This is shaping up to be one of the closest finishes to the F1 season. With 7 races left, we're lucky to have three close contenders but a total of 5 separated by just 20 points.
Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso all have their eyes on the prize.
A look at the merits of each contender:
Mark Webber: 1st (161 points); wins: 4; pole positions: 4
Often disparagingly regarded as a journeyman, Webber's speed has been prevalent since day one but never has he had the car at his disposal to highlight his talent. In Red Bull Racing's breathtaking RB6, the 33-year-old is proving what many have suspected, that he is a gifted racing driver and is perhaps even surprising a few within his own team. That has created issues, underlined by the divisive row over favouritism that surfaced post-Turkish and British GPs, riling the Australian who has at times driven like a man possessed, as was witnessed at Silverstone. Team-mate Vettel may fractionally have the edge in qualifying, but Webber's greater experience and race craft have carried him to more wins than anybody else this season. Heading towards the Indian summer of his career, winning the title would be a fairytale.
Lewis Hamilton: 2nd (157pts); wins: 2; pole positions: 1
On several occasions this season Hamilton has been forced to wring the neck out of his car just to stay in touch with the Red Bulls and in the hunt for the championship. The McLaren, so far, has struggled to compete in terms of pace with their rivals from Milton Keynes. Reliability and consistency have again been the McLaren hallmarks, and when you ally that with Hamilton's all-guns -blazing approach, it is a fearsome combination. There is no doubt the 25-year-old Briton is the pass master of the field, a man who will thread an overtaking move through the eye of a needle if there is a gap to be taken. With Hamilton unable to give any more than he is doing, he needs his team to pull something out of the fire now more than ever if he is to become a double world champion.
Sebastian Vettel: 3rd (151pts); wins 2; pole positions: 7
Just one victory from seven poles - his other triumph was from third on the grid - is a tale of woe Vettel may well reflect on with deep regret come the conclusion to the season. Admittedly there have been circumstances beyond his control but there have also been moments that have hinted at his immaturity, despite the fact he is clearly the fastest on four wheels at present. To run into Webber in Istanbul was reckless; to attempt to cut up Fernando Alonso at the start in Germany was foolhardy, whilst his failure to spot the withdrawal of the safety car in Hungary was astonishingly ignorant. The 23-year-old has it within his locker to become champion. He just needs to be a touch more savvy in his decision-making and thought processes.
Jenson Button: 4th (147pts); wins 2; pole positions 0
Button is so laid back he is virtually horizontal, the mark of a man happy with his lot in becoming world champion last year. Not that the 30-year-old does not want to retain his crown now he is in a position to do so. Button is cool, calm, collected, and far from the battle with Hamilton that critics had forecast at McLaren, his demeanour has had a positive influence on the team and instead he and his team-mate are relaxed in each other's company. The only time Button reverts from type is when he fails to find the balance with his car, although many would suggest he is over-sensitive, as we saw last season when the pack closed in following his phenomenal start. Button needs perfection to thrive, and McLaren may not be able to provide that over the closing stages.
Fernando Alonso: 5th (141pts); wins 2; pole positions 0
There is the sense Alonso and Ferrari are closing in, the double world champion beginning to find his feet and form in a car that still trails Red Bull, but is almost certainly now on a par with McLaren. Alonso has one distinct advantage over the quartet ahead of them, and that is he now has the support of team-mate Felipe Massa for the remainder of the season. Ferrari may protest, but the 29-year-old Spaniard is their number one driver. When push comes to shove he will be favoured, a route neither McLaren nor Red Bull can take, at least not until the position becomes clearer. As a former champion, Alonso knows what it takes to become one. He may be the outsider, but he is a very dangerous one.
