SINGAPORE – SEPTEMBER 23: Mark Webber of Australia and Red Bull Racing is seent at the 7-11 store in the Marina Square Mall during previews to the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on September 23, 2010 in Singapore
With just four races to go, the Formula 1 World Championship remains as open as ever in a thrilling finish to the 2010 season. Singapore shuffled the top five contenders in the pack, but with no driver convincingly holding Aces, Jokers in the pack will continue to upset the order over the next few races.
Mark Webber continues to ride his luck.
Singapore looked to be turning into a frustrating race for what was expected to be a strong Red Bull circuit. An early gamble by the Red Bull team of diving into the pits for his mandatory pit-stop long before the front-runners looked to pay-off as he overtook backmarkers Kamui Kobayashi and Michael Schumacher to sit behind Rubens Barrichello.
As the front-runners made their pit stops, Webber’s luck held out as he emerged from the stops in third place, chased by Lewis Hamilton in fourth.
On Lap 36, Lewis Hamilton played his cards. Having profited from a safety car, and with traffic holding up Webber on the restart, Hamilton managed to get a run on the Australian down the straight of Raffles Boulevard, one of the only genuine overtaking opportunities on the circuit.
It looked as if the Brit had managed to pass Webber as the pair approached Turn Seven, with Hamilton in front by a length. However, Webber dug in, and made a late dart into the corner on the grippier side of the circuit.
It was typical gutsy stuff from both drivers – Hamilton so often the aggressive racer and Webber so often the fighter.
Without enough room for both, a clash of wheels ensued – Hamilton’s rear right was damaged and his race was over. The Brit was disconsolate. Webber continued without any loss of speed, although after the race, Red Bull reported his tyre would not have lasted another “half mile”.
Webber couldn’t believe his luck.
Nationality plays a large role in deciding if Hamilton failed to leave Webber enough room, or if Webber dived in way too late. Happily for Webber, the stewards investigated but found no rules were breachers in the incident.
Thus, Hamilton was out, and suddenly Webber’s third place looked to be another saving effort.
Now, as the fortunes change, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso appears to be Webber’s main threat. The Spaniard has won the last two races on widely differing tracks, high-speed and flat-out Monza and the high-downforce street circuit of Singapore.
Add the fact that Alonso’s teammate Felipe Massa is now considered unable to win the Championship, yet still very capable of taking a podium should Ferrari continue to lead.
Another consideration is that Red Bull will stick to giving both their drivers equal chances. Of course, as we controversially saw in Germany, Ferrari’s eggs are all in Alonso’s basket.
Red Bull are expected to do well in Suzuka, Japan next week, yet their hand does not look as strong as just a few short weeks ago.
If Alonso continues his impressive momentum, Webber will need to drastically improve from simply saving races and watching his foes crash around him.
Ian Noble
Guest
On BBC Eddie Jordan and David Coultard both said it was a racing incident and a typical LH move. It could have Alonso but it was Webber as they were battling for third place. You won't change LH, he treats his F1 car like a go-kart. If he had caused Webber to retire he would have got alot of stick particularly in the UK. Webber has alot of support in the UK and many have crossed fingers that he can hold off Alonso who is considered to be arrogant and a bit of whinger. If Webber wins, his pub/restaurant close to Silverstone will do great trade
The Special One
Guest
Ferrari's reliability will be the key, but having one driver challenging for the title is a massive advantage over what red bull and maclaren face.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Similar here Brett. I always payed a little attention watching the odd race here over the years but this year I have really enjoyed it. The combination of channel 10 and One HD making it really accesible and having someone to really support in a very close competition has been a winner.
Wylie
Guest
Whichever way it goes it is certainly nice that an Australian is finally a contender. I've been watching F1 for 20 years and this is probably the most exciting season yet. Although I do have very fond memories of the Senna/Prost era. Part of me wishes Red Bull would throw all of their support behind Webber this year and do the same for Vettel next year. Although I guess if Mark wins he'd be unwilling to be a world champ playing a support role.
Shane Moore
Roar Rookie
I know, it sounded strange as I typed it too! I guess what I'm saying is that my heart says 100% Webber but my head says 49% Webber 51% Alonso.
Brett McKay
Guest
Shane, can you be 100% confident in one thing while putting your life savings on something else?!?! Great write-up Tristan, I've taken an unusally high interest in F1 this year, for fairly obvious patriotic reasons, so it will be interesting to see if Webber can sneak in the one or two more wins that he needs. He seems to be speaking all the right words though, not getting too far ahead of himself, taking it one race at a time, etc etc, and that's a good sign. SHould be a thrilling finish to the season...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Great comment Mark, and thanks. Agree with your thoughts. Tell you what though, should Webber get up, he will be a genuine champion, with zero favours or team orders helping him. You get the feeling that's the way Webber would like it too.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Ah Ian, apologies, and Shane thanks, you are spot on. Perhaps I was a little too dry there - I just meant all the Brits I spoke to at the track blamed Webber, while the Aussies all thought Hamilton was a nutter. Just a racing incident for me, and you're right, without drivers who are willing to take a chance, motorsport would be very dull!
Shane Moore
Roar Rookie
"What rubbish nationality had nothing to do with it" Ian, I think what Tristan is saying is that if you're an Australian fan you'll think Webber was in the right, and if you're an English fan you'll think Lewis was in the right. Correct me if I'm wrong Tristan. But getting back to the point, Alonso is definitely a worry for us Webber fans at the moment! Alonso has always been my number two behind Webber, so generally I would be stoked for him to win another championship, but not if Webber follows him in second place! Looking at the final four races, the Red Bull is expected to be strongest in Japan, Korea is unknown for everyone, Webber won the last Brazilian grand prix and finished second in Abu Dhabi. So things are looking pretty good, and surely no one doubts Webber's mental strength despite the fact that he's never before been in the position of fighting for an F1 championship. I'm still 100% confident that Webber can and will win the championship. But if I was forced to put my life savings on one driver, I'm afraid to say it would be Alonso...
Mark Young
Guest
Hiya Tristan I'm very worried about Mark, I have a feeling that Ferrari has hit a ton of form at the right time of the year and that Freddy Alonso will romp away with the title. The fact that he has managed to win on both a fast and tight track in the last month is very concerning. Also, as you stated, Red Bull are not going to put all their eggs in the Webber basket and next weekend we are at Suzuka where Seb V was mighty last year. What a thriling finish though, with five really dominant drivers all the hunt with just four races to go. it really could go to anyone.
Ian Noble
Guest
There are many in the UK who would like to see Mark W win the world championship. He has lived close to Silverstone for many years and is very popular with F1 fans. "Nationality plays a large role in deciding if Hamilton failed to leave Webber enough room, or if Webber dived in way too late" What rubbish nationality had nothing to do with it, Hamilton is a racer and has taken too many risks in the last two races in an effort to win the GP. He would have done the same to other drivers, it just so happened to be Webber. Hamilton will not change his spots as he always drives on the limit, rather like Vettel and thank god as their driving makes F1 interesting and more exciting.