Lewis Hamilton is never far from the headlines, and this week has been no different for the man who is established as number one driver at McLaren, even if the team would never admit that. He has spent some time discussing the potential moves available to him with the media and what it would take for McLaren to entice him into re-signing with them, a topic enthusing the fans as much as it could be exciting the likes of Christian Horner, the Red Bull team boss. For now the focus is all on Hockenheim, a wonderful race-track capable of producing breath-taking moments of speed, excitement and danger for even the best drivers.
Friday’s practice was a damp affair, with bumper-car champion Pastor Maldonado controlling his rage long enough to go fastest in FP2 after the McLarens of Button and Hamilton had set the mark in the first session, in that order. The session was also noticeable for another spin/crash for Michael Schumacher, and with his record this season not showing a driver capable of winning, and the increase in damage to his car you’d expect the man to see himself out of the sport come season-end, for his pride as much as his safety.
Sebastian Vettel is favourite to put his Red Bull on pole for their nearly-home race at 7/4 with BetFred, and at a track like Hockenheim you can certainly see his car being quick. There isn’t a huge amount on truly straight tarmac around this circuit and the cornering requires commitment and skill, so I’d expect either Vettel or Hamilton, a 4/1 shot to be there if it is dry. In the wet many things are possible, but the likes of Maldonado and Sergio Perez in the Sauber will close the gap to the top teams if the rain comes down.
World Championship leader Fernando Alonso is 8/1 with BetFred to get pole, but those same folk have him at 5’s to win the race, a clear sign the speed issues in the Ferrari have yet to truly be resolved and the great man is managing his way to victories. Hamilton is 6/1 with Bodog to win, and Vettel 12/5 with youwin, but I think Button’s good pace in practice may be a sign he is ready to take a victory, and at 16/1 with Bet365 there have been few better times to have a flutter on him than right now, with his form poor and the competition stiff. Personally, this is one of my favourite races in the calendar, and I’d urge you not to miss it.
Image credit: f1photos
{ 0 comments… add one now }