Logic says Vettel but I feel Alonso may sneak title in Brazil

 
p65 Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso, left, of Spain, talks with Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, right, of Germany, during a news conference at the Circuit of the Americas race track Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, in Austin, Texas. Formula One's U.S. Grand Prix auto race is scheduled for Sunday at the site.
AP
23 November 2012

For the second time in three seasons, the Formula One world championship will go down to the wire, the final race of the season deciding the outcome of the standings.

In 2010, it was Abu Dhabi that played host as Sebastian Vettel overhauled a 15-point deficit to beat Fernando Alonso to the crown.

Two years on, Interlagos will be the venue for the end-of-season showdown this time with Vettel in the ascendancy holding a 13-point advantage over Alonso. The German will take the title if he finishes above his Spanish rival. If Alonso wins the race, he needs Vettel to finish lower than fourth to become world champion.

Whatever happens, we will get a new three-time world champion, either Vettel or Alonso joining the likes of Ayrton Senna, Sir Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda in the record books.

As the season approaches its climax this weekend, I’ve run the rule over the two title protagonists.

Strengths

The thing about Sebastian is that when he gets clear air out front he’s ­unstoppable. In the past, maybe there was a suggestion he was not so good in traffic but he’s shown this year he’s very quick at getting through the field too. In a straight race, you’d say that Sebastian would win as he has the quickest car and that’s his greatest strength in ­Brazil.

The thing about Fernando is that he doesn’t really make mistakes — he just seems to make the most of every opportunity. When he has a chance, he takes it. So often when you think he has no chance, he’s on the podium close to winning.

He’s the best in F1 at maximising his opportunities. The other thing is that Fernando’s Ferrari is bullet proof in terms of reliability. Ok, it’s not as quick as Vettel’s Red Bull but the car itself has not made many mistakes, a bit like its driver.

Weaknesses

I’m sure that both drivers have some weak points but they’ve not been that obvious this year. If you were to look back at their seasons, sure, not all their races have been perfect and they’ve both missed out on points through mistakes.

So, the one weakness of both is that they don’t always get the best out of their cars. But who does? They’re only human. But even when that happens or something goes against them, like an accident, they can make that a strength. They’re both very good at taking and accepting things that go against them.

Personalities

I get on well with both of them: they’re nice guys. They’re both just very straightforward, down-to-earth men.

What I like is that they’re really hard-working in everything they do and they’re good guys with it.

They’re among the more popular drivers on the grid as what you see is what you get, which is not always the case with every driver. There’s nothing in Sebastian or Fernando’s personalities that makes them tricky to deal with in any way.

Prediction

In Brazil, anything can happen. The weather can be a factor and that means that strategy can also become far from straightforward.

But it’s a tricky circuit where it’s tough to make predictions.

I don’t know if it’s the Brazil factor that makes me say this but I have a feeling that Fernando will win the world championship. For him to do that, realistically that would involve Sebastian not finishing the race as, in terms of pace, his car is quicker than the Ferrari and he won’t miss out on that many places to Fernando in a straight race however well Fernando drives.

Everything sensible says that Sebastian will win his third world title at Interlagos: he’s in a stronger position in terms of his points advantage, he has a quicker car and it’s his to lose.

Ferrari and Fernando have to throw absolutely everything at the weekend, to take risks and maximise their potential, which is what they’ve done all season.

I don’t know what it is then that makes me say this but I just have a feeling Fernando will be crowned world champion come Sunday night. It’ll be exciting to see how it works out.

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