Abu Dhabi GP - The penultimate step is a good one
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (http://www.ferrari.com)
Yas Island, 13 November - Of course, pole position would have been better, but given the exceptional pace of the two Red Bulls, Fernando Alonso’s third place achieved in qualifying this evening for tomorrow’s Abu Dhabi finale is a great boost to Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s hopes of clinching the Drivers’ Championship title. Better still, although two cars out-qualified our Spanish driver, only one of them, Sebastian Vettel on pole, is a Red Bull. The second fastest time was set by Lewis Hamilton in the McLaren. In fact, Fernando is the meat in a Woking team sandwich as Jenson Button was fourth, which relegated Alonso’s closest challenger, Mark Webber to fifth on the grid. The Australian will start alongside Felipe Massa as our Brazilian driver was plagued by traffic and was twice slowed by none other than Hamilton. It was all in the heat of battle and no penalties were issued, but it was annoying all the same. Felipe had to back off to give himself a clear run for one final flying lap, but then thought he had not crossed the line before the red light to end the session. Instinctively backing off the throttle pedal for a split second prevented him from doing better.
Tomorrow’s final race of the season promises to be a tough one, because even if a major part of it takes place at night under floodlights, the temperatures do not drop much. It should be a fascinating end to what has been a very exciting season, not just for race fans the world over, but also for those taking part. However, it is quite likely that the name of the race winner might not be the most important one tomorrow, as the Drivers’ crown will not necessarily depend on who stands on the top step of the podium. There are numerous scenarios which could see Fernando Alonso bring the title home to Maranello. Here they are:
If he wins or finishes second, he is champion whatever other drivers do.
He can finish third or fourth if Vettel wins the race.
If neither Red Bull wins then he can take the title with a fifth place.
Alonso in sixth place is still champion, if Webber does no better than third and Vettel does not win.
If the Ferrari man finishes seventh or eighth, he takes the title if Webber is not in the top three and Vettel does not win.
The rule about the highest number of race wins comes into play if Fernando finishes ninth, with Webber fifth or lower and Vettel third or lower.
Fernando would also be champion if Webber is outside the top five and Vettel is third or lower.
He can even be champion if he fails to score points in the race, but only if Vettel is out of the top two, Webber is out of the top five and Hamilton does not win.
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (http://www.ferrari.com)
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