Hello again all. I never did get round to writing a review of the Carling Cup Final like I promised in my last post. It's a good thing I didn't because it has all gone downhill for Liverpool since then!
Anyway back to business and it is now less than a week until the start of the new Formula One season. This season just seems to have a real air of anticipation, with all the teams not knowing where they stand in terms of raw pace after pre-season testing, so there is the potential for this to be the best season yet this century.
Of course, the favourite for the Drivers title going into this season is of course Sebastian Vettel. The man has been supreme over his past two championship winning seasons, getting the absolute maximum out of his Red Bull on all but a mere few occasions. The fact that he is just a genuine nice bloke makes his dominance bearable, but it has been said that behind closed doors he has that element of Schumacher in him, striving for perfection at all times. Put all this together and you wouldn't dare bet against him joining a select group (of two actually, Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio) who have won three world titles in a row.
However, I believe that this year won't be as easy for him. The main challenge is I believe (and quietly hoping) is going to come from Lewis Hamilton. He's coming off a horrendous 2011 on and off the track, but even with everything seemingly going wrong, he was still able to show that he still has it. Just look at his pass on Button and Vettel in China and you'll see what I mean. If the 2008 World Champion has got a quick Mclaren to at least match the Red Bulls, is on top form and most importanly, mentally prepared, then Lewis can beat Vettel. I would even stretch out to saying when everything comes together, Hamilton is a better driver than Vettel but consistently must show this if he wants to add a second world championship to his collection.
Of course, we can not forget Mclaren's other driver a certain Jenson Button. He was best of the rest last year, puting in some superb performances, with the best being his win in Canada in the greatest F1 race in my lifetime. From interviews, he seems calm, focused and ready to do battle. He is a dark horse for sure, you can never count him out. If you do he always comes back to prove you wrong, and there is no reason at why Jenson can't go and win his second drivers championship.
Then there's the matter of Ferrari. They have not had the best time of it in pre-season testing, with the cars balance and therfore performance being incredibly erratic. For Fernando Alonso the pressure is huge. This is his third season with Ferrari and the demand for a championship is growing. News about the Scuderia is always in the Italian papers positive and negative, so if success doesn't come soon, the tifosi might just turn its back on the current management setup and Alonso himself. Still, could be worse. Could be Felipe Massa who unless a miracle happens will be out of a drive by the end of the season.
Both Lotus and Mercedes have looked impressive and there are serious murmurs in the paddock that they both could spring a suprise at the first race and beyond. This is desperately needed for Michael Schumacher if he wants to achieve his goal of winning again, the same for Nico Rosberg only that he's still looking for his first trip to the top step of the podium. For Lotus, Kimi Raikonenn is back after two years rallying and looks raring to go, with a young team mate beside in Roman Grosjean, making it perhaps the perfect driver lineup for the team. Whether they can trouble the top teams remains to be seen but the initial signs are good.
The midfield looks like it will be extremely competitive. Paul Di Resta has said that he is really pleased with the new Force India so expect them to be strong. Torro Rosso have a completely new driver lineup which shall be determined to pick up points early, in what potentially be a race between Daniel Riccardo and Jean-Eric Vergne as to who replaces Mark Webber in the Red Bull seat for 2013. Of course the plucky Australian, will not give up without a fight and don't be suprised to see him foghting for more wins this season. The championship unfortunately, I'm afraid is now beyond him. Williams has a Senna back in their car since that fateful day at Imola in 1994 and it shall surely be an emotional moment when we see Ayrtons nephew Bruno roll out of the pits in Melbourne. There are encouraging signs for the team though with profits being made and with a clean slate after last seasons nightmare.
Just a quick side note, it's a pity that Rubens Barichello, one of the true gentlemen of F1 hasn't got a drive for this year. Fingers crossed he might be able to force his way back him in 2013, just like Pedro De La Rosa has this year with HRT, but I fear that this is the end of the road in F1 at least for the man they call Rubinho. I don't think I'd be too far off in saying that apart from Sir Stirling Moss, the greatest driver never to win a world championship.
Finally, there's going to be an intense battle off the track and that's in the world of television. Here in the UK, for the first time ever not all the F1 races will be free to air, as the BBC sacrificed half of the 20 race season in part of wide cost cutting across the coporation. The other half they shall have extensive highlights so it should still be good coverage.
So Sky Sports now have all the races live and there own channel to boot. This is a first for Formula One and it will be fascinating to see how this project plays out. Fortunately for me I get the Sky Sports F1 channel free as my family are on sky and have already the HD package and Sky Sports 1 & 2. You only need one of these two if your provider is sky to get the channel free. Virgin Media, I'm not so sure, I shall go and try find out for all you out there! I watched the channels launch program and I was immediatly impressed. It was slick focused and detailed, with the technology they have at their disposal being the key asset which in turn should get them better access to the teams which will get fans closer to the sport than ever before. Theyare also playing off the nostalgia of the sport, when racing was in a golden age. I can't wait to look back on some of F1s hisotry and Steve Riders' interviews with the legends of the sport Also I cannot imagine watching F1 on TV these days without having Martin Brundle in there. He has replaced Murray Walker as the voice of F1 and thankfully he shall be returning to his preferred role of co-commentator this year alongside David Croft. Not to mention his gridwalks will be entertaining as ever. Personally, although it is sad that another sport has fallen under the grip of the Murdoch empire, it will be fantastic to year of F1 that is Eddie Jordan free!
So sit back and fasten your seatbelts everyone. It should be an incredible season. I shall leave you with my predictions for this season and the link for the video for the opening titles of Skys coverage this season. It is epic, I'm sure you'll love it.
Drivers Championship
1st: Lewis Hamilton
2nd: Sebastian Vettel
3rd: Jenson Button
Constructors Championship
1st: Red Bull
2nd: Mclaren
3rd: Ferrari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw-hqrZLG84
