastest lap but suffered another frustrating result, unable to translate McLaren's qualifying pace into victory due to strategy and tire management issues. Alonso's consistent excellence was proving decisive - while others were faster on occasion, the Spaniard was relentlessly accumulating wins and podiums, building an almost insurmountable championship lead. His German triumph moved him to the brink of his first World Championship title.