The Chinese Grand Prix may have made a heralded entrance to the
Formula One schedule four years ago, but even that debut event will not have attracted as much attention as the 2007 instalment, which has the potential to see history being made.
After keeping his head while some of those around him were losing theirs at Fuji,
Lewis Hamilton restored a healthy advantage to his points lead and could clinch the title in Shanghai, becoming the first rookie and first driver of black origin to do so.
McLaren team-mate
Fernando Alonso and
Ferrari's
Kimi Raikkonen remain in contention with two rounds remaining but both need to beat Hamilton this weekend to take the fight to Interlagos. More than that, however, Alonso needs to ensure a two-point gap between himself and his rival - meaning a top two finish at least - while Raikkonen, currently 17 points adrift, really needs the Briton to have a nightmare weekend. Indeed, fans of the Finn,
Bernie Ecclestone and all neutrals will no doubt be counting on a rare Hamilton retirement and victory for Raikkonen to set up a blistering Brazilian GP in two weeks' time.
The only problem there is that Hamilton has yet to retire from any GP.....
FIA F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
As mentioned above, Lewis Hamilton could become a rookie title winner this weekend if results go his way – and that could be a result that would finally lead to team-mate Fernando Alonso electing to leave the McLaren stable. Should that happen, Alonso would be welcomed back at
Renault with open arms, a fact team boss Flavio Briatore has made clear to the Spaniard.
If Alonso was to return, it could see
Heikki Kovalainen forced out of the
regie despite his own impressive debut, with rumours linking him with a switch to
Toyota to replace
Ralf Schumacher, who has confirmed that he will leave the Cologne-based team at the end of the season after three years.
