Where the Formula One championship will be won and lost
Seven races left. Five drivers split by 20 points. A mistake from any driver now will cost them their chance of becoming this year’s Formula One world champion.
Top of the tree is Red Bull’s Mark Webber with 161 points, four points ahead of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton. Behind Hamilton is Webber’s teammate Sebastian Vettel, with 151 points, who is closely followed by McLaren’s reigning world champion Jenson Button on 147 points, and the sole Ferrari of Fernando Alonso on 141 points.
Formula One is currently on a three-week break, and the racing resumes at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, on August 29th.
Spa-Francorchamps is a huge favourite among the Formula One drivers, and is only one of the few old-style circuits left, with long straights and the unique climb up Eau Rouge. Last year, Kimi Räikkönen won for Ferrari, and once again the track will suit Ferrari. Obviously, Red Bull will be the team to beat, so expect both of these teams to challenge for the win, with McLaren falling behind.
The Italian Grand Prix in Monza on September 12th will be a critical time for Ferrari on their home territory, as the World Motor Sport Council hearing looms after their team orders scam at the German Grand Prix in July. They were fined $100,000 for instructing Felipe Massa to let Alonso through, and the hearing will determine whether they face further punishments.
This track will be one where McLaren need to make the most of their straight-line speed advantage with their F-duct. Both Red Bull and Ferrari will have some pace, but they won’t be as quick as Hamilton and Button on a low-downforce circuit.
Marina Bay will host the Singapore Grand Prix on September 29th, and the circuit will be remembered for Renault fixing the race for Alonso to win after Nelson Piquet Jnr smashed into the wall deliberately in 2008. Under the night skies, Alonso will go strong here, and so will his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa. The Red Bulls will be exceptionally fast, so Alonso has a difficult task of trying to get in amongst Vettel and Webber. Although Hamilton won here last year, the McLarens will struggle to find pace, as their car is stiffly built to be quick in straight lines, and is unsuitable for the many turns and slow-speed corners.
The Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, taking place on October 10th, was won by Vettel from pole position last season. Both he and Webber, if they are in front, will run away with this race, as the fast and flowing bends compliment with Red Bull's amazing grip and speed. The top two will be sorted, so Ferrari and McLaren will be vying for a podium spot and a decent amount of points.
The Korean Grand Prix two weeks later presents a new challenge as it is uncharted territory for the teams. And, with no track data available, all the time spent on the simulators back in the factories will be crucial. As they’ve been the quickest team by a country mile this season, it would be fair to say Red Bull will hit the ground running, with Ferrari and McLaren trailing.
On November 7th the historic track of Interlagos could decide the championship, as it has done in the past on many occasions. The race was won by Webber last year, and the Australian and his teammate Vettel should be quick again. Rather like Suzuka, they could streak clear, but Ferrari have gone well here in the past, so expect them to put up a fight, and stay ahead of McLaren.
The season will come to an end at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 14th. Red Bull recorded a one-two finish last season, and Ferrari and McLaren have to qualify well to stop Red Bull doing it again. It was a new track for the drivers to get to grips with last year, but now they fully know the ins and outs of the spectacular surroundings.
All the tracks bar one favour Red Bull, now the team have seven races to prove it.
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