Italian GP likely to narrow field of F1 contenders

By Paul Logothetis, AP Auto Racing Writer MADRID — The trio of drivers chasing Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber in the Formula One standings will need to make up some ground at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend to keep the title race from becoming a two-man affair during the final event in Europe this season. Although five drivers are still in the hunt with six races left, Hamilton of McLaren and Webber of Red Bull have opened up some room atop the standings after finishing 1-2 at the Belgian GP. Hamilton has 182 points to lead Webber by three, while Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull fell behind after another lapse of judgment in Belgium. Vettel crashed into defending F1 champion Jenson Button at Spa, knocking the McLaren driver out of the race and leaving Vettel out of the points. Vettel has 151 points, Button 147 and Fernando Alonso remained on 141 Wednesday after F1′s governing body decided to not sanction Ferrari or its drivers beyond a $100,000 fine already levied. Ferrari was accused of breaking F1 rules by ordering Felipe Massa to let Alonso overtake him for the win at the German Grand Prix in July, but a FIA disciplinary hearing decided the team’s 1-2 finish will stand. McLaren has an edge, however, as Hamilton and Button were running 1-2 until Vettel’s erratic passing maneuver. That momentum is expected to carry over to the track outside of Milan, which is the circuit’s fastest and is well-suited to the British team. Things are looking better for McLaren, however, as Hamilton and Button were running 1-2 until Vettel’s erratic overtaking maneuver. That momentum is expected to carry over to the track outside of Milan, which is the circuit’s fastest and is well-suited to the British team. “Our pace over the whole weekend in Belgium was extremely encouraging,” Button said, “so I’m optimistic that we’ll be able to maintain that form in Italy.” Red Bull has consistently been the fastest team in qualifying, taking the pole position in 12 of 13 races, but has only managed to convert that into six victories, with Webber taking four of them. The Italian race could provide an extra challenge as Red Bull’s straight-line speed isn’t its strongest point. “I think we can still do well at Monza,” Webber said. “We might have a bit more in the way of opposition. Besides Ferrari, McLaren and…

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Posted by admin 8 September 2010

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