In my previous sensible (according to our Sarge) post, I omitted to mention that despite tipping all three of Vettel's nearest challengers as worthy of a bet, I actually think Hamilton is the most likely to be this year's runner-up. Just. I don't seriously think he'll get close enough to disturb Vettel's head; but I suppose I do see him as a slightly bigger threat than Alonso and Räikkönen. There now. Perhaps I've undone Bhaji's flattering opinion!
Another thing to consider is that Vettel's standard modus operandi has been disturbed by Mercedes' superior qualifying performance: his 'stick it on pole and leave all rivals for dust' routine has been curtailed and, although he has shown overtaking ability, he is still weaker when he is behind and prone to errors. This may benefit all his rivals and not just Lewis, who will not be able to capitalise unless Mercedes' tyre problems really have been improved. However, I still feel that the title is most likely Vettel's again because, at worst, I think he'll gain enough points to hang on (cf. Button 2009) or Red Bull will be strong on updates and he'll be back in front.
Hamilton has the best car, so by default is Vettel's biggest threat. Alonso is obviously a far better driver than the pair of them, but he might as well use a soapbox racer, as that may have more of a chance of winning than his current pile of garbage.
He hasn't won a WDC in nearly 7 years and has had opportunities to do so. I think he's losing his edge.
Ferrari haven't given him the car he deserves yet. Give anyone his cars since 2008 and nobody would have gotten a championship in them. The Red Bull has been at least over half a second faster on average.
2007 an engine failure in Japan took him out of it, then he got stuck at Renault for two years because of his arrogance, but he could have won in 2010 for sure. Up to you whether you blame lack of overtaking opportunities or ability at that race. 2011 no chance. 2012 was probably Ferrari's fault for not developing well enough at the very end of the season, but I think his form over the rest of the season proves he's not losing his edge at all.
This is the first season ever that Alonso has disappointed me, he's seemed almost lacklustre at a few races now. Maybe it's due to Internal battles or maybe it's just the modern driving styles, who knows.
Pretty much how I feel about it... I imagine that's why his frustration is beginning to show. He had no right to be in the title fight last season, but was. It may be will he's lacking rather than ability atm.
I believe if mercedes could get both cars on the front row and Vettel gets locked up in a battle in with Kimi and Alonzo in the next couple of races and once he doesn't make it to the front early he will start trying those moves like he did in the last race which almost cost him his front wing. He could have easily been out of that race in his tangle with Button and also when he clashed with Kimi during the last few laps of the race. Somehow Vettel needs to blast out to take the lead or else he starts complaining about other cars and making risky overtaking moves. The question is. Will he be cautious in the second half in trying to protect his lead or will he be aggressive at the start and risk a DNF? I am sure these things will be playing in his head and especially if he doesn't win the next race.
I think Vettel's problems overtaking in Hungary were more a side effect of the track rather than his lack of ability to pass, to be fair.
Must be remembering it wrong. Oh well. He shouldn't really have been in the title fight by the last race, got unexpectedly thrown back into it by Hamilton's retirement from China, but he never had a chance of beating the two Ferraris in Brazil.
