LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)
To get involved use Twitter, 606 or text us on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide) with F1 before your message. (Not all contributions can be used. Messages will be charged at your standard operator rate.)
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By Mark Orlovac
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BBC Sport's Sarah Holt in Valencia: "Is there any England v Germany banter in the Formula 1 paddock? Of course, there is! 'It's always exciting playing Germany isn't it?' said England fan Jenson Button. 'I know how it is when you feel under pressure to perform and hopefully the team are more relaxed now. We haven't lost a game yet so that's the way we've got to look at it - stay positive!' On the other side of the fence, Michael Schumacher, a Deutschland hero in his own right, reckons it'll be a tough match but fully expects Germany to win. There's some interesting rivalry at the Mercedes motorhome - the team are based in Brackley, employ mainly British staff but are now owned by the German car giant. How to work out where the loyalties lie? 'I just think may the best team win,' was the diplomatic answer from Manchester United fan and team boss Ross Brawn. 'Thank you very much,' came the dry response from German fan and Silver Arrows chief Norbert Haug. Just to make things clear, however, there's talk Mercedes will split the motorhome with German fans on the ground floor and England fans one floor up. Interesting."
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1139: Here's the plan of action for today. The race begins at 1300 BST with coverage on BBC Two - note the change of channel there - starting at 1210 BST. I wonder who has got the white jeans on today? You can also catch the race on the radio with David Croft and the team on BBC Radio 5 live. All of that lot is streamed at the top of this page and for the rest of you poor souls, you've also got me tapping away on this text commentary. You lucky things.
1134: So there's one German team that are struggling this weekend. Yes, I know there might be a bit of focus on a certain World Cup match in South Africa today but that is no excuse to miss out on this race in Valencia as it will finish just in time for kick-off. Nice timing. You could treat it as a way of taking your mind off the football for a bit. That might be a bit difficult in this office, however, as someone has brought in their own home-made vuvuzela. I despair. Anyway, get involved with all your predictions and banter via the usual channels: you can
Tweet,
606
or text us on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). If you going to text, could you do me a favour and put F1 before your message as there might be a few people trying to get in touch today!
1129: Morning all and welcome to our coverage of the European Grand Prix in Valencia. Despite Red Bull returning to pole position after a one-race hiatus, it was Mercedes' worst qualifying session of the season that made a lot of the headlines. The team came into the race with a major aerodynamic upgrade but they start with Schumacher in 15th while team-mate Nico Rosberg is 12th on the grid. Here's team boss
Ross Brawn:
"We need to reflect, assess and see what our next steps should be. We are pushing very hard to develop the car and sometimes in pushing so hard, you trip over."
1125: With the pressure building, speculation mounting and results slipping, many a man would find it all too much. But you need a bit of steel to win seven world titles and we all know that Michael Schumacher is
not a man for turning.
"I'm not here with a short-term view," he said after his worst qualifying performance of the year. "From my point of view we have a three-year programme. I've had to deal with much worse pain."
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