Brazil 2010

BRAZIL 2010
When you go to Interlagos, you tip your cap to the history of the sport. At the current Turn 1, you can see the old first corner that carries on past it, the one that the likes of Emerson Fittipaldi and all these greats from the past used to try to take flat out.
Yes, it’s rough around the edges, but you don’t mind that. Just like you don’t mind your Grandad dribbling (because he’s your dear old Grandad), you don’t mind Interlagos being the way it is because it has been around a long time and has earned its place.
The passion of the fans is something to behold. From kids to OAPs, there is a huge following for Formula 1, second only to football. And there’s nothing quite like when they start banging their drums before the race and chanting for ‘Rubinho’ and Felipe Massa. There’s this energy that you feel in Brazil, even from the moment you start your journey from the hotel to the track. You’re never sure if you’re going to get mugged or what’s going to happen. But I think people enjoy going to Brazil, and names like Fittipaldi, Piquet and Senna have created a real love affair between our sport and their country.
As a track, Interlagos is a unique challenge because it’s a short lap without much heavy braking, so getting temperature in your brakes can be quite tricky in qualifying. It’s anti-clockwise so look out for the drivers resting their tired necks late in the race. The track has some long straights, which should favour McLaren and Ferrari, but that middle sector is all about aero load, and that is Red Bull territory.

RED BULL’S CONUNDRUM
I’ve heard some criticism of Red Bull this season, and of course if the team doesn’t win the championship the hindsight world champions will be out in force. But imagine the party if it does win!
What people must remember is that Dietrich Mateschitz owns the team 100 per cent, and if he says no team orders (remembering of course that team orders are officially not permitted in F1) then that’s the way it is, and it’s up to the drivers to go out there and score the points like they have all season. Things can change so quickly too. Prior to Korea we all thought that Mark Webber was the favourite for the championship, but now you’d have to say it’s Fernando Alonso in the slightly stronger position.
Red Bull needs one-twos at the final two races, and the RB6 is more than capable of doing that. Sebastian Vettel will want to win them both and, when your own title hopes are still alive, you’re not going to like being told to help your team-mate. You race to win, but you need your team to help you perform. If you try to go it alone, what can you do? The driver is in a very weak position when it comes to these situations.

FANTASTIC FERNANDO
Personally, I would like to see one of the world-champion virgins win the title and see the Formula 1 love spread around a little.
Everything suggests that Red Bull should win this championship – its car has been the quickest of them all this year. But Ferrari has been the comeback story of the season; think back to Turkey, when Fernando was 12th on the grid. And you can’t take anything away from his continued belief that they could win this championship. Michael Schumacher was the benchmark in F1 – in his first career – and Fernando beat him back then and has continued to be the benchmark ever since. He always delivers. If he wins it this year, you couldn’t say he doesn’t deserve it.
For Sebastian, making up 25 points in two races is a big ask, while McLaren doesn’t have the car, so Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button need a bit of luck.
The bottom line is that there is not a bad driver among the contenders and it has been fascinating to see the very different driving styles and personalities on display this season. Could this be the greatest championship ever?