Mark Webber finds himself 11 points behind new leader Fernando Alonso. Meaning that wins in Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi would crown the 34-year-old Australian champion, regardless of what Alonso and Ferrari do. However, Sebastian Vettel is a near un-conquerable 25 points off the top and would need help from both his teammate and both McLarens to take the championship.
Vettel has been Red Bull’s man since racing for the Red Bull sponsored Mucke Motorsport team in Formula 3, winning the title with them in 2004. He joined Toro Rosso, Red Bull’s sister team, in 2007 and has built up a close relationship with owner Dietrich Mateschitz during his time with the team.
Vettel and Webber have been taking turns at being the fastest man all year, with varying reasons as to why they are not topping the driver standings. Vettel’s being mechanical, whilst Webber’s more spectacular, especially his aerial exit in Valencia. Whilst these crashes can be marked as a negative in the Australian's column, one discounts his skill at their peril.
While this season has been enthralling, it has had the shortest memory of any I can remember. Webber’s drive in Monaco was of championship calibre; the way he dealt with the obvious favouritism towards Vettel during the Silverstone Grand Prix was a response worthy of Michael Schumacher in his pomp.
Vettel has not been faultless either. His error in Hungary of falling too far behind the safety car handed Webber a win and second to Alonso while his crash with Button in Spa greatly damaged his title chances.
Reports out of Germany are that Team Principal Christian Horner is under huge pressure to both win the Driver's and Constructor's titles having had the biggest car advantage seen in years. But Ferrari’s ability to simply back Alonso as early as the German Grand Prix and order Massa aside has been a great advantage for them, while both Red Bull and McLaren have tried to allow their drivers to race and compete all year. As a result, they find themselves off the Spaniard's pace.
Directly after the race in South Korea, Horner said, “I haven’t had time to look at all the mathematics and scenarios… But it’s something obviously we will look at pretty closely between now and Brazil.”
The fact that one non-finish from Alonso can put Vettel right back into the battle, and that two race wins for the young German would move him above Webber on race wins, will make justifying a whole hearted backing of Webber hard to sell to the pro-Vettel hierarchy.
A non-finish from Alonso however is very unlikely - he has been in this position before and knows what it takes to close out a championship. The smart money will be on Alonso or Webber to take this hard-fought title now. Vettel will be back to challenge again, but Webber seems to know this is his last chance.
Having taken victory in Brazil last year Webber will be confident he can get back on top, but he has had trouble passing his teammate if Vettel gets around the first corner ahead. And with the points difference being only 3 between 2nd and 3rd, only a race win will realistically be enough for the soft spoken Australian.
Vettel is the future of this team without a doubt, and will challenge for titles in years to come if he can control his hot-headed nature, but Webber is the present. You get the feeling that Horner knows this, he just has to convince Mateschitz and the rest of the bosses that it’s the best way to go.
Toby Durant
No comments:
Post a Comment