Once again,
the two categories in the Formula 1 World Championship,
the Constructors' and Drivers' titles will be decided at
the final round, the Brazilian Grand Prix. Scuderia
Ferrari will be fighting to secure both those titles,
boasting the remarkable achievement of having been in
this situation, or in a position where it has already
clinched one or both of the crowns prior to the last
race, in eleven out of the last twelve seasons. The team
can therefore take pride in its achievements, whatever
the outcome this time. In fact, the Scuderia has won a
total of 30 world titles: 15 Drivers' and 15
Constructors'.
This year, the team prize is the one currently closest
to our grasp, given that Ferrari has to protect an
eleven point lead. This puts the team in a relatively
comfortable position. The Constructors' championship is
very important to the Maranello marque for two reasons:
firstly, as a car constructor, it is prestigious to win
a constructors' award and secondly, Formula 1 is a team
sport and victory in this category is therefore a
reflection on the entire team: the Scuderia has lifted
this trophy in eight of the last ten years, a record
without parallel, not just in motor sport, but in most
other international sporting events.
In the Drivers' championship, the task that lies ahead
is a tougher one, although pinpointing the target for
this weekend is simplicity itself: in order to give
Felipe Massa the best possible chance of taking the
title, he and team-mate Kimi Raikkonen must finish first
and second, before waiting to see what Felipe's only
remaining rival can do, an element that is out of
Ferrari's hands. Therefore, while making every effort to
take home both titles, realistically one of the two is
more likely than the other. Although a win on Sunday is
not enough on its own to bring him the title, it is
worth noting that if Felipe is victorious, he will have
won more races than any other driver this year.
On the technical front, the two F2008s will be the same
as those used in the last two Asian races. At this
circuit and at this time of year, which signals the
start of the Brazilian summer, the weather, or more
specifically rain, has often been a significant factor
and currently the weather is quite changeable, with
predictions for it to stay that way over the weekend.
However, the temperatures are still relatively high and
this, combined with the fact that Bridgestone are
bringer softer tyres to Interlagos than were used in
China, should better suit the characteristics of the
F2008, even if the team will have to carry out all the
usual work to best adapt the car to the unique
characteristics of this anti-clockwise, medium downforce
track. One key part of the circuit has always been the
very long high speed run through the final corner,
uphill past the pits and then the downward charge into
the heavy braking area for Turn 1, which is one of the
most exciting overtaking points of the season and has
often produced some thrilling action.
Both Kimi and Felipe have fond memories of Interlagos as
the scene of significant moments in their career: last
year, Raikkonen came from behind to clinch the Drivers'
title and in 2006, Felipe took his second F1 victory
here, becoming the first Brazilian since the late Ayrton
Senna to win his home race.
There is no doubting that this weekend is special and
although the team is totally focussed on the job that
lies ahead, it is approaching the weekend in a relaxed
and calm fashion, in the knowledge that anything is
possible. Last year, Kimi came to Sao Paolo with two
drivers ahead of him in the race for the title and a
seven point deficit, which is the same number of points
by which Felipe trails the leader this time. Until the
chequered flag has fallen, the fight is not over. Our
Brazilian driver can count on huge support from his
local crowd and expectations are high. However, this
mood is a positive one as far as Felipe is concerned and
he has compared it to the advantage a football team can
have when playing at home. Massa will benefit from a
team that is totally united behind him, with everyone
doing their best to help him get the title.
Whatever the outcome at Interlagos, Felipe, Kimi and the
entire team will be on track again just a few days after
the Brazilian Grand Prix, when the Mugello Circuit in
Italy hosts the Ferrari World Finals. This event has
traditionally marked the end of the Prancing Horse
racing season, celebrating not just the achievements of
the Scuderia but also all the factory-backed and
privateer teams competing in the national and FIA GT
Championships, competitors in the one-make Ferrari
Challenge, the Ferrari Historic Challenge, historic F1
cars and the FXX laboratory car programme.
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