Top three teams play up title hopes
Formula One’s current top three teams – Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari – have addressed their chances for the 2010 F1 title in reflection of last weekend’s thrilling Singapore Grand Prix. The famed night
race was led from start to finish by Ferrari’s virtuosic Fernando Alonso, who soared to second spot in the driver rankings to shake up the competition once more. Now, the top three teams are closer than ever, in what has become one of the most exciting seasons
in F1 history.
When questioned about his approach towards the remaining four races, Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali stated that maintaining mental strength would be key to victory. “What I know is [that] we
need to keep our feet on the ground and work hard,” stressed the Italian. “I’m never down when things are bad, and I never declare ‘fantastic’ when things are going well. The most important thing is to have a clear focus in front of us, and that’s what we
are doing.”
“Now with four races to go the situation is very open,” he added. “I’m expecting in Japan for McLaren to return very strong, [and] Red Bull is already strong so it will be difficult. The championship situation
is so complicated that we need to stay cool. But I believe we have everything to fight [for] up until the last race. I have always said that, and I maintain that position.”
As for Red Bull, who currently lead the constructor’s championship with 383 points, the season is far from over, with plenty left at stake with so many talented drivers in close contention.
“I think it is almost inevitable with the way it has swung backwards and forwards that this will go right down to the wire in Abu Dhabi,” predicted Red Bull boss Christian Horner. He added, “I sincerely
hope it doesn’t and I sincerely hope it is one of ours that ties it up well before that. But the likelihood is that with the quality of drivers and teams involved, this will go down to the wire.”
Despite Red Bull enjoying success at the Japan, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi tracks, Horner is reluctant to remain complacent about Red Bull’s strong chance of victory, but exudes a sense of confidence in the
team’s ability.
“You have to approach [it] race by race, as we have here," he explained. “We have scored more points than any other team. We have closed the gap with Sebastian [Vettel] and extended the lead with Mark
[Webber], so I think we have just got to address each race as it comes and make sure we maximise our performance. If we do that then hopefully we will be in good shape when we arrive in Abu Dhabi.”
Horner’s team remains a threat to suffering McLaren, who hopelessly lost out on points in Singapore when Jenson Button failed to earn a podium finish, and team-mate Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire
after a blown tyre incident.
“There are four races to go and a lot of championship points – 100 – on offer,” declared Whitmarsh. “And if there are 25 points covering the first five drivers, they must all fancy their chances.”
He added, “We have to continue to upgrade and develop our car, and we have an upgrade coming for the next race. I don't know what the other cars are going to do. All I know is [that] we have decent developments
and we will see, but we have to make our car quicker, [and] develop our package to push as hard as we can.”
With each team struggling to implement their vehicle with the best aerodynamic enhancements and prepare their drivers for what could be the biggest F1 season of their lives, no doubt the atmosphere in
the garage is full of suspense and exhilaration. The top five drivers – Alonso, Webber, Vettel, Hamilton, and Button will jump into the competition again on October 8 to 10 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Tags: