Race for the World Championship… there can only be one
By David Mirsky

High Noon at Formula 1: MB Vs. Ferrari

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 5/1/07 — Time is running out for 2008′s Formula 1 season. And like last year’s championship run, this year’s championship has come down to the Brazilian Grand Prix, the final race of this season. It’s turned out to be a duel between point’s leader, British driver Lewis Hamilton and his McLaren-Mercedes and the Ferrari of Felipe Massa, racing on his home track. As it stands now, Hamilton has a seven point advantage on Massa, and needs to only finish 5th or better to become World Champion. Or, Massa needs to win the race and Hamilton basically needs to finish in 6th or worse.
Who to bet on? It’s a tough one to predict. Hamilton is a hot driver with amazing talent, who is visibly determined to win at any cost, and that includes the World Championship. He’s also got McLaren power which has been very fast and very reliable for the better part of the year. And he’s also got a seven point advantage over Massa. Then there’s Massa, the young and equally talented young Brazilian driver. Massa seems to have more finesse than Hamilton, and has a more level head when adversity hits…Hamilton has a tendency to panic. Massa doesn’t panic, he gets faster. Ferrari’s have had their shares of problems this year, but for the most part are reliable and fast. The Brazilian track seems to be suited to the Ferrari more than the McLaren. The Ferrari’s are quicker out of the turns, while the McLarens seem a little faster down the straights. However, all of that could be moot if the prediction of rain on race day becomes real. A wet track changes everything for the cars and drivers…tires, aerodynamics, fuel loads, and of course the drivers. Both Hamilton and Massa can drive in the rain, maybe not as well as Michael Schumacher used to, or even this year’s surprise winner, Sebastian Vettel in Germany. I think the best wet weather drivers are Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, both winning World Champions.
This Saturday saw Felipe Massa win the pole position in front of his home crowd, which gives him a slight advantage on the start. Hamilton qualified in 4th place, probably because of a heavier fuel load, or because he’s being cautious, and avoiding of the Ferraris into the first turn of this tight track. I understand Hamilton…he’s leading the points and should protect himself. Massa needs to work harder because of that seven point deficit.
The two drivers, the two cars, the two teams are the right ones to be in contention for the championship this year. They are also in a battle for the Constructor’s Championship as well. Each win and position gives points to the teams, similar as paying points to the drivers. And, for the the teams, this is more important than which driver wins the championship. Not only does the winning team get a trophy and the bragging rights of being the best of the year, they also get tons of money. Each point they win translates into big bucks, as each point contributes to the millions of dollars given to the teams to go towards their expenses and future funding. So there are two battles going on, this last race of the season…a season that’s been mostly entertaining and exciting this year. This is the must see race of the year…it just doesn’t get any better than this. Two racing giants, two talented drivers, and all the marbles are up for grabs. There is no tomorrow here…its “take no prisoner’s” time, and a new champion will be crowned…this should prove to be a hell of a race. Do not miss this one . Set you alarm clock, set your TIVO…grab your friends, and get ready to watch what should be a great race for the World Championship.