- 18 Nov 12, 16:01#334636
2010, 19th race of the season, Sebastian Vettel on pole position, locked in a championship battle with Fernando Alonso.
The race starts not great but alright for Alonso, but focussing on the wrong Red Bull driver, he suddenly finds himself back in 7th place. With Vettel leading the race, he needs 4th to win the championship. All that stands between him and the championship are the Renaults of Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica and the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg. We all know what happened.
Fast-forward to 2012, and we start the 19th race of the season in a somewhat similar situation as half-way through Abu Dhabi 2010 race. Vettel is in front, with Alonso further back the field: 8th place on the grid. If Vettel wins, Fernando needs at least a 4th place finish to still have a shot at the title in Brazil.
Between Alonso and 4th place are Nico Hülkenberg, Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher and the Renault of Kimi Räikkönen (with Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton ahead of that). It's probably safe to assume that Felipe will be told to roll over and die and Nico will fall pray to the Spanish bull as well, but then he also needs to catch both Schumacher and Räikkonen.
The similarities are spooky. Will he be able to overcome Abu Dhabi 2010, or who will be 2012's Petrov? (i.e., the guy finishing just ahead)
The race starts not great but alright for Alonso, but focussing on the wrong Red Bull driver, he suddenly finds himself back in 7th place. With Vettel leading the race, he needs 4th to win the championship. All that stands between him and the championship are the Renaults of Vitaly Petrov and Robert Kubica and the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg. We all know what happened.
Fast-forward to 2012, and we start the 19th race of the season in a somewhat similar situation as half-way through Abu Dhabi 2010 race. Vettel is in front, with Alonso further back the field: 8th place on the grid. If Vettel wins, Fernando needs at least a 4th place finish to still have a shot at the title in Brazil.
Between Alonso and 4th place are Nico Hülkenberg, Felipe Massa, Michael Schumacher and the Renault of Kimi Räikkönen (with Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton ahead of that). It's probably safe to assume that Felipe will be told to roll over and die and Nico will fall pray to the Spanish bull as well, but then he also needs to catch both Schumacher and Räikkonen.
The similarities are spooky. Will he be able to overcome Abu Dhabi 2010, or who will be 2012's Petrov? (i.e., the guy finishing just ahead)
The less intelligent observers say anyone could do it in that car.
