F1 Special Edition: The strengths and weaknesses of top five drivers
This year has been a very intense for the Formula One drivers as well as their fans. They have witnessed a totally unexpected and unpredictable 2010 season right from the beginning. With fifteen races of the season already gone, the top five drivers stay
twenty five points adrift each other.
The Singapore Grand Prix held last week has further intensified the tug of war. The top five drivers namely, Mark Webber, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button stand head to head, now ready to backlash anyone who comes in their
way for the title. Following are some analysis and predictions for the racers as they enter the last four or probably three races of the season (Korean Grand Prix is still uncertain due to delayed construction work).
Mark Webber
Red Bull's Mark Webber though finished the last race at Marine Bay for third place on the podium, yet he was able to safeguard his top place in the Driver’s Standings. He has an advantage of 11 points over Fernando Alonso the Ferrari driver who holds second
place.
Webber has had the advantage of great pace and form all through the season, and the rest of the tracks are also expected to suit the team’s package brilliantly.
Fernando Alonso
After having a dull mid-season, Fernando Alonso has emerged as a very strong driver of the season. His Singapore victory has elevated him to 2nd place in the Driver’s Championship, further strengthening his probability for the title win.
Alonso has demonstrated a great pace in the last two races, proving to have a great car. The Monza and Marina Bay tracks are two opposite tracks in their nature and layout. Singapore offers the most challenging bumps and twists on its street track, whereas
Italy is the fastest track on calendar allowing great speed.
Above all, Alonso has the experience of being two times world champion, which gives him the added advantage of knowing all the tricks and tactics to deal with the stress and pressure that this part of the year serves - a lesson Webber still needs to learn.
Lewis Hamilton
The McLaren team is looking forward for the Korean Grand Prix as it is very important for its driver, Lewis Hamilton who stands at third place, 20 points behind the chart leader in the driver’s tally. Excluding twenty five points from the championship would
reduce his chances of closing the gap.
Only a month back, Hamilton and Webber were thought to be the strongest contenders. However, the three pointless finishes in past four races have dropped his chances immensely. Now, the only key to the Briton’s success is that he starts to take things comfortably,
reducing the stress and eagerness that has caused the previous mishaps.
Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull’s dominance witnessed on the track all through the season and some of the great races shown by Vettel earlier this season keep his hopes alive at the competition. However, one big fear for the two drivers of Red Bull, Webber and Vettel, is that
they might take off each other’s points for their rivalry has always been evident, as witnessed earlier at the Turkish Grand Prix.
Jenson Button
The other McLaren man who currently stands at fifth place, 25 points shy of Webber, claims that victory is only one race win away from him.
Button ended at second place in Italy, while Singapore saw him at fourth. Yet he is adamant not to safeguard his title until the last race of the season.
Unlike Marina Bay, the upcoming races of the season starting at Suzuka in Japan followed by Korea and later Brazil and Abu Dhabi are expected to suit the team nicely.
The chances of Hamilton, Vettel and Button hugely depend upon the decision of the Korean Grand Prix, as the teams would chalk their strategy depending upon the number of races.
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