Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Team wise qualifying analysis (Part 1)
Finally, the Formula One cars get ready to enter the last and the final race of the 2010 season. This Saturday auto racing fans saw the most crucial qualifying session of the calendar at the Yas Marina Circuit, just ahead of the
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Today, Sunday, evening will unfold the last round of the most unforgettable and exhilarating season in 60 years of Formula One history.
All the top four drivers of the season, Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton remain equally adamant to backlash at anyone who comes in their way to the World Championship.
The flames of rivalry were evident on the qualifying track, which may turn into an unquenchable fire on the final race day. Only one of the drivers will be able to lay hands on the 2010 championship after a fierce battle between
24 gladiators all through the season.
Like many of the other qualifying sessions this season, the Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel was the quickest man on the track. Having bagged the tenth pole position this year, the driver walked out of the track happy with his
endeavour of the evening. Now, he is looking forward to a perfect start of today’s race.
On the other hand, his teammate, Mark Webber saw his hopes fading away after managing just the fifth place on the grid. Sandwiched between the Red Bull duo stood the other two championship contenders, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando
Alonso, along with the 2009 World Champion, Jenson Button.
A puzzling and awe-inspiring grid is ready to witness the most spectacular season of the sport’s history.
Red Bull
The Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel marked his best timing of 1m 39.394s thus, securing the 10th pole position of the season, the highest for any driver this year. On the other hand, his teammate Mark Webber, settled for 5th place
with his time of 1m 39.925s.
This result excites Vettel, as the final contention has become somewhat easier for him. While in contrast to this, the race day spells a big challenge for Webber, who was stunned by the performance of his RB6 at the second sector
where the grip kept decreasing thus, leaving him six-tenths off his teammate’s finest time.
Now, the chances of bagging a consecutive victory for Vettel have become clear. However, the chances of title remain uncertain for him as his current 15 points’ difference from the charts’ topper, Alonso, could deprive him from
the title even if the latter is able to finish at 4th place.
For Webber, if he is able to bag victory while Alonso finishes below second place he can lay his hands on the first championship of his career. Moreover, Vettel also exclaimed only a day earlier that after looking at the situation
during the race, if required, he is ready to help his teammate in clinching the title.
McLaren
Although the end of the season has not turned out as planned for the British team yet, last evening’s qualifying has brought hope for the team once again.
The team’s ace, Lewis Hamilton, marked his best lap in 1m 39.425s securing the second place on the grid. In the meanwhile, his teammate, Jenson Button, was able to get hold of the 4th grid place with 1m 39.823s.
Now that Button is out of the battle contention, his good finish would be very helpful for Hamilton, who is in a very grave situation at the moment. Although the chances of the 2008 champion are very rare now yet, he is adamant
to give up.
Moreover, both the practice sessions as well as yesterday’s qualifying saw the driver flee aggressively through the track while his MP4-25 also performed brilliantly.
To be continued…
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