It's been looking likely as far back as the German Grand Prix in July and this weekend in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Formula One fans will witness the most exciting end to a season since the sport began. Four drivers can still win the world title, and while Lewis Hamilton has little chance of doing so, Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel will all go into the race believing they can walk away with the title.
The finale is a vindication of FIA President Bernie Ecclestone's decision to revamp the points system; essentially with more points available no driver has been able to take a decisive lead in the championship. Fernando Alonso has an eight point lead and will wrap up the title if he finishes first or second, regardless of what else happens. However he's up against the twin Red Bull threat of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel, who will no doubt be looking to manouvere themselves onto the front row of the grid and shoot out the title between them. Should the two Red Bull's get onto the front row you literally couldn't figure out who had the upper hand; with 25 points for a win and 18 for a second place, the seven point gap between Vettel and Webber would mean they'd finish level on points should they come home in that order. It would then go down to the driver who had won the most races...which in that scenario would be Vettel. Throwing a spanner in the works for the young German driver, however, would be the need for Fernando Alonso only to finish fourth and therefore pip them both to the title.
There are so many permutations and combinations that this weekend will make for fascinating viewing. If the field was Vettel-Webber-Alonso heading towards the final lap, would Vettel move over and allow Webber through to win the title? How would the FIA, the sport's governing body, view such a move, considering team orders are strictly prohibited? Add to the fire the fact that Vettel and Webber have had a less than cordial relationship this year, Vettel moving over to hand a man a title he feels clearly should be his...well Eastenders on Monday night will have nothing on this.
Championship betting:
5/6 Fernando Alonso
6/4 Mark Webber
8/1 Sebastian Vettel
80/1 Lewis Hamilton
