This weekend is the big one. After sixteen rounds of this year’s ultra competitive Formula One season, three drivers are on the verge of winning the drivers’ title in Brazil. Will it be Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso or even Kimi Raikkonen who will take home the greatest prize in F1?
Well, let’s talk about the three contenders starting off with British sensational Lewis Hamilton. The Formula One rookie is currently leading the standings with 107 points, despite his mishap in China after staying out too long on extremely worn out Bridgestones… The McLaren driver has been leading the championship since the beginning and he looks the ideal candidate to become the sport’s youngest ever champion. Lewis needs to win the Brazilian Grand Prix or finish close behind his main rival, Fernando Alonso, to clinch his first ever title. If Hamilton manages to do this, it will be the greatest achievement ever for a Formula One rookie. In addition, the first British champion since Damon Hill back in 1996!
It’s fascinating to see the amount of press coverage, in particular the UK, on Lewis Hamilton this year. It’s great for the sport, as Formula One has become mainstream attracting new audience who are not fans of motor racing or F1. In addition, his achievements (nine consecutive podium finishes and four Grand Prix victories) is nothing short of amazement that has even inspired a whole generation of young British drivers – who are starting in karting – to become the next big thing. It is such a privilege that the ‘brand’ of Lewis is making F1 popular and if he wins the championship, it will be the greatest story in the modern era of motor racing.
His arch-rival in the championship is his very own team-mate Fernando Alonso. The double world champion is only four points behind but he has a slight chance of winning his triple title bar any incidents in Sao Paulo… Since voicing his opinions strongly to the Spanish press about his unfair treatment at McLaren all year, in particular his tense relationship with Ron Dennis (team boss at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) and Hamilton, Fernando has become the ‘villain’ of Formula One. Many fans have questioned his comments about giving the team ‘six tenths of a second’ since he joined from Renault that some believe he has become too arrogant. I must admit, Fernando should stop mouthing his selfish opinions and just get on with the job of winning races. Yes, you are threatened by your team-mate’s startlingly pace in the other silver car, but you have the racing experience to beat him! So shut up and just drive the wheels of that MP-22 and win the championship to silence all those doubters! That’s the best way to settle the score at McLaren, no matter if you want to get out as soon as possible…
As for the whole spygate controversy, that has rocked the politics of Formula One this season, the simple fact that Alonso and team test driver Pedro de la Rosa were involving in exchanging technical information with Ferrari makes me believe that Alonso wants to leave the team immediately. You can really sense the tense atmosphere in the pit garages at McLaren, as the Spaniard believes the team are not giving him the fair sporting treatment a double world champion deserves…
Right, lets focus on the third candidate who has an outside chance of winning the championship – Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. The ‘Iceman’ has had an uneasy time settling in the Ferrari team after Michael Schumacher announced his retirement late last year. It was a difficult trial period for the Finn and Scuderia, but since Kimi is regarded as the fastest driver in Formula One, it was fantastic to see his first victory in the opening Grand Prix in Melbourne. You would expect the Finn to romp to countless race wins and possibly the championship, but since that race win in Australia, Kimi seems to be struggling to adapt to his ‘aggressive’ driving style in the red car running on the hard (and control) Bridgestone tyres… But after a few races, he was back on form by winning Grands Prix and setting fastest laps. Raikkonen’s victory in Shanghai was crucial as he has a somewhat decent opportunity to win the title. Okay, he is seven points behind Lewis Hamilton and the odds are stacked against him, but he loves a challenge and if the Ferrari is fast on the bumpy Interlagos circuit, you can expect the Iceman to put on an impressive drive. Team-mate Felipe Massa could play a joker hand by providing support and going for the home victory himself! But in a recent interview, Massa would do whatever it takes to support Kimi’s title ambitions.
So who will win the ultimate prize in Formula One? To be honest, I would like to see Alonso or Raikkonen to triumph, as both have driven superbly all season. Yes, Lewis Hamilton is in the prime position to succeed and many fans will be supporting him to win it. But I really want to see Alonso winning his third title or perhaps Kimi’s first! We shall find out who will be spraying the champagne on Sunday evening. Let battle commence!