I have read in many posts that this season is very similar to 2009 and how Vettel's results match those of Button. However, although both had brililant starts with 6 wins early on, Button just dropped off afterwards with no podium until the last last race, when he had won the championship. I dont recall the exact results but in a post there a comparison of his and Barichello's results, quali and race and there was a huge difference. On the contrary, Vettel, since his 6 wins has managed two 2nd and a fourth. So does anyone else think he would fall off, or continue his consistent run and notch more race wins, particularly at circuits like Singapore and Suzuka where he excels.
He had a shocking race at Spa last year, for us fans that want to see the gap closed we can only hope. He just needs to pick up points, any points.
Button finished 2nd in Monza behind Rubens so I dont know how acurate your facts are. In addition, the lack of funding meant that the Brawn did very little development so will be less competitive than the Red Bull over the full term. This issue for Button was that Rubens was always within shouting distance for the WDC and Brawn let them race (which is right), which meant that Rubens could and did take points of Button + JB was in the middle of contract discussions unlike the settled Vettle. I dont think Red Bull will operate in the same way and also Webber "appears" to be less competitive meaning that Vettle doesnt have an inter team struggle like Button did! I do think they are in similar situations but I dont envisage Vettle having the same issues JB had, however I do find it humerous that JB was heavily slated in his WDC campaign (Best Car - which it obvioulsy wasnt over the season), where Vettle took very little flak last season (clearly the fastest car) and at this stage his performances seem to be purley down to his skill and nothing to so with the car!
No, it's not a 2009. 1:Red Bull have far more money, resources and talent within the team then Brawn did. 2:Webber is unable to really challenge Vettel. 3:There are 3-4 teams taking points off each other. 4:Sebastian is already a WDC. 5:They have Newey. 6:Sebastian is clear number 1, unlike Jenson 09. 7:The car is strong in all types of weather, where as the Brawn was best in the hot areas. 8:They have KERS. 9:I'm bored now I say Japan or Korea will be getting a very nice treat if it keeps going like this.
Hope it comes down to the last race, even if its a long shot! I'd love to see Vettle tip toeing round to get 1 point and another driver relying on a win and a DNF for vettle!
As I have mentioned a number of times before, it is bad for business for the title to be wrapped up too early. Expect more odd brake problems for Vettel, or even a few mechanical failures and his second title gets ever closer. Yawn.
2009 was an odd season with both McLaren and Ferrari experimenting with KERS which ruined their WDC chances from the get-go. McLaren can still win it, but they need Ferrari to overtake Redbull AND either Mercedes or Renault to step it up a bit. If Mercedes can get a decent aero package they have the engine and the KERS to push RBR down another rung. I think RBR are almost at the peak of their cars performance and they don't have many more options upgrade wise, unless it's for a new, more powerful KERS, which will probably unbalance their car, the 3 teams behind them all look to have better engines, so if they can match and overtake RBR we may still have some competition.
?? when did Hamilton choke it away? I can remember Webber and Alonso choking but I can only remember Hamilton suffering a very dubious 'electrical fault' to lose him the title in 2007, he won it on the last corner in 2008, 2009 he was no where near the title and same last year, that is not choking.
I think Hammilton could have won it last year, his 2 DNF's for running into people and his wheel failure at Barca cost him a good 35 points. Whether you call crasing onto people as a choke, I dont know? I dont think you can say he choked in 2007, he was a rookie and had to compete with Alonso!
I wouldn't say Alonso or Webber choked. If anyone won't choke it's the two of them. Fernando has too much experience and Mark is desperate for success. Last year Ferrari made a bad call which hampered Alonso. Hamilton was very careless last year but overall I wouldn't begrudge Vettel the title last year. It isn't over till the fat lady sings. He isn't choking this year either. Had his victories and second places been a little more evenly distributed over the races so far, I imagine we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's very rare that a team gets the run of success all the time. Mclaren had a singularly amazing year in 1988 but that was because of the change in engine regulations and they were the only turbo runners that year - game set and match virtually. Back to the current situation, it's very competitive out there and the moment either team or driver take their eye off the ball, someone else is right in there with a chance of victory. Sebastian Vettel will win this year quite handsomely I think. There is a lot of ground for everyone else to make up and with the increased performance of the other two teams, they will all be taking points from each other. Sebastian is in a good position so in reality he has the luxury of being able to pace himself to the title. I'm not saying he's doing this but it also doesn't mean he is choking.....
2 or 3 DNF's from Vettel would really liven things up. The points gap aside the biggest issue opposing a non-Vettel WDC is that the 3/4 nearest challengers are alternating results.
If you were Vettel, which would be more important, victories or the title? I say title so if he can cruise it to the crown, why not take the less stressful approach? It's easier on the car too. Never been there myself so my 2c of course
3 more grand prixs until Japan: Spa,Monza,Singapore. Seb loves Suzuka, the two back to back wins in the past proove it.
Ferrari have said that if the cars stay the same then they are positive that they will walk Suzuka. So Vettel might have a bit of competition this year in the shape of Alonso.
I think it's human nature for Vettel to not throw a race away. Whilst others will take chances, he will not have to do so which means that when he is attacked he is less likely now to defend his position to the extent of crashing out.
