The German driver is mounting a serious challenge as the duo compete to win their third respective World titles. The outcome of this year’s championship did seem a formality a few months ago, but surely the momentum has now swung Vettel’s way going into the final quarter of the season.
But, what has happened to the Ferrari driver who has only a couple of third place finishes to his name in the last five races?
For a start, his car has been inferior to the Red Bulls and McLarens all season and it is testament to Alonso’s immense ability that he has dominated the standings for large portions of this season. You only have to look at Felipe Massa’s finishing positions – regardless of his form – to see that the team has not produced a good enough car this year.
Nevertheless, Alonso has managed to eek out every last morsel of performance from his prancing horse to give him a fighting chance of winning the title in the final few races.
The double World Champion has now has had retirements in half of his races since the summer break and the pressure has been mounting for a while with a few cracks appearing in Alonso’s normal rock solid disposition.
At Spa he was unfortunate to have been tangled up in the multiple car retirement instigated by Romain Grosjean’s eagerness heading into the opening corner. The Lotus driver may have been disciplined with a one-race ban, but that will have been irrelevant for Alonso, who missed out on a potentially big points haul.
However, his exit at the first turn in Japan was more his own fault. The contact made with Kimi Raikkonen was avoidable and it could lead to the Spaniard paying the ultimate price in a couple of months time when the Championship is finally decided.
Fernando’s number one contender – Vettel – is looking for a repeat of his 2010 Championship-winning season. Parallels can be drawn between the two campaigns as the young German won his first Drivers’ title at the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi. However, Alonso had gone into the final round with an 8-point lead in the standings.
If Vettel is to pip Alonso to winning his third respective Championship, then it will have been an impressive comeback from the Red Bull driver, whose car has been very competitive in recent rounds and who now holds the momentum in his duel with Alonso.
The Championship leading duo are the only past winners in Korea, so both have had success there, but you feel that Alonso needs to outscore Vettel this weekend if he wants to maintain what little advantage he currently holds going into the final weeks of the season.
A good qualifying performance is vital for the Ferrari driver, as he will need to put as much pressure as possible on Vettel, who will be looking for his third consecutive victory at a key stage of the season.
For as much talent as Alonso possesses, the final standings could be decided by the fact that the Red Bull is just a better car than his Ferrari.
Whoever is the eventual World Champion this year, the Spaniard’s recent results have managed to add even more excitement to an already exhilarating season as we head for a climactic conclusion.
Follow us on Twitter @Formula1fancast for the latest f1 news and blogs
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Formula1Fancast/~3/HiV48YRfOPo/has-he-blown-his-title-chances
Jimmy Daywalt JeanDenis Deletraz Patrick Depailler Pedro Diniz Duke Dinsmore
No comments:
Post a Comment