The race saw the return of the Nürburgring after the Hockenheimring hosted last year's event.

Last year's feature race winner, Giorgio Pantano, did not take part.

The sprint race winner Karun Chandhok did compete though.

He is only the second driver to complete this feat, after Nelson Piquet Jr. did so in 2006.

Hülkenberg left his home country with the championship lead.