However, the best Nordschleife story of the weekend came from Kamui Kobayashi, who always makes the trek out onto the track whenever he is racing there.
This time, however, for a special treat for his girlfriend Yu he wanted to give her a high-speed lap of the Nordschleife – and it was going to be the first time she had ever been a passenger alongside him out on a race circuit. Kamui duly paid for four laps – but it didn't go quite to plan.
"We got out on to the track and after one corner she started crying," said Kobayashi. "I had to slow down and finish the lap very slow – about 60km/h. Very safe – but it was a very long lap. It took me nearly 20 minutes.
"I think I will have to sell my tickets at a discount price now. I paid 89 Euros for four laps – and only went around once!"