However, unlike Istanbul, where almost 20,000 fans paid to see the F1 drivers at play on the famous Ali Sami Yen stadium, the German fans had different agendas on Wednesday night. Only 5,000 people attended the match between the Nazionale Piloti and a German all-star team played at Wiesbaden.
Needless to say, the team comprised of Formula One drivers (mostly) was captained by 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher, known to be a feverish fan of the sport. Local hero Sebastian Vettel was also a starter in the drivers' team, who managed to squeeze a 3-3 draw by the end of the regular time.
The drivers' side eventually lost the game at the penalty shootout.
A few days ago, it was Vettel himself who compared racing at the famous Nurburgring circuit with playing a football match: “theoretically no advantage, but nonetheless a source of additional stimulus,” as reported by the GMM news agency.
Championship rival Jenson Button did not attend the match. The Brit is not part of the Nazionale Piloti and therefore avoided a defeat before the start of his Nurburgring campaign this year. Whether Vettel's struggle on the football field on Wednesday will stand as an omen for the Sunday race, we'll find out in 3 days time.
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