Brazilian Grand Prix: McLaren optimistic, Fernando Alonso aiming to repeat history
McLaren’s principal, Martin Whitmarsh is optimistic about his team’s chances of sealing both drivers' as well as constructors’ championships this season. The battle for F1 supremacy will now be fought in South America as Brazil prepares for the penultimate
race of the season next weekend.
McLaren’s ace driver, Lewis Hamilton is on 3rd spot and 21 points behind championship leader, Fernando Alonso whereas McLaren is 27 points behind the Red bull in constructors’ table. However, Whitmarsh believes that F1 is too unpredictable and results and
standings can change rapidly. Talking to reporters, McLaren’s principal said, “If Formula One has taught us one thing, it's to never give up hope until the odds are no longer possible, and that the most unexpected outcome can become a very real possibility
sooner than you can readily imagine. With that in mind, we go to Brazil, and then on to Abu Dhabi, still determined to wrest both world championships.”
McLaren enjoyed its share of luck in 2008 when Hamilton defied all odds to win his maiden F1 Championship. Coincidently, Hamilton's victory two years back also came in Brazil when he snatched the title on the final corner of the last lap of a sensational
race. According to Whitmarsh, Hamilton has a fair chance to win the championship this year whereas he will also be supporting the defending champion, Jenson Button’s bid despite latter’s difficult position.
Button is currently residing on 5th spot and his victory will be nothing more than a miracle. Commenting on it, Whitmarsh stated, “Lewis is well-placed in the drivers' championship. While Jenson lies 42 points adrift, he has vowed to fight on. As the reigning
world champion, he knows better than most that you can't lift the title without being a resolute fighter. That's exactly why we hired him, and we'll be supporting him fully this weekend.”
On the other hand, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is also confident that he will secure the championship in the forthcoming Brazilian GP. Each of his two championships was sealed at the Interlagos circuit. But, the Spaniard Alonso isn't getting complacent ahead
of the race and believes that history has little significance when it comes to such competitive season. Alonso is not taking his competitors easy and he believes that with new scoring system anything is possible.
Talking about Brazilian GP, he maintained, “Naturally, I've got great memories of this track because it was here that I secured my two titles, in 2005 and 2006. Every time I go to Sao Paolo it's a special feeling and the atmosphere is really great. I don't
want to think about the chances of history repeating itself for a third time.” Alonso believes that complacency on Ferrari’s part can turn the tide in the favour of his competitors. He said that his only focus will be to win the Brazilian GP leaving maths
for the Abu Dhabi which will host the final race.
Alonso currently enjoys 11 points lead over Red Bull’s Mark Webber, who dominated the proceeding for most part of the season only to be left perturbed by a resurgent Alonso in the last phase. Alonso showed incredible resilience this season as he fought back
from behind to clinch the top spot from the Australian Webber. With two races left, Alonso enjoys leverage over other contenders but still, it would be difficult for anyone to predict the result of the season right now.
Commenting on it, Alonso said, “I am back in the lead of the championship for the first time since way back after the Australian Grand Prix. However, we know that with this points system and the gaps as they are, the standings don't really mean that much:
it only takes one race - as indeed we saw in Korea - for the situation to turn itself round.”
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