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Germany-England World Cup Clash Triggers Fever in F1 Paddock

The 2010 FIFA World Cup fever has once again hit the F1 paddock this weekend. After 2 weeks ago, during the Canadian Grand Prix, the McLaren Mercedes team decided to delay their daily briefing to watch England's World Cup opener against the USA, the clash between Fabio Capello's team and Germany in the first knock-out stage of the South African event has arose quite a passion within the F1 drivers.

With England finishing second in their group and Germany leading the way in theirs, the two teams will meet for what it will most likely be the highlight of the first knock-out stage of the World Cup, on Sunday. The match will start shortly after the chequered flag will have been waved over the European Grand Prix, giving everybody the chance to watch it with a beer in their hands.

Obviously, on England's side we have the last two world champions of Formula One Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, both part of F1's all-British team McLaren.

It's always exciting playing Germany isn't it? We love playing the Germans. It's a little sad it's so early in the tournament, but I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully the win has given them confidence and they are more relaxed because I know how it is when you feel under pressure to perform,” said Button, adding that England's defeat-less run at the World Cup should give Capello's boys the edge over Germany on Sunday.

It's going to be a tough game, but England are improving all the time, so I'm hoping they'll be at their best when we face Germany,” added Hamilton, who proved he knows a bit about football with the comment: “I'm sure they'll want to beat Germany more than any other team.” (as the rivalry between these two teams is widely known among football fans worldwide).

However, with Germany having the most active drivers in the F1 field, the paddock will not be such a pleasant place to watch the game for the two Brits. Obviously, the German group will be headed by 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who actually served as inspiration for the German squad before it left for South Africa a couple of months ago.

I'm sorry for the English-speaking nation on Sunday, what you have to face and go through. It's tough on you. We have better statistics. I'm sorry about that, but that's what it is,” said Schumacher.

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel also predicted a Germany win over England on the penalty shootout, while Nico Rosberg is convinced England don't stand a chance against Joachim Löw squad.

I think the English team is going to be so nervous at the start because they know that against the Germans there is just no way (they are going to win), as we've seen in World Cup history.
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