Hi folks...
It couldn't be much closer heading to Japan now, with Schumacher and Alonso tied for points in the drivers' championship and
Renault only one point up on Ferrari in the manufacturers'. It really is all to play for, which is great for us, but not so good for those battling it out for the titles.
Whoever holds their nerve could be critical in deciding who takes the ultimate prizes.
Furthermore, while both Michael and Fernando and Ferrari and Renault have been fantastic this year, there can only be one winner in both championships and they all know it.
I said the weather could be the 'key' at Suzuka and Interlagos and, as it turned out, it was also pretty important in China.
That pit-stop really cost the
regie and Alonso, and they may regret that big time come the end of the season. Why they opted to change Fernando's front tyres was a strange one and, having built up a 20-odd second cushion, he lost it as a result. They really threw it away and that is something you just can’t afford to do when you are fighting with Schumacher and
Ferrari.
It’s on to Japan now, and a chance for Alonso and Renault to try and stop the momentum being built up by Schumacher and Ferrari. At least they don’t have long to wait to try and put things right - and neither do we, which is even better.
Can they actually do it and can Alonso re-take the lead in the drivers' championship now he has lost it, however? Those are the big, BIG questions.
Suzuka is a very technical circuit and a tough track too. It's got that figure-of-eight configuration, and is bumpy.
It is one of those tracks that the drivers always look forward to as a little bit of commitment can really reward you. At the same time, though, if you push too much, you can get caught out, and we have seen many an accident there over the years.
Despite that, though, it is, without a doubt, a great circuit, and probably one of the best in the world. It’s a shame it doesn’t look like we will be going there in 2007.
