Rudolf Caracciola was hit next: He had to give up in lap twelve – with a suspected sunstroke and blisters on the soles of his feet from the overheated pedals. Caracciola recalled the ordeal: “Tropical searing sun, blinded, roasted by the heat, thirsty, worn-out – on top of that, the car’s incredible weight, which on every lap had to be forced through 180 turns”. But the German Grand Prix continued for Mercedes-Benz. Because at the time, it was customary that a racing car was driven by several drivers in a race. Willy Walb, who made it back to the box from his march in time, was the first to take over Werner’s vehicle with race number 4. Werner filled in for Caracciola despite his injured shoulder. Rubberised insulating tape from the tool box kept the joint in place. Werner drove the Type SS with race number 6 for two laps, then Caracciola took over again for two laps, before Werner finally crossed the finish line as the winner with an average speed of 103.9 km/h. Merz and Walb finished in second and third place.
