Nurburgring offers Hamilton little comfort as he looks to catch Vettel

After what he describes as “eventful” races in 2007 and 2009 at the Nurburgring – which shares the German Grand Prix with Hockenheim on alternate years – Hamilton knows it is pointless attempting to second guess how he might fare this weekend.

In his two races for McLaren at Hockenheim, Hamilton has finished first and fourth, but the Nurburgring has not been kind to the 26-year-old as he was ninth four years ago and 18th and last in 2009.

“The last time we were here it was such a mixed weekend,” said Hamilton.

“We’d been struggling with the car in the early races of the season and the guys back at the factory had been working around the clock to find a solution.

“From my very first lap I could feel the difference in the car. It had been transformed.

“I qualified well, got a really good start thanks to the KERS (power-boost system), and I was just about in front at the first corner when I was hit from behind and picked up a puncture, which damaged the car.

“In 2007 we had that crazy race with a huge downpour after just a few laps.

“I’d pitted for rain tyres after again getting a puncture, but even with those it was too slippery.

“I just hit some standing water and went straight off, along with several other drivers, in the same place.”

Hamilton trails Sebastian Vettel by 95 points going into the 10th race of the 19-round season.

Karun Chandhok is to make his Team Lotus racing debut this weekend.

Chandhok will replace Jarno Trulli, his first race since being ousted by Hispania Racing midway through last season.