Formula One: Alonso's victory chances shine brightly
The 2010 season has unfolded in the most unpredictable and uncertain manner. The action off the track as well as on it had been nerve tickling and awe- inspiring all through the year. One after the other round, the race fans have kept biting their nails
as they wait to be served with yet another surprise.
There had been very few seasons in Formula One history that showcased this kind of tug of war, the last seen in 1981. All the top five racers of the season, being equally competitive and the contention going on with the same intensity till the very end of
the rope.
Currently the quintet stands with a difference of just 24 points, while the top two rivals are only 11 points adrift each other.
Looking back at the way the season has unfolded, one does not dare to make any predication, yet the last race held in Singapore gave some very interesting clues.
The battle has tightened between the two men at the apex, Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
At Marina Bay last week, the battle took a new twist. The Ferrari driver bagged his second consecutive victory, while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton returned pointless, second time successively. This dropped the latter to third place while Alonso slipped to second
in the Drivers’ Championship, becoming the strongest contender for the title alongside Webber.
After greeting the season brilliantly, winning the season opener at Bahrain, Alonso faded behind the dark clouds of poor fate. However, at the German Grand Prix, he emerged once again and very swiftly became a threat for other title fighters.
On the other hand, the Red Bull driver stayed in the contention right from the beginning as the team provided him with the fastest car of the season. Yet, the way the season has moulded, much more than just a fast car is required to grab the final victory.
In Singapore last week, Alonso took his second victory of the track which also marked his fourth of the season, being the only driver after Webber to have done this so far. This victory has increased his chances of victory immensely.
Hamilton’s retirement at the last race marked his third pointless finish in last four races, thus showing a poor form or may be an over eagerness due to the immense pressure. With this, he becomes a lesser threat for the Championship, while Alosno takes
his place. Just a month back Webber and Hamilton were considered to be the toughest competitors.
Moreover, the last few rounds would also witness a severe battle within Red Bull and McLaren drivers, as these two teams have both their drivers’ running head to head which makes the teams’ attention divided. One the other hand, Alonso’s teammate, Felipe
Massa is out of the competition thus he does not have that fear any more.
In addition, the Ferrari car is doing a brilliant job as clearly demonstrated in the last two victories. The Monza and the Marina Bay Circuit are both as contrasting to each other as they could be and Alonso over performed at both. This stamps the fact that
he would be brilliant at all the rest of the tracks as well.
Last but not the least, Alonso has the advantage of winning a Formula One World Championship twice before as well. For the charts’ topper, Webber, this is his first experience of facing the stress and pressure of championship fight, while the former has
not only gone through this twice before but has won it as well.
Tags: