Rivals hope rain will reduce Red Bull’s advantage
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Red Bull’s opponents are looking to the skies, hoping for some rain at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
They feel it’s the only way they will be able to close the gap to the season’s most dominant team in the race that could decide the Formula One title.
“Yes, we need rain,” McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton said. “In terms of pure pace in the dry we can’t really compete with the Red Bulls, they are ahead.”
Sebastian Vettel led teammate Mark Webber in the first day of practices yesterday, ahead of championship leader Fernando Alonso and Hamilton. Alonso has an 11-point advantage going into the second-to-last race of the season and has a chance to clinch his third F1 title.
He also wouldn’t mind getting some help from the skies to increase his chances.
“I think a wet day can be an advantage for us,” Alonso said ahead of today’s qualifying run. “There is very little to lose for us at the moment.”
Red Bull has been the fastest team all year long even though it struggled to perform well during the races because of driver mistakes and mechanical failures.
The rivals are hoping this time it will be rain that evens the field in Brazil.
The weather has been a factor at the Brazilian GP in recent years and there is rain in the forecast for today’s qualifying session at the 4.3-kilometre (2.6-mile) Interlagos track. Both practice sessions took place under clear skies and high temperatures.
“On a wet track, anything can happen,” said Alonso’s Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, the fifth quickest on Friday in front of his home crowd.
Alonso can lift the trophy if he wins tomorrow’s race and Webber finishes fifth or worse. The Spaniard can also clinch the title if he finishes second and Webber places eighth or worse, Hamilton is fourth or worse, and Vettel is second or worse.