2008 Brazilian Grand Prix predictions
Lewis Hamilton is my pick for victory for the second race in a row - and the title
Heading into the final race of the season the momentum and the expected track conditions seem to favour Lewis Hamilton.
But last year was a case study in how championships that look like foregone conclusions can still be lost.
Will history repeat itself at Interlagos? Make your predictions for the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix below.
On paper, you’d be a fool to bet against Hamilton to win the Brazilian Grand Prix. He dominated the last round in a manner that told you exactly how little the criticism being hurled at him from many of his rivals affected his mental balance.
As mentioned in the Brazilian Grand Prix preview, Bridgestone are bringing harder tyres, which should suit McLaren better. Although Interlagos has been a ‘Ferrari track’ in recent years, so was Shanghai.
Since writing the race preview the weather forecasts have swung towards a wet weekend. This is where McLaren and Hamilton have excelled this year: particularly when a track moves from dry to wet conditions and when it is fully soaked.
Rain or shine, Hamilton’s chances of victory are, on paper, very good. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t suffer a repeat of any of last year’s blunders (the first lap mistakes, the gearbox glitch, the strategy error) or be clobbered by the random hand of the stewards once more.
I think Ferrari will be strong enough to clinch the constructors’ championship, but their positions in this last race will reflect Kimi Raikkonen’s revival in these late races:
1. Lewis Hamilton
2. Kimi Raikkonen
3. Felipe Massa
That would make Hamilton the drivers’ champion and Ferrari the constructors’ champions.
Chinese Grand Prix predictions results
After a string of flawed predictions I finally nailed one at China. The only thing wrong with my podium prediction for Shanghai was that I didn’t put any money on it…
Congratulations to DMW who also got the top three exactly right.
What’s your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
Plus a bonus question: Who will with the two championships?
Too Good said on 31st October 2008, 0:24
PP – Gifted, would be could be doesn’t matter, we can beat the dead horse for rest of of our life and the result would still be stinking carcass.
My prediction is Floods in Sao Paulo coz of Inconsolable Louise Goodman end of the race, It would be her last race, as well as DC. So double the amount of sobs :D
On serious Note
FM
SV
FA
RK
NR
HK
LH (after a puncture on race start – LH will drive Brilliant race like Schumi in 2006, and that wouldn’t be enough for him)
KN
KR will retire due to Hydraulic Problem
Overtaking moves of the race will be SV picking places in first two laps and LH marching through the field after Puncture
the limit said on 31st October 2008, 2:11
I agree with what Juan Pablo Montoya said in a recent interview. Lewis Hamilton has to play the points game, no question about it. If he can secure pole position, then that will be perfect, but the main focus is a top five finish.
Hamilton has to give the field plenty of respect, especially when in traffic. If he does find himself on the same piece of road as Massa, then he has to be very clever. Remember what happened at Fuji when Lewis was punted off. This is quite possible, especially in the heat of battle.
Pole position, with no mechanical problems and clean air, and Lewis has it made. I am still not unconvinced that something may happen untoward. I will be surprised if it a straight lights to finish victory like China was.
Massa, I believe, will get the pole position with Kimi swiping second and Lewis third. This would be great, as then the Ferraris can be left to their own devices up front. A car infront is always going to be less of a threat to Lewis than a car behind, wanting to pass.
Massa, Raikkonen, Alonso, Hamilton, Kubica, is my top five prediction for the race. Ferrari will be constructors champions, and Hamilton, by the skin of his teeth, will claim the drivers championship.
F1Fan said on 31st October 2008, 3:10
This could be a 1-2 for the Silver arrows. I have been so far saying that Lewis will take pole being a bit light, then cruise to 3rd place at the finish … but I then realized that Mclaren know they have the best car, they are bringing a special package to Interlagos, the tires are a step harder than last year, the temperature will be about 7-8 C cooler than last year (and it may rain too). I think they will go for the constructors’ title as well. And something tells me that one of the two Ferraris won’t finish the race.
kavana said on 31st October 2008, 4:10
Rai
Kub
Alo
todd said on 31st October 2008, 5:21
1 massa
2 kimi
3 alonso
with the rain coming for the weekend, i wonder if mclaren will run that new rear wing still or not – i assume with the rain they’ll run a higher down force setup than what they would have planned for that wing.
Chris said on 31st October 2008, 6:09
Top four:
ALO, HAM, RAI, MAS (not in that order)
WDC: HAM (as much as I hope Massa takes the WDC)
WCC: Ferrari
Hopefully KOV is third time lucky after retiring at Fuji and Shanghai, and escapes Brazil without a DNF.
NDINYO said on 31st October 2008, 6:43
“random hand of the stewards”? Keith are you under the influence? There is nothing random about the stewards.
A rain soaked track of the 2003 proportions would be deadly for anybody including the rain master unless the drainage has been improved around Interlagos. However dry or wet, the pole sitter and winner of the race will be Hamilton because this is the lowest risk strategy for him as regards surviving both the first corner and the stewards.
Mclaren will aim for the constructors as well, so if it is dry and they run the new wing, expect Kova to come second with the first McLaren 1-2 of the season, though Kova’s performance has been uninspiring.
In a wet race i would predict Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Kubica
In a dry race i would predict Hamilton, Massa, Kova, Kimi
Jean said on 31st October 2008, 7:02
FM/KR/FA/RK/SV/NR/LH/JT
Michael said on 31st October 2008, 7:43
1. Alonso
2. Piquet
3. Kimmi
4. Massa
5. Lewis
6. Kovalinen
7. Vettel
8. DC
DG said on 31st October 2008, 8:21
Given the weather predictions, this could be a tricky race for all concerned.
However, I think a bouyed up Hammy will mess up Q3 and not start on the first two rows, whereas a happy Massa will get Pole, with probably a BMW beside him.
However, a happy Massa is not a concentrating Massa and if it gets wet he’ll be thrown off the track at least once.
Which leaves:
1. Kimi
2. Kubica
3. Vettel
And Ferrari get the Constructors.
Oh, and DC won’t finish the race, though Webber might!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 31st October 2008, 8:38
Ndinyo – After the baffling decisions at Valencia, Spa and Fuji I think ‘random’ is a fair choice of word.
Warren said on 31st October 2008, 9:09
HAM
MAS
ALO
Matt said on 31st October 2008, 9:18
I would love:
HAM
KOV
RAI
I belive: (dry)
MAS
HAM
RAI
I believe: (wet)
HAM
ALO
RAI
Nirupam said on 31st October 2008, 9:32
Heart wants:
Alo/Vettel/Massa/Kimi/Kub/Sutil/Heidfield/Nelson!!!
Head says:
Kimi/Alo/Ham/Kub/Masa…..
WDC: Ham (and I hate writing this part!! :()
WCC: Ferrari
James B said on 31st October 2008, 9:33
1. Massa
2. Raikkonen
3. Hamilton