Suzuka could make title picture clearer

Tomado de: http://espn.go.com/racing/blog/_/name/mckean_tom/id/5653416/suzuka-make-title-picture-clearer

Autor: Tom McKean

Fernando Alonso may have the momentum, but Mark Webber has the points lead. Now they head to Suzuka, where so many indelible Formula One memories have been made.

If you were to look at the history that has happened at Suzuka, you would think it has been on the Formula One calendar since the very beginning.

In a relatively short time since the figure-eight circuit began hosting F1 events (1987), it has been home to a considerable amount of history. After all, it was the epicenter of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna's rivalry, as the two collided on track in 1989 and again in 1990. Both clashes resulted in titles being decided.

It also witnessed Michael Schumacher clinching a record sixth world championship in 2003, edging out relative newcomer Kimi Raikkonen for the title by a narrow 2-point margin.

Suzuka has been known to provide a harsh welcome to one particular rookie. Making his F1 debut in 1993, Eddie Irvine passed leader Senna in Japan to remain on the lead lap. Senna expressed his displeasure by then punching Irvine after the race.

Five years ago this weekend, one of the greatest races in the modern era transpired as Kimi Raikkonen started 17th on the grid but made a daring move around Giancarlo Fisichella on the final lap to earn the victory. It capped one of the most entertaining and exciting races in recent memory.

The circuit has also been hospitable toward one team in particular: Ferrari. Not only does the Prancing Horse have the most wins of any constructor at the track, but it earned one very special win in the inaugural Suzuka race.

Entering that event, the most prestigious manufacturer had failed to win in its last 37 events, the longest drought in team history. But Gerhard Berger piloted his Ferrari to victory, snapping a drought that had lasted more than two years.

Perhaps it will again prove a track suited for Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso has won here before, claiming a crucial victory in the second-to-last race of the 2006 season en route to his second consecutive world championship.

The man he is chasing in the standings this season, Mark Webber, has had significantly less success at Suzuka.

In six races there, Webber has finished in the points just once, back in 2005 with Williams. Last year with Red Bull, Webber finished third from last and two laps off the pace after starting from pit lane, stemming from an accident during practice.

But teammate Sebastian Vettel won here last year, and told reporters before this year's event that things may be looking up.

"Suzuka should suit our car, but we still have to go there and prove it.," Vettel said. "I think we have a very competitive car this year on all circuits, so we can be confident.

"Last year was very good and I think we should get a good result again."

One thing is certain; Alonso's charge for the 2010 title has been remarkable. In his past five races, he's earned nearly as many points as he did in the first 10 events this season. Compared to his first 10, Alonso has also tallied more wins, podiums and poles in his past five grand prix events.

As for Webber, there is still so much to be optimistic about. He leads the championship, and has shown more consistency than most this year, especially his teammate Vettel.

But if Webber does finish runner-up -- or worse -- in the title hunt, it will fit a similar pattern of Australians suffering heartbreak in the motorsports world this season.

It began with Marcos Ambrose, who through a down season was primed to earn his first Sprint Cup win at Sonoma in June.

The Australian V8 Supercars champion was leading under caution late in the race when he momentarily failed to restart the engine. Ambrose was managing fuel, but failed to maintain pace, a move that ultimately cost him the win.

It continued just days ago, when fellow Australian Will Power, seeking his first IndyCar Series title, lost the championship by just five points in the final race of the year to Dario Franchitti. After dominating the early portion of the season, Power struggled on the oval-heavy schedule down the stretch, and ended up losing the lead in the season finale at Homestead.

In Formula One, Australia is seeking its first champion since Alan Jones was the top man 30 years ago.

No matter who you root for, it truly would be difficult to see a veteran like Webber come so close after so long and yet wind up just short.

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