The camp fires burnt late last night in the forest surrounding the Hockenheimring, as close to 100,000 fans celebrated the sensational one-two for the Schumacher brothers, led by Ralf in the Jordan, in yesterday's practice for tomorrow's German Grand Prix.
The throng also wait in eager anticipation of a memorable race weekend where any one of three German drivers could be the victor.
The thousands of red Ferrari flags fluttering in the breeze indicate the good-natured fans' true favourite, and Michael Schumacher will be doing his level best to deliver. With rain disrupting yesterday afternoon's practice, Ralf Schumacher's quick morning lap remained the benchmark for the day, with Michael next up.
The rain caused an unusual end-of-day time sheet with the Williams 16th and 18th, Giancarlo Fisichella 19th and Eddie Ervine 10th.
'Schui' senior goes into tomorrow's 10th round of the 17-race championship just four points ahead of Jacques Villeneuve. These two are now pulling clear of the rest in the title chase. Heinz Harald Frentzen has a strong and loyal local following and tomorrow will be his best chance, to date, of a home victory - and to rebuff criticism of his erratic performance in the supreme Williams Renault.
For Ralf Schumacher, it will be his first home Grand Prix and both he and Eddie Jordan will be putting in an extra effort to ensure that the team's practice performance does not again vaporise into a mediocre race. `Schui' junior will inevitably benefit this weekend from the Jordan team shifting their focus to him and making him, effectively, their number one driver. There are three reasons for this shift in emphasis.
Firstly, Giancarlo Fisichella's announcement earlier this week that he is going to Benetton next year. Despite team denials, this does affect who gets preferential treatment when choices have to be made.
Secondly, Eddie Jordan and others have been disappointed with the Italian's performances.
Thirdly, this is Germany and Ralf is German - and one of the first pair of local brothers ever to start a German Grand Prix.
Ralf enjoyed yesterday's opening day of practice. "When you come out of the forest into the stadium section with the huge crowd cheering, it's a great feeling. Okay, I know most of them are here for Michael, but I enjoy it too. I am really happy to be fastest after two sessions, but we have a little understeer problem that we need to sort out for qualifying," he said.
The Jordan 197 has been the fastest car in a straight line at a number of tracks this year and during this afternoon's qualifying, they are expecting to be clocking over 215 mph at the end of the straights.
Hockenheim is the longest and fastest track on the Grand Prix calendar and the atmosphere was electric yesterday as daytime fireworks greeted Michael Schumacher every time he drove into the vast stadium complex. 'Schui' senior was second quickest as he fought to find a good race set up. "The car is good, but really, we haven't seen the Williams going for it yet. The real picture will be clear after qualifying," he said.
Eddie Irvine is not confident that his sequence of finishing 50 per cent of this year's races on the podium will continue tomorrow after finishing practice in 10th place. "It's going to be difficult" said the Ulsterman. "It's all about top speed here. We have the horse power - the engine is very good - but the air dynamics are hampering us a bit," said the Ferarri diver.
Irvine has been masterful at measured driving this year and with Hockenheim being very hard on engines, his ability to nurse the car may yet spoil some German celebrations tomorrow night.
