Formula 1: Who will win the Japanese GP?

We had the appetizer. It was delectable. Fifteen rounds of a competitive and highly intriguing season are behind us and in a sport which usually has a clear winner/ leader at this stage, it appears as if the 2010 F1 season is really saving the best for last. A quick glance at the top 5 in the points standings, will confirm that a F1 fan’s dream of a title fight going down to the wire is indeed a reality:

1. Mark Webber -       202 pts
2. Fernando Alonso – 191 pts
3. Lewis Hamilton -   182 pts
4. Sebastian Vettel -   181 pts
5. Jenson Button -      177 pts

The new for 2010 points system, awards points to the top ten finishers as outlined below:
1st : 25 pts, 2nd : 18 pts, 3rd : 15 pts, 4th : 12 pts, 5th : 10 pts, 6th : 8 pts, 7th : 6 pts,   8th : 4 pts, 9th : 2 pts and 10th : 1 pt. Even though it was hoped that a close battle would materialize, I don’t think the F1 top brass had bargained for what they are now getting.

Red Bull Racing

When the season began, Red Bull Racing (RBR) had all the cards, but they weren’t kept close enough to their wailing Renault V8 motors. Guerilla tactics were employed by McLaren in the first instance and then by Ferrari. Both F1 heavyweights sneaked up and pounced on the complacent Red Bulls. The McLaren pair of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button revved their way into the championship hunt. Hamilton lost his way however, and reaped 2 successive dnfs. Hamilton’s misfortune cleared a path for Alonso, who rode a resurgent Ferrari wave, grabbed 2 wins and is now in 2nd, 11 points from Webber in P1.

The Japanese GP at Suzuka presents another opportunity for the five ambitious, voracious warriors, known as F1 drivers, to lay it all on the line as they vie for world supremacy. The 2010 F1 World Championship awaits the skilled, the bold and of utmost significance, the fortunate.

Will Webber extend his lead? Will Alonso overtake him on track and in the points standing? Will Vettel return to his winning ways? The Japanese GP is this Sunday.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer