Giancarlo Fisichella is not running light. The fuel weights have been published and it proves Fisi drove a cracker and can actually win this mother.
However, looking at the first stint strategies I believe Jarno Trulli is the favourite. Fisi will stop around lap 11, while Trulli can go three laps longer. Nick Heidfeld will pit lap 13. Rubens Barrichello, lining up fourth, actually has one lap less than Fisi. Eighth place Vettel had a great strategy but made a mistake on his lap. He should have been fourth quickest. He will pit lap 15. He needs a good start, therefore.
Overall this is a difficult race to call as the two teams who should win this - Force India and Toyota - have not won a race before (well, unless we hark back to the Jordan days).
The fact is, when the pressure is on - and the pressure will be mighty - team and driver can make mistakes. Pitstops today will be nervous occasions.
So, my predictions on this (currently) sunny day...
1. Jarno Trulli
2. Giancarlo Fisichella
3. Sebastian Vettel
Though if Force India cock things up, Nick Heidfeld could well be on the podium too.
Leave a comment