German Grand Prix 2009 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Mark Webber claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory with a dominant performance at the German Grand Prix, leading home Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull's third consecutive one-two finish and confirming their status as the sport's dominant force. However, the weekend was overshadowed by Felipe Massa's horrifying qualifying accident when a suspension spring from Rubens Barrichello's Brawn struck his helmet at high speed, causing life-threatening injuries that ruled the Brazilian out for the remainder of the season and cast a shadow over Ferrari's campaign.

Webber's pole lap of 1:32.230 gave him the perfect starting position at the Nürburgring, and the Australian converted that advantage into a flawless race performance. The 32-year-old controlled proceedings from the front with authority, managing his pace expertly while fending off occasional pressure from Vettel. Webber's victory - his first after 130 Grand Prix starts - was an emotional moment for a driver who had spent years in uncompetitive machinery before joining Red Bull. His delight was tempered by concern for Massa, whose accident had shocked the paddock and prompted urgent safety reviews regarding debris and helmet protection.

Vettel finished second, providing another Red Bull one-two that extended their constructor's championship challenge, while Ferrari's replacement driver - Luca Badoer, who hadn't raced in F1 for a decade - struggled badly in Massa's absence, highlighting the Brazilian's importance to the team. Jenson Button could only manage seventh after another difficult weekend, watching his championship lead shrink to just 21 points as Vettel closed in ominously. The race marked Red Bull's complete ascendancy - they had won three consecutive races with different winners, showcasing both pace and reliability. For Button and Brawn, the alarm bells were ringing loudly. The German GP would be remembered primarily for Massa's accident, which nearly cost him his life and certainly cost him any chance of the 2009 championship.