Formula 1: Hamilton vs Rosberg – the war resumes at Spa!

F1′s top brass must be wearing a clown’s smile based on what has unfolded thus far. With sweeping rule-changes, teams were forced to grapple with the myriad challenges a clean-sheet serves, for all of the three square meals in a hectic F1 day! The Red Bull Racing championship-winning dynasty, thankfully, is dead – Vettel’s glass house has been invaded by a diamond-led, stone army!

Mercedes AMG

While Christian Horner and company wrap their fingers into a Brazilian plait as they point to all the factors responsible for their demise, Mercedes AMG remains as industrious as an ambitious worker bee, fine-tuning their championship acceptance speech. Eleven scintillating Rounds have sped by and fans, despite the summer-break, are still immersed in tales of speed. A rapid  perusal of the results sheet will confirm Mercedes’ Sumo wrestler-like stranglehold – Mercedes drivers – 9 victories, Red Bull driver – Ricciardo – 2 victories (Vettel-sad face).

The crushing blows delivered by Mercedes AMG at each of the Rounds of the multi-continent tour have resulted in a points-haul that would make the Captain of a trawler proud. Mercedes AMG is vacationing on South Beach with 393 points, while a flustered, breathless Red Bull Racing is possibly pacing the floor of Mr Mateschitz’s interrogation room with 219 points (face in palms)! A bet against Mercedes AMG winning the constructors championship could be compared to hoping for world peace – “it aint happening”!

The 2014 drivers’ championship, by comparison, is the erratic, fuming, active volcano we all hoped for. It is a hot-bed of drama, suspense and James Bond-type intrigue which would rival the entire season of the most watched reality TV series! As suggested earlier, Mercedes AMG drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are locked in a victory-claiming race. Lewis Hamilton has a minute advantage – he leads 5 – 4, but where it matters most, the points-race, Rosberg is ahead – 202 pts while Hamilton follows closely – 191 pts.

Hamilton

At the most recent Round in Hungary, the Richter Scale lost track of the earthquake which shook the pit-wall when Mercedes issued a callous and incomprehensible order to Hamilton who was buried in his attempt to salvage all he could from the GP, bearing in mind that his race began from pit-lane. The summer-break, based on reports, was used to heal the wounds the puerile miscalculation caused and clarity, fortified with rebuilt purpose, now reigns at Mercedes AMG.

The debacle in Hungary, at present, occupies a paragraph in F1′s colorful history. Bernie’s global circus is now at one of F1 most iconic venues – Spa Francorchamps. Hamilton, according to reports, is ahead on the time-sheets, but Rosberg is a mere wheel away, followed by the Prancing Horse’s stallion, Alonso.

The drivers’ championship is delicately poised and the truce is over. Hamilton vs Rosberg – the war will resume on Sunday. Prepare for the shelling!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer