Formula One Highlights: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Raceday.
Part 6
The bid for the title was getting clearer by the lap – Sadly for Alonso, he looked to be getting the shorter end of the stick in the matter.
Jenson Button set his personal fastest time at the front. Sebastian Vettel, just behind him, hit back with another fastest lap. Meanwhile, Sebastien Buemi turned his Toro Rosso toward pit lane. The only drivers still to pit were Jenson Button, Robert Kubica, Adrian Sutil, Heikki Kovalainen and Timo Glock.
The race entered the 39th lap and both the Renaults were proving to be a pain in the neck for Hamilton and Alonso. The McLaren was struggling to get past Kubica while Alonso was stuck behind Petrov. The braking system was taking a beating here as the cars in pursuit were braking as late as they could in order to carry more momentum into the turn. The Renaults however, kept the door shut at all times.
The start of the 40th lap saw Jenson Button finally making his way towards pit lane. The British driver slapped on a set of harder compound Bridgestones and rejoined the track in 4th position; behind the Kubica – Hamilton battle. Vettel consequently, retook the race lead. With a clear set of track ahead of him, Vettel was expected to put in improved lap times.
The only drivers in the top 15 still to pit were Robert Kubica and Adrian Sutil. Vettel was comfortable at the front – the championship was very much within his sights! He was on course to become the youngest ever world champion in the history of the six decade sport if he were to win it. Alonso still looked to have his say on the fate of the title as he was closer than before to Petrov – Could he get past?
Jenson Button made full use of the fresh set of tyres as he posted the fastest time for lap 42. Meanwhile, Vettel seemed to have some issues with his radio; probably a minor hiccup for the Renault powered car that evidently reduced the Ferraris and McLarens to mere ‘best of the rest’ on the weekend.
Alonso needed to finish 4th to take the championship. That meant he needed to get past 3 more cars on track. These were effectively Petrov, Rosberg and Button. While it looked plausible that the might of the Ferrari would make the Renault and Mercedes bow out on track, conquering the McLaren ahead seemed to be a tall order; especially with Button pushing hard on his new tyres.
11 laps remained in the race. Robert Kubica and Adrian Sutil were the only drivers still to stop. Both teams apparently chose to leave it late. For the Force India, it made sense to try and make the move on the drivers at the edge of the top 10, point scoring positions – Remember, only 1 point seperated Williams and Force India in the constructor’s championship. Robert Kubica however, seemed to be the most improved and arguably, the most lucky driver on track – After failing to make it through the final session of qualifying, the Polish driver had made a lot of ground to be able to find himself in 2nd position!
Alonso continued to apply pressure on Petrov. The Spaniard was looking increasingly aggressive. But it was beginning to appear that it was too little too late for the Ferrari ace who needed to be incredibly lucky from thereon in to win the championship.
Team Renault finally sprang to their feet and got ready for a pitstop for Kubica – Relief for Hamilton! The Renault took on the softer compound tyre and rejoined in 6th, ahead of Petrov and Alonso! This made it even harder for Alonso in his quest for 4thplace. It was a great strategy by Renault, nonetheless. Hamilton was finally getting used to life without a Renault in front and set the quickest lap time for lap 47.
The race was heading to its dying stages.
Stay tuned for the action from Lap 48 and onwards...
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