"Cato Batista" 25/08/2013 23:42:47 ID #474

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

The race was dry and Vettel had no problem imposing Red Bull’s superiority. Alonso came 2^nd ahead of both Mercedes for yet another superb drive from 9^th place. We were treated to numerous wheel-to-wheel battles up and down the field but the lead was never in question after the second corner.  Let’s get used to the fact that Vettel is flying to his 4 straight World Championship. Raikkonen retired to end his record-breaking 27-straight races scoring points.

 

Curro is taking his first victory of the season with 9 points with a brilliant 1^st -2^nd forecast. He was tied by Erik who played ‘safe’ picking the Dark Horse  (he’s traveling without connection) as it yielded a better than average result (3 pointers in 4^th & 6^th).  Behind the winner 9 colleagues scored 7 points as the rest trailed within 2 points (one exception in 4 points). It was a difficult prediction therefore the very close spread.  All the votes were divided between Vettel and Hamilton to win the race but only Fredrik and Curro correctly guessed Alonso in second place. Three members hit gold marks with Rosberg in 4^th, two had Button in 6^th, only one placed Webber in 5^th (Fernando); nobody expected Hamilton to finish 3^rd leaving that column empty.

 

 

The lead of the Championship race continues to be Santiago’s and Manbos’s personal battleground, the ‘Spanish Armada’ is tied at 83 two points clear of me (81) and four on top of Joe (79), then Tim (78) taking fifth ahead of Carlos (77) with Lou, Uwe & Fernando (76) tied next; closing the top 10 still is Curro (74). Ricardo (62) holds firm of the red lantern not making or losing ground to Matias (64) and Ricky & Alberto (65), but neither Fredrik (66) can find a sigh of relief. The point spread is only 21 points from top to bottom, the closest in record.

 

 

Now, to warm up the 2-week waiting period until de Italian GP (6-8 September) I want to leave you with a little bit of homework to do: I want you to think from all the drivers you have seen (or since you follow F1) who are your all-time 5 favorites. This topic makes the rounds among the illustrious CFA members from time to time and I’d been suggested several times to make it official. If you prefer to accompany your choices adding a personal comment will be even better. I’ll ask for your responses by September 5^th in our GP Preview. I hope you enjoy thinking about it and share your reflections with the rest of us.

Until then

Cheers

Cato