Very few mistakes by both past world champions but it's safe to say 80+ points is far too much to overcome against the Vettel/Newey/Red Bull machine that will likely claim it's 4th consecutive (Double) in great style now their weakest tracks are behind them. They will probably lose out to 3rd against Webber down the line now that it's very likely both teams will focus on the 2014 season and the new regulations. Alonso is now the only real threat left to deny Vettel another world title so the pressure will be on him to keep up the form and maybe challenge Seb in qualifying for once. To both drivers they have my respect, my applause of how well they have driven this year. please log in to view this image I'm also very glad Mercedes have a driver like Lewis, hopefully the chances of a Mercedes world champion will be improved with this new found form compared with 2012. please log in to view this image With Kimi here's hoping he finds a strong seat to challenge the WDC again or Lotus finds a lot of money to keep him.
Barring multiple shocks, Kimi and Hammy are out of it. Going by current form, Webber will beat the pair of them and Hamilton will be fourth
I'm not overly bothered about the standings below first, but I do hope Hamilton and Raikkonen finish in the top four, I like having the top four drivers occupying the top four places. I think Hamilton will finish third, Mercedes will be back on form now the low downforce tracks are out the way I feel.
Singapore very similar to Monaco, Mercs very impressive there, Hamilton goes well here, would have won last year had is car not let him down. Think it will be closer than some think between him, the Redbulls, Kimi and Alonso. Chances are realistically over, however a couple of DNFs and that could bunch the pack up again, but Vettel's been there and done that, even if he suffers a couple of DNFs I think he's got more than enough in the bag to complete his four-peat!
Can't see that myself, he was only a few seconds ahead of Hamilton yesterday, even though Hamilton had to make two stops and was caught up in traffic for most of the race. I think the usual end of season decline he suffers will kick in. Hamilton will be tough to beat there but so will (if not more so) Vettel!
Do apologise... but, if his car holds together, he could realistically win the rest of the races this year... the combination of the RB9 and Vettel is that good!
But they still have heavy fuel load problems, the W04 comes alive when on low fuel and by that time the Bull and the horse are long gone.
If Merc can continue to be the most powerful engines in 2014 whilst being more economical, the Renault powered machines may have less of an advantage in that the fuel effect at the start of the race will have been reduced.. Also, Newey isn't always spot on when it comes to rule changes, still wouldn't bet against him developing a race winning car (when hasn't a Newey car been one), but do hope the rule change can bunch up the pack and even bring the likes of Williams, Sauber, FI and Toro Rosso into the hunt!
