Balmy conditions and a softer-than-previous right-hand compound on the all-asymmetric tyres required at the quirky Sachsenring shared the credit for the absence of the usual crashes at the daunting Turn 11.

This fast right-hander, this year renamed in honour of the late former 250 star Ralf Waldmann, follows six increasingly quick left-handers, giving the right-hand-side of the tyre ample chance to cool down.

Since it is also over a blind brow, and culminates in a dizzying plunge down the so-called Waterfall, it has in the past been the scene of a number of sometimes injurious crashes.

This year there has not been one – nor in the smaller classes either.

By Michael Scott

Photos Gold and Goose