German Grand Prix 1994 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Gerhard Berger claimed a popular home victory at Hockenheim, dominating from pole position in his Ferrari while the championship contenders encountered problems. The race turned chaotic when Michael Schumacher's Benetton suffered a mechanical failure, catching fire during his pit stop when fuel spillage ignited. The dramatic pit fire injured several Benetton crew members and led to investigations into the team's refueling equipment. Damon Hill also retired with mechanical issues, allowing Berger to cruise to victory ahead of the Ligier-Renault duo of Olivier Panis and Éric Bernard.

The victory was Berger's first since 1992 and proved emotional for the Austrian driver at a German circuit near Ferrari's fanbase. However, the pit fire incident dominated post-race discussions, with Benetton accused of removing a fuel filter to speed up refueling times, a modification that could increase fire risk. The FIA launched an investigation that would add to the controversies surrounding Benetton's 1994 season, though the team denied any wrongdoing.