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6 sports SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010 CHINA DAILY TOP-FOUR SHOWDOWN FOR THE GRAND PRIX FINALE IN ABU DHABI FERNANDO ALONSO MARK WEBBER SEBASTIAN VETTEL LEWIS HAMILTON Standings: 1 (246 points) Standings: 2 (238 points) Standings: 3 (231 points) Standings: 4 (222 points) The Spanish Ferrari driver, who is widely regarded as the The 34-year-old Australian has proved that hard work and The young record-breaker, whose rise to promi- The 2008 champion is Formula One’s fi rst black fi nest of his generation, is a hugely committed and com- endless determination can take you to the top. His and nence in Formula One appeared to have set him driver and was once seen as being as much the en- petitive sportsman who has won two world titles already Alonso’s careers have mirrored one another’s under the on a blazing trail to world glory, has revealed both ergy and heart of McLaren as Vettel is the symbol while with Renault. The 29-year-old ace from Oviedo has management of fl amboyant Italian Flavio Briatore as Webber sides of his character in his racing this year. At 23, of Red Bull. At 25, he has proved this year that he a rare mix of fi nesse, technical acumen, raw talent and has slogged his way up to emerge as a serious title contender. it is not a surprise that he can deliver hugely stun- has the talent, understanding of his car and mas- mental strength, and he has demonstrated this clearly Tall, arguably the fi ttest driver of all, fueled by raw aggression ning and wholly committed qualifying laps and tery of the complex technology to be a major threat this year by inspiring Ferrari’s recovery from a mid- and competitiveness, he is also a man of fi nesse in the cock- great surges of speed during races. However, he is but still reveals streaks of impetuosity that have season patch of modest form to become a late-season pit and a realist who tells the truth, as he sees it, out of it. This also prone to impetuous outbursts and mistakes, resulted in accidents and retirements and cost challenger for his third title in his maiden season with the earned him much admiration but also irked a few of the more some of them serious misjudgements that lead to points. Unlikely to be quick enough in his McLaren team. Experienced and also a great strategist, he rarely political movers in Formula One and left him rather isolated accidents, and these have cost him large swathes to threaten to win, but he could, if inspired, create makes mistakes but has in the past shown that he can be in the Red Bull empire where, as he put it, his title challenge of points. In this race, he will need to prove he havoc as he fi ghts for a podium position. In this rattled under severe pressure or when he is unable to get was “inconvenient” in a team built for and around his rival and has the mind management and composure of a race, he could achieve anything but must control his own way. But with an eight-point lead and a fast and teammate Sebastian Vettel. His much-improved qualifying champion, not just the speed. his worst enemy — himself. reliable car, he is unlikely to be in severe diffi culties if he form should see him near the front of the grid, but his greater follows his recent strategy of remaining calm and fi nish- talent is his racing. ing on the podium again. Four-man title race marks season fi nale Alonso hopes to resist pressure from Webber, Vettel, Hamilton and complete world championship hat-trick ABU DHABI — Fernando F1 ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX Alonso, Formula One’s very Yas Marina circuit Last race own Spanish matador, yearns 14 November 2010 Gear 6 7 316 260 to put Red Bull to the sword 81 2 2 70 Speed 3 this weekend and become the (km/h) 125 sport’s youngest triple world 7 300 champion. Unless, of course, Sebastian Lap length Vettel, last year’s winner of the 6 5.554 km 3 260 inaugural day- 113 7 6 Number of laps MOTOR night Abu Dhabi 300 290 55 3 127 SPORTS Grand Prix, sees 6 275 Total distance red and either 305.355 km tramples the 2009 winner S. Vettel ABU Ferrari driver’s challenge or 3 110 UAE DHABI helps teammate Mark Web- 3128 Lap record ber do it instead. S. Vettel Still only 23 but very much Source: FIA AFP 1:40.279 the cheeky-faced assassin, Germany’s Vettel can himself last Sunday to secure the be looking out for them, let- become the youngest man to Austrian-owned but British- ting them past or anything take the title in an unprece- based team a fi rst construc- like that.” dented and thrilling four-way tors’ crown. Which of the four will end of season championship “I just need to finish sec- emerge triumphant after a battle in Abu Dhabi. ond,” Alonso said. “It doesn’t rollercoaster ride to match Whether the youngster matter who wins in Abu Dha- anything on off er in the newly will be in a position to do so, bi if I fi nish second. With that, opened Ferrari World theme in what could be the closest the problem is fi nished.” park next to the Yas Marina championship in 60 years of Plain-talking Webber has circuit is anybody’s guess. F1, depends on a plethora of his own plan and is ready to Th e fat lady, as Webber put permutations. complete his transformation it, is getting into position and Th e three leading contend- from perceived journeyman about to clear her throat. ers could even end up on to popular champion and end Controversy, in a sport Sunday aft ernoon tied on 256 Australia’s 30-year wait for a whose history is as checkered points, with Vettel winning a third world beater to join Jack as the final flag that waves countback on the most fourth Brabham and Alan Jones. through the winner, is sure to places. McLaren’s Lewis Hamil- join her on the stage. “It is going to be a stressful ton, 24 points off Alonso and Vettel may help Webber if weekend for all of us, but this needing a miracle to regain he cannot win the title him- is Formula One and anything his lost 2008 crown, could self, but the team will not be can happen,” said Alonso, yet defy the bookmakers’ issuing any orders from the who can end the season as he 100-1 odds against him with pitwall, unlike Ferrari. started it in Bahrain — with the upset to end all upsets in “To interfere with the driv- a win. front of a sell-out crowd. ers was never a possibility for Alonso currently leads with “I’ve still a shot at it, so us,” Red Bull owner Dietrich 246 points to Webber’s 238 I will try and win,” he told Mateschitz said this week. “A and 231 for Vettel, who led reporters. “Th ey’ve lots more second place under correct a Red Bull one-two in Brazil to lose than I have, so I won’t circumstances might be bet- ter than a win on grounds of orders and confi rmations.” If Alonso wins by fewer than the seven points he gained when Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa was ordered by Ferrari to let him win at Hockenheim in July, then there will be those who say his title is tainted. “Fernando is an exception- al driver. Some will be disap- pointed with what happened at Hockenheim and question whether he deserves it. I just hope he wins it by more than seven points,” outgoing champion Jenson Button said at the weekend. If Red Bull’s duo opens the door for Alonso to claim the championship, there will also be questions asked about how the most dominant team on the starting grid managed to squander its advantage. REUTERS.

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