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A big Formula 1 season is sure to come, after a 2010 season that has already been touted as one of the greatest the sport has ever seen.
For the first-time in history, heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi, there were four drivers in with a chance of snaring the title.
Over the course of the 19-race season none of the drivers were able to grab the championship by the throat.
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, Red Bull’s Mark Webber and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, all juggled the championship lead, with eventual champion Sebastian Vettel hot on their heels.
It was a year full of twists and turns with perhaps the biggest being that Vettel – who became the youngest champion in history – had never lead the championship before he clinched the crown in the Abu Dhabi desert.
Red Bull also took out the constructors championship, capping off a near perfect year for the team.
It was a season that saw new technology implemented, in-team fights and the return the dreaded Ferrari team orders. It has rejuvenated Formula One and its fan-base.
It really was a season for the history books.
KEY RACES OF 2011:
GRAND PRIX DE MONACO: May 26th-29th
The Monaco Grand Prix is always a highlight of any F1 season. It’s picturesque setting on the Monte Carlo harbor and razor sharp racing has given it the status of one of the most prestigious races in any form of motorsport.
Last year saw Mark Webber winning the famous race for the first time, and will be fighting hard to add a second Monaco victory to his trophy cabinet.
GRAND PRIX OF INDIA: October 28th-30th
For the first-time ever, India will stage an F1 race. This marks a massive date in the Indian sporting calendar, not just in terms of the F1 race, but also in what it signifies about the growth of India.
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, are notorious for only going to countries they deem worthy enough to hold an F1 event. Hosting the F1 shows that they are starting to be considered amongst the world’s elite.
Not much is known about the Jaypee Circuit, but one thing is for sure, every driver will be looking to take out the inaugural race.
GRAND PREMIO DO BRASIL: November 25th-27th
The Brazilian Grand Prix is one of the circuits race fans look forward to most, simply because it’s the fastest race of the season.
The high-octane GP always draws a massive crowd in Brazil, and captivates those watching from Europe and other F1 Nations.
It’s flat-out corners, burning straights and hairpin bends, really do make the Brazilian race quite the spectacular.
With the season ending here this season, expect every more fireworks than usual come November.
THINGS TO WATCH IN 2011:
All 19 races from last year were scheduled to return for another go around this season. Unfortunately, before the engines could be started for the year, the curtain raising Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled due to the civil unrest in the area.
The FIA have yet to announce whether they will try and reschedule the grand prix for later in the season, but regardless we still have 19 enthralling F1 events to mark on the calendar.
One of the highlights for the year will undoubtedly be the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, taking place between the Korean and Abu Dhabi races. Plus – the fan favorite Brazilian Grand Prix – has been reinstated as the site of the season finale.
When you throw the likes of Monza, Spa, Hockenheim, and Silverstone, we should again be in store for a fantastic season.
Red Bull look set to once again be the perennial pace-setters for the year, and are heavily backed to deliver the drivers and constructors championships, once again this year.
This year’s car, the RB7, has been incredibly fast in practice in the off-season, coupled with the unchanged driver tandem of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, there appears very little reason to question the team’s title credentials.
Vettel will come in with even more confidence than before – if that’s even possible – off the back of his maiden world championship and another certainly his to take.
His teammate Mark Webber is quickly running out of time to claim the ever-elusive F1 throne. He turns 35 during the upcoming season, making him the fourth oldest driver in the field behind Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Jarno Trulli.
Webber claims to be more motivated than ever, and it should be fantastic to see whether he can finally get a championship this season.
PREDICTIONS:
As much as I would love to say that Mark Webber is to finally break through season, I just can’t see him claiming the title this year.
I strongly believe he’ll be victorious in front of a boisterous home crowd in Melbourne to begin the season, but he won’t be leading after Brazil.
I think that Fernando Alonso, or Lewis Hamilton, as an outside bet will capture this year’s title. After seeing how much the Ferrari and McLaren machines improved for their respective drivers over the course of last season, it’s scary to think of how good the cars will be after a season of testing.
Another incredibly tight season will play out, purely because F1 is enjoying a talent boom of sorts.
Webber, Hamilton, Button, Massa, Alonso and Vettel would all realistically fancy their chances going into the season, but, as I said, Fernando Alonso should beat them across the line.
PREDICTIONS: DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP:
1. F. Alonso.
2. M. Webber.
3. L. Hamilton.
PREDICTIONS: CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP:
1. Red Bull.
2. McLaren.
3. Ferrari.
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