AUSTIN: The eyes of the motor racing world will be riveted on Texas this weekend as Formula One makes its return to the US, but it is unclear if Americans will be watching even with a driver’s championship on the line.
The stage has been set for a Sunday of high-drama worthy of a Hollywood Western as clinical German Sebastian Vettel and fiery Spaniard Fernando Alonso engage in their own version of the Gunfight at the new $400 million Circuit of the Americas.
“I think we were not always fast enough on the tracks this year but for the last couple of races we were up to the mark, so I’m really looking forward to the next two races,” said Vettel, cautiously assessing his position following a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
One thing that is certain —Ferrari’s Alonso will not go down without a fight as he is determined to take the championship down to the final race in Brazil.
“I am confident, we will fight for the title until the end of the season,” said Alonso, who would move into a tie for fourth on the all-time win list alongside former-champion Nigel Mansell by notching his 31st career victory on Sunday.
Hamilton motivated by Mercedes challenge
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s news to drive for Mercedes shocked many, but he felt he needed a different and arguably a tougher challenge, according to ESPNF1.
“I could take the easy route, stay with a great team with a great car making decent money,” said Hamilton. “But I don’t want to do that. I want to go and struggle and help a team that’s struggling in the championship and help them get to the top and start winning.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2012.
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