[enurneAcourdy]

It could still be Hamilton, but I think Webber will be champion.

He has the experience to get him through, and to resist the challenge of Vettel.

I think all will depend on how quick McLaren are at Spa and Monza. I expect them to win at Monza, but I expect a great battle at Spa between the top 3 teams, maybe even with Force India thrown in like last year. However if Red Bull can win at Monza then it's all over IMO.

Then Singapore is probably Hamilton's track, Suzuka should favour Red Bull and Ferrari, Korea is a crapshoot, Brazil I'd go for Button, Massa or Webber, and Abu Dhabi is anyone's I reckon.

Overall I think that Webber will be more consistent than Vettel, and even though Seb is possibly a bit quicker, Mark knows the tracks better, and after the year he's had, I don't think he'll let anybody snatch the title from his grasp.

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

Mclaren's biggest problem is not qualifying alone, it is also their race pace. At both Hockenheim and Hungaroring they could just not keep up.

The Mclaren's have a big problem with their front wing - whereas both Red Bull and Ferrari are ahead in rate of development.

The question is how likely will any possible restiction by the FIA on the flexible wings inhibit?

This actually even adds to the Mclaren dilemma - until Spa all that Red Bull and Ferrari need do is make an adjustment to account for the new test parameters and, not onlyhas Mclaren losy Pat Fry to Ferrari but Red Bull have Adrian Newey.

Mclaren still have to catch up with these two teams and the shut down will not help.

Mclaren does not appeaar to be a team that thinks laterally - and the loss of technical chief Fry is a significant blow.

I reckon at both Spa and Monza, they may be quickest in a straight line, but it is the downforce getting around the corners that makes all the difference. This is not oval racing.

Odds of either Jense or Hamilton becoming champion over Webber, Alonso and Vettel is pretty well non-existent.

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

The biggest mistake is not to consider Vettel as a real title contender this year.

He is the quickest driver in formula 1 today and drives a car that is quick at all types of circuit.

[fapourfasiark]

If only they didn't create a mess in Turkey redbull is now a one two in the standing. Perhaps this year we can give it to Webber, he has been around in F1 good while from Jaguar, BMW, Williams and now Redbull. Vettel still has long future. But if not careful, the young driver will snatch the title away. We are only in halfway of the season, those are not in the list still have enough chance. Don't write off Rosberg, he is strong, the mower..

[JacomoR]

There are 7 races to go, and a helluva lot of mega points for winners. One dnf and some other schmuck takes over the lead. I say, at this stage that the championship is wide open, depending on how FIA rulings may go for the rest of the season.

The front wing flex might equalise the teams, the WMSC hearing may seriously affect Ferrari, (or it may not), and some guy might get ingrown toenails that could affect his braking.

In olden days, a glimpse of stocking..............etc,etc,etc.... you know the rest.

[dfuzioniag]

You could have said he drove like Bunsen.

you know he had to throw in some vaguely relevant historical reference

[dfuzioniag]

as to the WDC, it is too close to call, but if I was forced to give an answer I'd say it is going to come down to Webber or Hamilton. One more win for webber and poor result for Vettel will seal the deal on #1 status for this year. But I doubt Vettel would want to play wingman which might end up costing Webber. As to Hamilton, the situation is similar but for the fact that if Button were sorta out of it, he would probably help Hamilton more.

The dark horse and unknown factor is Alonso. He might still pull a kimi 2007 and come out of nowhere to take the championship.

I honestly believe that the WDC will be decided in the last race with 4 and maybe 5 guys with an opportunity to win it.

The spoiler role will be played by Williams, who I think might just be challenging for podiums by the end of the year.

[Vobomei]

The biggest mistake is not to consider Vettel as a real title contender this year.

He is the quickest driver in formula 1 today and drives a car that is quick at all types of circuit.

I personally agree with your mate Ross Brawn and I would say Hamilton is the quickest driver in F1 today. Give him the best car on the grid and he'll stick it on pole and you have a 90% chance he'll win from pole. Give him the third/forth fastest car and he'll out perfrom his teammate by a number of places as we've seen on a number of occasions this season.

[User-Luser]

Alonso may have points taken off him
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6...ri-for-hearing

The stewards declared Ferrari in breach of article 39.1 of the FIA 2010 sporting regulations that states 'team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.'
They were also charged with a breach of article 151c of the FIA International Sporting Code.
That relates to 'any fraudulent conduct, or any act prejudicial to the interests of any competition or to the interests of motor sport generally'. I believe that this would be different to spygate as the drivers were involved

[MinisuipGaicai]

Webber... pleeeeeaaaseeee??? Objectively though apart from some occasional brain fade (Melbourne, Valencia) he has done amazingly well. There's still a long way to go though, and Mclaren will light the afterburners at Monza and Suzuka.

Vettel will probably get it though

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

Webber... pleeeeeaaaseeee??? Objectively though apart from some occasional brain fade (Melbourne, Valencia) he has done amazingly well. There's still a long way to go though, and Mclaren will light the afterburners at Monza and Suzuka.

Vettel will probably get it though

One team that has "lit the afterburners" is Ferrari - they began by enticing Pat Fry to the Scuderia - a big whack upside the head for Woking - and were the only other team to twig on what RBR were doing with their front wing.

The FIA has been stepping on RBR innovation all year and is set to act once more - at this stage they are even stronger while Mclaren is at it slowest of the year - they have been overtaken on the rate of development by Ferrari as well.


There is some way to go but given how dominant Vettel was at Suzuka and his brilliant peformance at Monza in 2008, along with Alonso [especially at Monza] and that Webber is in the zone - I doubt Mclaren is going to play anything else BUT catchup for the remainder of the season.

[JacomoR]

Alonso may have points taken off him
http://www.planet-f1.com/news/3213/6...ri-for-hearing



I believe that this would be different to spygate as the drivers were involved

Not to mention that the bookies had to pay out on Alonso winning, and he was at much shorter priced and possibly had more money bet on a win.

[crazuMovies]

I am hopeful it won't be webber, but any of the top 5 is fine by me really.

[phpfoxmods]

Vettel is ultimately the fastest driver/car combination all year so he should win, as long as he concentrates on his own race and doesn't try to force others off the track! (Webber, Hamilton, Alonso etc).

However, a rapid technical progress by McLaren or Ferrari could see Alonso or Hamilton as WDC.

Button has a well deserved 0 votes on this pole so far!

[dfuzioniag]

Vettel is ultimately the fastest driver/car combination all year so he should win,

err. not this year, that other guy has 4 wins and some spectacular drivers compared to the 2 by Vettel. I think there is nothing between them in terms of pace. Vettel may be a slightly better qualifier, but races are won on Sunday. He's has had a few terrible starts, a couple of mental errors and has no one to blame but himself for that.

Anyway, any of the top 5 have a shot to win. The WDc is earned on the track rather than who we think "should" win.

[Vobomei]

One team that has "lit the afterburners" is Ferrari - they began by enticing Pat Fry to the Scuderia - a big whack upside the head for Woking - and were the only other team to twig on what RBR were doing with their front wing.

Pat Fry had been on leave from Mclaren for several months before he joined Ferrari, and Tim Goss has had a much more successful run in recent years. The Mclaren design direction has opperated in an alternate approach for many years with Pat Fry heading it one year and Tim Goss the next. Pat was responsible for the MP4-24 which was a huge disappointment last year, with the team favouring Tim's approach in recent season's. Tim's team were successful in inovating the F-Duct on this season's car, and ironing out the flaws from last year. Tim's team was also responsible for delivering the teams first championship winning car in 9 years back in 2008. All this of course is headed up by Paddy Lowe and Neil Oatley who are more than capable of maintaining quality within the team.

Pat Fry is a great manager and his time at Mclaren speaks for itself, but please don't be under the impression that he has left a huge void since his departure because that is untrue. Pat is yet to show his potential at Ferrari and is more likely working on next years car rather than driving their rapid in-season development this season..

[phpfoxmods]

err. not this year, that other guy has 4 wins and some spectacular drivers compared to the 2 by Vettel. I think there is nothing between them in terms of pace. Vettel may be a slightly better qualifier, but races are won on Sunday. He's has had a few terrible starts, a couple of mental errors and has no one to blame but himself for that.

Anyway, any of the top 5 have a shot to win. The WDc is earned on the track rather than who we think "should" win.

Races are indeed won on the Sunday. I would have thought if he's a better qualifier that would be an indication that (traffic aside) he is the quicker driver. Webber is capable of banzai performances in the race, for better or worse lol

[User-Luser]

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/motorspo...=1280844406791
Webber's rise puts humble pie on the menu

come November, just possibly the purchaser of a very large carton of eggs - the contents to be smeared on the faces of those of us who wrote off Webber's now undisputed ability far more recklessly than he used to write off his rides.

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

There should not be ANY Mclaren driver included as likely to win the WDC this year. To have Hamilton ahead of Alonso AND Vettel is just ridiculous.

Underestimate the German driver at your peril. Sure he has gone through something of torrid period but remember also that this the same driver that beat a Mclaren in a Toro Rosso in the most incredible wet weather performance we have seen for a very long time.

Secondly, he is in a team that does not exactly guide its drivers as did Mclaren with the for years coddled Granadian-English driver Hamilton.

I expect Vettel to return in part 3 of teh season and to circuits he loves such as Monza and Suzuka refreshed and as the quickest driver in f1 these days who will win more than his current SEVEN pole positions and not make similar errors he has done.

The champion will be Vettel or Webber or Alonso but, anyone belieiving that Hamilton will win this year is merely continuing idiocy that people have over Hamilton: being besotted by him. Get a grip on reality!

[Kokomoxddcvcv]

Races are indeed won on the Sunday. I would have thought if he's a better qualifier that would be an indication that (traffic aside) he is the quicker driver. Webber is capable of banzai performances in the race, for better or worse lol

Yes, but once again it was an error by Vettel that did it. I feel sorry for Sebastian, he receives bugger all good guidance from the pit - they ought to have watched over him on Sunday and avoided the penalty situation - and frequently stupid calls.

With a techincal team and pit wall as competent as Mclaren, Vettel would have been leading this championship with Webber - no contest.

If RBR do not win at least the title most coveted by their boss - the Constructors title but also the WDC, I expect Christian Horner will be booted out abd he wil deserve it.

RBR should hire Flavio Briatore - they WILL win the titles and Webber at least will also have a good ally and great friend in the team.