Since the second half of the Formula 1 season has begun Lewis Hamilton has had extraordinary luck. The Petronas Mercedes driver has had a string of victories that has enabled him to move further ahead in the championship. Scuderia Ferrari driver, Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton’s main competition, has had the opposite experience. Since racing resumed this summer, Vettel has experienced problem after problem, including one that left him starting from the back of the field in the Malaysian Grand Prix
Where there is a will, there is a way
Sebastian Vettel is determined to follow in the footsteps of his mentor, Michael Schumacher.
During the time that Schumacher was with Scuderia Ferrari, they won five world championships. Ferrari has not won a championship since 2007 and Vettel is focused on changing that. After a dismal performance two weeks ago in the Singapore Grand Prix, Vettel desperately needed to win some points and close the distance between him and rival Lewis Hamilton. In practice both Vettel and his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, were fast. They turned blistering laps while both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas struggled with an unknown problem. Come time to qualify, however, things were different. Vettel experienced an engine problem that forced an engine change. The issue meant that Vettel would have to start at the back of the pack.
Raikkonen bobbled during his qualifying run and opened the door for Hamilton to take the poll, which he did.
In practice both Vettel and his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, were fast. They turned blistering laps while both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas struggled with an unknown problem. Come time to qualify, however, things were different.
Vettel experienced an engine problem that forced an engine change. The issue meant that Vettel would have to start at the back of the pack. Raikkonen bobbled during his qualifying run and opened the door for Hamilton to take the poll, which he did.
Moreover, the race did not have a promising start. Before the cars could even roll to the grid, Kimi Raikkonen experienced a problem with his engine and had to be returned to the pits.
The Finn never made it back out, and Ferrari’s only chance was left in the hands of Sebastian Vettel, who was starting dead last. Vettel, however, remained undaunted and masterfully made his way through the field. In a display of sheer heart and determination, Vettel took his red Ferrari from the last place to fourth, just barely missing a place on the podium. While Lewis Hamilton finished second and extended his lead to 34 points, Vettel kept himself and Ferrari within striking distance with his drive.
It’s not in the bag yet
While rumors are already starting to fly that Lewis Hamilton will win the championship, it is clear that the fight is not over yet. Sebastian Vettel retains a chance to capture the championship and is still a viable threat.
If Scuderia Ferrari and Vettel put together good drives for the next four races, it is more than possible for Vettel to win. As Formula 1 heads to Japan for the next race, both Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton will be ready to fight for their teams and the championship.
