Brazilian Grand Prix 25 November 2012
Last week saw Lewis Hamilton reign supreme in the first Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. After qualifying second, and losing his place to both the Red Bulls on turn 1, he managed to over-take both and claim victory. Jenson Button also had a terrific race, starting 12th on the grid, he did what he does best, looked after his tyres for an amazing 32 laps, before changing to the medium compound and finished in 5th place.
The penalty Grosjean received for an un-scheduled gear box change left Alonso in 8th place on the dirty side of the track (all the drivers complained about this side). Controversially Ferrari deliberately damaged a seal on Massa’s gear box, forcing a change, therefore incurring a penalty, moving Alonso to 7th and the clean side of the track. Unsportsman-like but legal….
Alonso finished 3rd after Webber was forced to retire with an alternator problem.
Massa had a steady race, again reinforcing Ferrari’s decision to keep him on next year, and finished fourth. This didn’t help Ferrari in the constructors standings as Red Bull took the title for a third successive year. Congratulations to the whole Red Bull team!.
Maldonado and Senna finished 9th and 10th for the Williams team putting them in strong competition next season with Force-India and Sauber.
Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil
With Vettel 13 points clear of Alonso going into this last race of the season, he only needs to finish 4th. But we all know Vettel, he won’t settle for anything less than a podium, and I believe first on Sunday. For three years running, Red Bull have dominated this circuit, with Webber taking two victories and Vettel one. Obviously team orders will come into this race if Webber should find himself ahead of Vettel at any time.
The changeable weather here will factor immensely during qualifying and the race itself, with Alonso probably the best equipped if it’s wet. However the old style track, very narrow in places, the pit entry and exit which shortcuts turns 1 and 2, the elevated turns and the lack of asphalt run-offs, will demand some very good driving skills from all the teams.
The best over-taking opportunities can be found at turns 1 and 4, so expect lots of action at these points.
As this is the last race of the season, the drivers need to keep their wits about them as desperation can lead to carelessness, we don’t want to see the safety car out. It would be fantastic to end the season with a good, exciting clean race.
Personally I would like to see Vettel win again and take the championship for a 3rd year, but I don’t think Alonso will!!.
I think Hamilton will take pole position, he was looking very strong in practice, but the race itself belongs to any of the top drivers.
Enjoy the race, see you next year!
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