"Cato Batista" 26/08/2011 20:03:41 ID #105
Señoras y señores:
We spent 4 very long weeks in limbo, but the wait is over, we return to Formula 1 racing this weekend at the great Spa Francocharms for the Belgium Grand Prix.
Looking at the results from the last 3 races we find no Red Bull & VET at the top of the podium. ALO, HAM and BUT had beaten the reigning Champ and if it seems almost impossible that the young German will not win the title again at least it’s clear that we’ll have a real fight for every GP until the end of the season between the top 3 teams.
Spa marks the beginning of the end of the 2011 season, a run of 8 races to decide the Championship, followed by Monza, two seriously fast tracks where Red Bull could be particularly vulnerable.
McLaren is not very optimistic for this race, their chassis excels in the tight layouts but top speed stability is not their forte, but then there’s the unpredictable Ardennes forest micro-climate that has made this place famous – I’m sure BUT is rubbing his hands.
Ferrari announced their intention to concentrate on next year’s car, but they know the next 2 rounds will be decisive for their 2011 aspirations, and ALO has been the driver with the best results in the last part of the season (4 straight podium finishes). They have new both front and rear wings for this circuit (so much for the ‘holidays’, nobody really stops working in F1) The mid field battle between Mercedes, Renault and now Sauber is heating up too; the Germans are faster in single-lap qualifying, but the French are much better on race trim and the Swiss are specially good at conserving tires. We expect the 'big three' to monopolize the top 6 places, but the smart money (CFA money, that is) will keep an eye on these midfielders to still positions from the big guys at every opportunity. Important to know that HEI has been replaced by Bruno Senna, some say because HEI is underperforming, some others that the legend’s nephew is bringing millions of dollars in sponsorship...
In other news, I’m delighted to inform you that our little Joe Soranno finished second in the Canadian Karting National Championships at his first attempt. A great achievement in only his first competitive season, one of those wonderful histories of David defeating Goliath.
Tomorrow morning the F1s will be let lose once more, and we’ll be studying their every move. I’ll keep you posted.
Until tomorrow
Cato