2012 F1 World Championship Preview

F1 World Championship

Motorsport
Published: 06/02/2012

The 2012 F1 World Championship will see the mighty Sebastian Vettel bid to claim a sensational hat-trick of World Drivers titles having defended his crown so emphatically in the 2011 season.

After lifting his maiden title to the delight of his Red Bull team and fans in 2010, the German romped to eleven Grand Prix victories last year and he will be looking to pick up from where he left off when the traditional curtain-raiser gets under way in Melbourne, Australia.

As expected, Vettel is a red hot favourite to accomplish his mission over an extended calendar of 20 Grand Prix and 5/4 is generally the best price on offer about the 24-year-old.

Vettel had already put the Drivers Championship well and truly to bed by around race eight in 2011 and if he can begin in the same fashion this year, those odds could prove to be tremendous value despite looking relatively short before a lap has even been completed.

But for punters who are looking to take Vettel on, there are some great prices available for the supporting stars of F1 who will be hoping to develop into main protagonists over the coming months.

If Vettel is to be eclipsed, then former World Champion Lewis Hamilton may well be the man to step up to the plate.

Life has not been so smooth at McLaren for Hamilton over the last couple of years however many people believe that he is still the best `pound for pound` racer in the sport.

The 2008 World Champion will again be pushed internally all the way by compatriot Jenson Button who will himself be also searching for the kind of performances and car efficiency which won him first prize in 2009 with the now extinct Brawn F1.

But it is Hamilton who appeals most at 11/2 and he can confirm at the very least superiority over his team mate to assume the role of Vettel`s closest challenger deep into the campaign.

Ferrari have been going through something of a transitional period whilst Red Bull have been hitting the headlines but former dual World Champion Fernando Alonso cannot be ruled out of the equation.

The Spaniard is still arguably the most technically gifted driver on the grid and at 5/1 he will at the very least offer backers a long term run for their money due to his unflappable consistency and experience.

Speedster Mark Webber is likely to chip in again with his fair share of podiums however the ageing Aussie will probably have to settle for being second best in the Red Bull camp once more.

He will be determined to lock horns with Vettel once again and overcome his team mate but there is nothing to suggest that he can improve sufficiently enough to do so. Nevertheless, Webber should still accrue a decent points total and for that reason the Red Bull`s should be able to justify favouritism in the Constructors Championship unless McLaren can improve upon their reliability.

Down the other end of the pit lane, team Lotus F1 will be looking to establish themselves amongst the midfielders and the return of ex-champion Kimi Raikkonen has certainly grabbed the media`s attention.

It is to be hoped however that the Finn can only enhance his F1 reputation unlike the legendary Michael Schumacher who has perhaps tainted his legacy by returning to the fold.

According to reports, this will definitely be Schuey`s last year in the sport but even the most faithful sentimentalists should stay away from any odds available about the Mercedes man taking a chequered flag before he finally bows out for good in Interlagos.

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Any odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of publishing (06/02/2012) but are subject to change.

06/02/2012     © Frixo 2024

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