Formula 1: Who will win in Valencia?

Lewis Hamilton defied the conspiracy theorists and won Round 7 in Canada. Hamilton’s brain-trust chose the better tyre strategy which assisted his romp through the field to P1. With the victory, Hamilton extended the unpredictable nature of the 2012 F1 season. Gamblers are still scratching their heads and crushing their bet slips because accurately selecting the winner at each Round has now become an art requiring an actuary!

In Canada, Lewis Hamilton became the season’s seventh winner, in as many races. But, with the win, Hamilton is sitting at the head of the class with 88 points. He has no comfort zone though. The ‘Spanish Bull’, Alonso, is only 2 points away in 2nd and the defending World Champion, Sebastian Vettel is a mere downshift away in 3rd .

The roaming series takes its road-show to Europe this weekend for Round 8. The streets of Valencia, Spain will be the scene of the chess match. The street circuit, which has 25 corners forced into 5.4 km, will determine if the first repeat winner emerges or the current status quo of new race – new winner – continues.

Lewis Hamilton is acutely aware of the opportunity he now has, but, I am certain that everyone else is burning the midnight oil inorder to disrupt his momentum.

Vettel

Sebastian Vettel was a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman recently. He spoke about the street circuit being built in New Jersey. He suggested that the track “looks very quick” and he also added – “you need some big balls” – to drive the circuit as expected. Will he have the balls required to win in Valencia? Who will be the first repeat winner in 2012? Will the trend (new race, new winner) continue? Who will win in Valencia?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer