My turn to publish an F1 article in the local Mypaper again. In line with this week’s race, I did a preview of the mouthwatering championship battle.

In 2002, Michael Schumacher won the driver’s championship with 6 races to spare. Luckily for us, this season served up an epic battle, which at one point had 4 championship contenders. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen looked good in retaining his world champion title at the start of the season. However, having not been able to win since the Turkish race, he is now supporting teammate Felipe Massa in the championship battle. This season, BMW’s Robert Kubica was the surprise challenger. His consistent and skilful driving allowed him keep in touch with the leaders. Unfortunately, the BMW car is still not as perfect as Mclaren or Ferrari. Both Kubica and Raikkonen will be fighting for third position in the final race.

As the final race at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Brazil looms, we wait with bated breath to see if Mclaren’s Lewis Hamilton or Ferrari’s Felipe Massa will emerge as the 2008 driver’s champion. Hamilton will go to Brazil with a 7 points lead over Massa. This is uncannily similar to last year where he held the same lead over Raikkonen in the final race. Many commentators and fans wonder if lightning will strike twice with Massa sneaking away with the title.

To win the title, Massa has to depend on two factors. The factor within his control is to win the race. In the past two years, Massa’s performance in Brazil has been scintillating. In 2006, Massa won the race while last year, he was leading the race before allowing Raikkonen to overtake to win the championship. The other factor, beyond his call, is to hope that Hamilton has a poor result.

I believe Massa still stands a fair chance in this battle. Being his hometown, Massa will receive massive support from his fellow countrymen. The Ferrari’s performance has been impressive after sorting out the engine problems they faced at the start of the season.  Not forgetting Ferrari holds an 11 points lead in the constructor’s championship, both Massa and Raikkonen will want to achieve a 1-2 finish. With nothing to lose, both drivers will definitely go flat out in bid to win both titles.

For Hamilton, if he finishes at least fifth or better, we will see the youngest ever world champion regardless of how Massa finishes. Compared to last year, Mclaren will be starting this race in a much stronger position. The Interlagos circuit is similar to the Shanghai track. With Hamilton’s imperious drive in the Chinese race, it means that the Mclaren-Hamilton combination will most likely be the one to beat in Brazil.

Unlike the Ferrari camp, Mclaren is faced with a more interesting situation. Although Hamilton is on the brink of the title, the team is trailing the prancing horse by 11 points in the constructor’s race. Hamilton will be starting the race with his engine running a second race as required by the regulations. However, both Ferrari drivers will be using new engines. Mclaren will have to decide if they want to attempt to win the constructor’s title which will mean both Hamilton and teammate Heikki Kovalainen will have to run at maximum capacity. However, Kovalainen’s retirement from the last two races due to mechanical failure will weigh on the team’s mind. It will be interesting to see how Mclaren play their cards on the race day.

The Interlagos track may also add more drama to the championship battle. Weather at this track has always been very unpredictable. Many fans will remember Giancarlo Fisichella who was then driving for Jordan was the surprise winner of the memorable 2003 edition of the Brazilian race. In the rain soaked race, many drivers spun out of the race. The track drainage system overflows easily and should it rain this coming Sunday, we will most likely see the waterlogged racing surface creating a chaotic race. Under such conditions, Hamilton will have a huge advantage as he has been the best driver under rainy conditions throughout the season.

Which of these two drivers will prevail? It will be a close call but I believe Hamilton, having a chance to get a second bite at the cherry, will finally take his place as the youngest ever champion. However if I am a betting man, Massa will be my choice since the odds are definitely better. Let’s sit tight and prepare ourselves for a magnificent finale to the 2008 season!