German Car Zone

Germany wants own anthem for McLaren wins
11/04/07 09:35



The Woking-based team celebrate in Malaysia…
A controversy in Germany is brewing over the anthem played on the podium following Fernando Alonso's victory for McLaren Mercedes in Malaysia.

After German commentators hailed the win as a triumph for the three-pointed star, some viewers were surprised to hear Britain's 'God Save The Queen' mark the occasion for the winning constructor.

McLaren is based in England, but Mercedes-Benz - with a 40 per cent stake in the team - is the largest shareholder.

The major German newspaper Bild-Zeitung argues that the national anthem 'Das Lied der Deutschen' - made so famous on the F1 podium by the 91 victories of Michael Schumacher - should be played whenever a McLaren greets the chequered flag first.


On behalf of Germany, Bild said the McLaren MP4-22 is 'OUR car!'

"It is difficult to understand," said former German F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck.

"The heart of the silver arrows is in Germany," he added, referring to Mercedes motorsport's Stuttgart HQ.

Mercedes' Norbert Haug reacted: "I can understand the feeling of the German fans. But we are an international team and the really important thing is that we win, not what is heard on the podium."

Source GMM
CAPSIS International
F1-live.com

That's the great reaction and a simple answer!

The team is called McLaren Mercedes and not Mercedes McLaren.

That would mean the national anthem played after each McLaren victory would have to be "God Protect New Zealand".

I have never understood why is the team british, did bruce created it in england ?

Funny, I wonder if the German people are now as Nationalistic about Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Mini, Skoda, and Seat.

Do Americans feel the same about Jaguar, Volvo, and Saab?


It does bring up the important point though. Mercedes is no longer a German brand -- it is a global brand ....a fact that some Germans obviously do not comprehend. The truth is, DCX is like every other multi-national corporation -- there is no place for Nationalism .....that is so last century.

Khmmmm ...

When BMW Sauber wins someday ... What anthem will be played at such occasion: German or Swiss? Since the team is still based in Switzerland.





I guess the Swiss one.

Poor Germans.

I love the German National Anthem ....it was written by Haydn, one of my favourite composers.

No the team is german.

That would imply that they'll have to wait for Toyota to win.