This is arguably the best season by far in the last couple of years. Brushing aside all the criticisms of the new points grading system introduced in 2010, the Formula 1 World Championships is certainly heading towards an epic finale. The Championships are too close to call yet. With 7 races before the season finale in Sao Paulo, the Driver’s Championship tally looks evenly poised thanks to the roller-coaster starts, over-taking, clever strategies, unfortunate crashes and let-downs, brilliant finishes and exceptional driving.
With 3 victories already this season and multiple podium finishes, the two time world champion, Fernando Alonso finds himself at the top of the table with 164 points. As they say, “Class maketh a player”, he is indeed one of a kind racer. Although he does not have the best of Ferrari cars this season, Alonso has taken the credit due to some great driving. He will look to take maximum advantage out of his cut-down 20 points lead while pushing towards the Championships.
The two time World Champion and the reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettel took the racing world by surprise with two consecutive Championships. This young German lad has grown on to become a racer to reckon with. He has proved himself over time. Unlike the last two seasons where he swooped the charts solo, this time around he has got serious company. His Championship is at great threat from various sources. While Vettel defends his title, he will have to answer the bolstering runs from his peers. If Vettel wins the F1 title this year, he will go down in history as a legend of the sport.
MARK WEBBER
Webber might have been a supporting driver to Vettel in the previous season , but with his exceptional driving throughout the season, the choice for no.1 Red Bull Racing driver will go down to the wire. Over the years, the Australian, Mark Webber has come of age to finally give him a chance to go ahead and inscribe his name into the hall of champions. With Podium-1 finishes in undoubtedly the toughest races of the season yet, winning at Monaco and backing it with a win at Silverstone has placed the Australian with 132 points, 32 points behind the leader, Fernando Alonso. He stands as much a chance to win the championships as anyone in the grid.
KIMI RAIKKONEN
Did anyone notice him in the beginning of the season? Kimi Raikkonen, the surprise package out of the bunch will create history if he wins the Championships with Lotus. Coming out of temporary retirement, Kimi has not just written off the critics who doubted his comeback to Formula 1 but he is also within reach of a second championship. Kimi has won the hearts of the fanatics of the sport with his skilled, error-free, consistent driving. Without registering a win yet, the Iceman is just 33 points behind Fernando Alonso with 131 points. With multiple podium finishes with his not so fancy Lotus, he has sent an alarming message to the other title contenders. With the big names choking, can Kimi persevere?
With the fastest machine burning the blocks, Lewis Hamilton is a driver who has always been associated with World Championships since his introduction to the premier level of racing. Winning at Canada and Hungary, Hamilton is a strong force to reckon with; he has 117 points to his name. A disappointing June-July at the office for McLaren, saw him lose grip over the leader-board. But only when you think about the race at Sao Paulo in 2008, you know what’s stored in Hamilton’s arsenal. One of the finest and most animated racers of the modern-era, a few good finishes with a shadow of luck poses a great deal of threat to the seekers of the World Championship title.
With great statistics on board, the racing world awaits 8 more incredible, mouth-watering, rival races. If nothing, it’ll be great spectacle for the sport.
Who will ultimately prevail and taste the sweetness of success?
