Age: 27
Number: 7
Team: Renault
Nationality: Spanish

Status
The double world champion is committed to staying with Renault and Fernando Alonso would love to drive for Ferrari. Perhaps it's a case of something getting lost in translation, but depending on which language he’s speaking, Fernando seems to be giving out a bit of mixed message to the press. To the French, Spanish and Italian reporters, he’s dreaming of a move to Maranello but to the Anglophones, he’s staying put. The only thing that’s really clear is that if you’re buying Fernando a birthday present later this month, it’s safe to say he’s already got that boxed set of Linguaphone tapes.

What's on your mind?
Vengeance!

Likes
Magic (honest – Fernando does card tricks)

Dislikes
McLaren. Everyone has demons: few people think theirs live in Woking

Looks like
Nigel Mansell (quick, brutal, paranoid… eyebrows)

Most likely to...
… rip the motorhome door off its hinges when crossed

Age: 21
Number: 15
Team: Red Bull Racing-Renault
Nationality: German

Status
As Fernando would tell you, if you’re being linked to Ferrari, then you must be doing something right. Seb is in the ascendancy; not only is Bernie urging him to go to Ferrari (“Bernie is sort of like Sebastian's secret manager,” explains Christian Horner), but he seems to be getting to Button. Heading to the German’s home GP, Jenson looked to capitalise on the rivalry between Seb and Mark Webber by suggesting the Aussie is the better man around the ‘Ring. "I think Mark is going to be quick here. He has more experience round here than Sebastian does. Sebastian has never raced in an F1 car here.” Mark then piled on the pressure by going quickest in first practice, so Seb will be eager to prove the championship leader wrong.

What's on your mind?
Can Giorgio Ascanelli still shout at me now I'm racing for a different team?

Likes
Anybody who doesn't compare him to Michael Schumacher

Dislikes
Being referred to as 'the new Schumacher'

Looks like
Michael Schumacher

Most likely to...
… become the new Schumacher

Age: 31
Number: 6
Team: BMW-Sauber
Nationality: German

Status
Nick’s BMW may be pants right now, but he’s found a way to stand out at his home race. Nick ran a competition to design a helmet for the Nürburgring and more than 9,000 fans responded. The winning effort by Tamas Simon was picked by the driver and his helmet designer Jens Munser and will be worn by Nick all weekend (not literally). But the good news is it’s to be auctioned for charity after the race. You can send your bids to auktion@spendenmarathon.de

What's on your mind?
Ignore the pitwall, ignore the pitwall...

Likes
Fine dining. (Does it affect his fitness? "It's not like we're playing tennis")

Dislikes
Being reminded that he's comfortably leading the all-time list of drivers finishing second without also recording a victory

Looks like
Stevie Winwood. Older than he looks; much-admired by his engineers; very good in Traffic...

Most likely to...
… be mistaken for a member of ABBA