Sunday Update. I guess the best way to find out who will win the race would be to ring up the head steward and ask him, as it seems the powers that be have decided that Alonso must not be allowed to win. As they are in Italy it will have to be a red car, and as Schumacher has to win the World Championship, logically it will be him. I have this feeling that if any other car has the cheek not to read the script and try and beat Michael, the stewards will just give them a penalty, ‘drive through penalty for Raikkonen for causing Michaels Ferrari to experience being in second place’. Seems to be about the level we are at these days. Maybe Bernie and Max have been watching WWF Wrestling and decided that as millions of people watch that despite knowing that it is a charade, then they can stage manage the season to ensure a ‘thrilling end of season finale’. It stinks and not for the first time this season, Renault have been shafted. It would be very sweet if Schumacher failed to finish today, and all the pans of the plotters were left shattered, but that rarely happens. What may happen is that Schumacher will drive one of his bad races. He is very suspect under pressure and despite having a lot of off track help, he gets very clumsy when the title is getting close. He needs nothing less than a win, especially if Alonso moves his way through the field as I expect he will do. Alonso is probably the finest driver in the world at present, perhaps Kimi can match him in an equal car, but that is about it. Expect an enraged Alonso to be super aggressive today and show us a master class of attacking driving. If Schumacher gets a sight of Alonso in his rear view mirrors, expect errors to creep in. Yes the script says Schumacher to win but perhaps the leading actor will fluff his lines? Raikkonen and McLaren have been something of an enigma this season. That is 3 pole positions from the last 4 races, yet no one really expected it. He has had 5 podium finishes, but just as many DNF’s, he has had 2 fastest laps but only once has he really looked like a potential race winner, in Canada. The fact that it was in Montreal that he drove his best race is interesting as it is another track that is at the lower end of the downforce scale and hard on brakes. Clearly the McLaren is suited to the demands of the track. History is on his side as well, with 6 of the last 8 Italian GP’s have been won from pole position. If he can get a lead out of the first chicane unscathed and in the lead, he has a realistic chance of a win. Of course he will have to be very careful that Schumacher does not simply cut across the chicane and take the lead. That used to be illegal, but following Michael Schumacher’s drive in Hungary were he cut the chicanes to keep ahead of De la Rosa, the FIA have now officially said that it is OK to do it. Call me a cynic, but I wonder what would happen if Alonso used that tactic to pass Massa for 3rd place this afternoon? 3 points Raikkonen to win the Italian GP at 4/1 with Stan James, UKBetting, Totalbet. lost 3 points The BMW Saubers have been very fast all weekend and while I feel they may well be carrying less fuel and will drop back a little, they are exceptionally fast along the straights here which will make them very hard to pass. Kubica is not very experienced but if he can get through the first lap intact, he has an excellent chance of a top 8 finish. lost 3 points 4 points Kubica to finish in the points @ 21/10 with ExtraBet. won 4.4 points The Toyota’s have struggled for grip all weekend and are not looking good. When things don’t go well, Trulli throws in the towel very quickly. Ralf Schumacher is a little more resolute and will try and get a point or two on a track he has done well on in the past. Ralf is just 1 row behind and looks decent value to beat his team mate. 4 points R. Schumacher to beat Trulli at evens with BlueSq., Skybet lost 4 points I expect Alonso to drive like the very hounds of hell are biting at his heels this afternoon, he will be very motivated by the unjust decision of the stewards and has the talent to take his car to the very limit. The team were convinced he could win, even from 5th on the grid, but not from 10th. He will need to get every point he can and expect him to really go for it today. Again the first chicane is a worry for a driver in the middle of the pack, but if he can get through intact, watch him go. It is worth a small bet that he sets the fastest lap. 1 point Alonso to set the fastest lap of the race at 6/1 with Stan James. lost 1 point. |
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