The Brazilian Grand Prix is finally here. Although we have been fortunate enough to avoid the race for the practice and qualifying, we will most likely have a rain race. It is disappointing since this race is better in the dry conditions and it is an important race in the championship battle between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton.
Of course, one of the Mercedes drivers will most likely win the race. Rosberg has managed to out perform Hamilton all weekend, however, the deciding factor of this race will most likely be the rain. Hamilton strives in the wet conditions, whereas Rosberg struggles. It will of course be a Mercedes 1-2 finish, with Hamilton leading Rosberg. However, if Hamilton has yet to pass Rosberg near the closing portion of the race, it is quite possible that he will simply stay behind to ensure that he does not push too hard and crash out of the race. No matter where either driver finishes in the race, both will have the possibility to take the championship in the double points race.
Felipe Massa has performed admirably in the weekend and this being his home Grand Prix, he will surely be wanting to win in front of his home crowd. He has a very successful record at this track and is in a great car, capable of winning. He is also a good rain racer. He should be able to secure the final podium position regardless of whether the race is run in the wet or dry conditions. Massa’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, has also performed great in the weekend, despite be replaced for the first free practice session. He has shocked everyone with his race performance and should be able to get a fourth place finish.
I would leave the fifth position open for Fernando Alonso. He is also a great rain driver, as he demonstrated in Hungary. It would have been nice to use his performance in Japan as an example, but unfortunately a mechanical failure took him out of the race during the safety car period. Alonso has been able to finish near fifth position in most of the previous races, so I see no reason why that would be any different this round.
This should be a great race. I hope the rain stays away to allow drivers to perform at their best, but it doesn’t look like that is realistic wish at the current time. I am sad that I will not be able to watch the race live, but rather I will be forced to watch the race replay on SkySportsF1. I can’t wait to see how close this race will make the championship battle.
1 Lewis Hamilton
2 Nico Rosberg
3 Felipe Massa
4 Valtteri Bottas
5 Fernando Alonso
