Alonso aims to clinch title – just how has he done it, though?
Wow. Summer seems far away now, and it’s not just the weather that confirms this.
In Silverstone earlier this summer, Mark Webber claimed a famous victory and then went on the rampage by taunting his principal by declaring: “Not bad for a number two driver.”
His rant came after he had his updated front wing removed from his car, which was then fixed to team-mate Sebastian Vettel’s car. They aren’t really mates anymore.
This happened after their alleged number one driver ruined his wing in practice. The story dominated the weekend’s proceedings, and many forgot what Fernando Alonso – who finished 14th and left Britain 47 points behind Webber – said in his post-race interview. He bullishly claimed that he would be crowned world champion at the end of the season. Surely not, they said. Well with two races to go, he sure can.
The brilliant, but hubristic Spaniard proved the cynics wrong by going onto win the next four out of seven races. He has received a stroke of luck along the way, particularly last time out in soaking South Korea, where race leader Vettel’s Renault engine decided it had absorbed enough of the rain and cold before crossing the chequered flag.
Becoming a double world champion isn’t an easy task, especially with a fully-functioning Michael Schumacher as one of your rivals, but Alonso has shown the same magic he delivered when securing the back-to-back titles in ’05 and ’06 to bring himself back into firm contention.
If anything, he has displayed greater craft and deftness this time around with a car that is not even the front-runner. His genius has propelled him past title-rivals Webber, Vettel, Hamilton and Button, and heads to the penultimate round of the championship in Brazil top of the standings with a daunting 11 point lead.
Red Bull’s Webber has seen his title charge halted in recent months, and hasn’t won a race since his Hungarian Grand Prix domination in August. The Australian had been in command of the championship over recent months, but his shunt in South Korea has shunted the balance of power towards the Prancing Horse.
The Tifosi have been going bonkers back in Italy, with their prodigal son now seemingly closing in on another world title. Love him or hate him, you have to praise Alonso for his grit, determination and sheer class to claw back the gap he has done from a super-fast Red Bull car.
Red Bull will be kicking themselves if they lose the drivers’ championship due to the amount of time, resource, money and immense pace they had to play with this term. Looking back on their season, again if Alonso is made king of the roster again, will they look back to Turkey where their drivers pushed each other off the track costing themselves a 1-2 victory? You’d imagine so.
The Milton Keynes squad do have some crumbs of comfort, though, they are still ahead of the chasing pack in the constructors’ championship. Secondly, the layout of the Sao Paulo circuit should suit their cars beautifully. The weather forecast is also looking fine and dry for this weekend, which should mean there’ll be no repeat of the chaos that ensued last season when qualifying was delayed for hours due to heavy rain. They should be very strong here.
They have been strong all year, but have not fulfilled their potential. Not having won a championship in the past, they’ve perhaps shown naivety in their quest. Take nothing away from Alonso, though.
Simply, Alonso can win a third title if he wins and Webber finishes lower than fifth. He can also clinch it if he finishes second or third, but there are special scenarios involved, which no doubt Jake Humphrey will try to clarify over the upcoming weekend.
Mark Webber’s taunt of being a “number two driver” may, somewhat ironically, come to fruition in Brazil, and he may well wonder if he’ll get a better chance in his career to fulfill his dream of world champion.
A pattern is emerging: Heart says Webber. Head says Alonso.
