Formula 1 - Fernando Alonso a threat in 2009?

Will Spaniard and double World Champion, Fernando Alonso, be a threat to the FIA Formula 1 Championship in 2009?

He undeniably brings a massive amount to any team he is with. When he moved to beleaguered Renault from Mclaren in 2008, the team were nowhere. Struggling for points and way off the pace, it seemed the best years were way behind them.

With Fernando's input, the car steadily improved and late on in the season he earned back to back race victories in Singapore and Japan. Alonso finished 2nd in the dramatic final race at Interlagos Brazil and ended the season 5th overall with a very credible 61 points. He was also the only driver to out-qualify his team mate in every race.

Fernando Alonso has signed a new contract with the Renault Team which will keep him there for another two seasons.

Team Boss, Flavio Briatore said,

"He has been a big asset throughout this difficult season and his leadership and talent, matched with the team's hard work and determination, have paid off with our recent performances, which have placed the Renault F1 Team back among the top competitors of Formula 1."

After the tumultuous season with Mclaren, Alonso is obviously very happy to be back with the team where he won his two World Championships in 2005 and 2006. He said,

"I have decided to stay with the Renault F1 team because, as I have often repeated this season, they have always been my first choice and I feel very happy and comfortable with them".

With a determined Alonso on board, it is very likely the team will continue to improve further throughout the close season and 2009. Expect the Spaniard to be challenging for the title next season.

Alonso verses Hamilton part 2? It could be an epic.

---

www.jenkin7.co.uk

Formula 1 2008 - Lewis Hamilton, second time lucky?

He was in a similar position in his rookie year, but things didn't work out. Can it be second time lucky for British F1 Driver, Lewis Hamilton?

If so, he will become the first Brit since Damon Hill in 1996 to win and become the youngest World Champion in F1 History. The record is currently held by Fernando Alonso at 24 years, 59 days. You may have heard of him.

Hamilton leads the Drivers Championship by 7 points with just a single race remaining. The last deciding race takes place this weekend at Interlagos race track, Brazil.

Last year, Hamilton was defeated by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen for the Championship and this year it is his Brazillian team mate, Phillipe Massa's turn to try to upset the party. 2007 World Champion Raikkonen, has suffered a mysterious drop of form the second half of 2008 and is way out of the running. He could however, still provide a bit of a nuisance to Hamilton during Sunday's Grand Prix.

In interview Hamilton said,

"I know we didn't have the pace to win last year, but things could be very different this season. I'm really looking forward to getting out on the track at Interlagos and seeing where we stand."

Last year, after an eventful race, Lewis was forced to retire with gearbox failure.

Astonishingly, Mclaren haven't had a Drivers World Champion since Mika Hakkinen in 1999. Team Boss, Ron Dennis and all his pit-crew will surely be keeping their fingers crossed as will most of the British viewing public.

Massa was second at Interlagos last year and won the race the previous, we know he is quick at the track. All this makes for a potentially exciting and nail biting race. Phillipe will be racing to become the first Brazillian World Champion since Ayrton Senna. That surely is incentive enough.

---

www.jenkin7.co.uk