Crash.net’s Russell Atkins looks ahead to this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, as one of the most dramatic Formula 1 seasons in recent memory nears what looks set to be a thrilling conclusion…
Formula 1 in 2007 has seen everything – on-track thrills n’ spills, intrigue and controversy away from it, a new wonder kid in
Lewis Hamilton, a double world champion falling out with his team in the most spectacular style, allegations of cheating, the biggest fine in sporting history and a three-way title battle right the way down to the wire.
Just seven points separate Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes team-mate
Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s
Kimi Raikkonen heading to Brazil, and the backdrop could scarcely be a more spectacular one. One of the most popular tracks on the grand prix calendar, Interlagos has been an
F1 fixture since 1972 – and home to the Brazilian Grand Prix every year since 1990. World champions
Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen, Jacques Villeneuve,
Damon Hill,
Ayrton Senna,
Nigel Mansell and Emerson Fittipaldi all triumphed there en route to the crown, and this weekend will offer either Hamilton, Alonso or Raikkonen the opportunity to follow suit.
Though the Briton may be the favourite on paper – holding a four-point advantage over the Spaniard and seven over the Finn – he is the only one of the trio never to have raced at the demanding anti-clockwise track before, and arrives there under some pressure following his costly retirement from the Chinese Grand Prix a fortnight ago. As 22 F1 engines get ready to roar into life one last time this year, all bets are off.
FIA F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS
The biggest talking point since Shanghai has undoubtedly been the FIA’s decision to designate an Interlagos official to keep a close eye on what goes on inside the
McLaren garage throughout the Interlagos weekend.
