Ferrari cant afford a grid drop , that effectively seals a 1-2 for Red Bull , so they (and FA) might as go down fighting/gambling that an engine DESIGNED for maximum 2 race distances will hold out for four (plus all the quali sessions etc)
IF FA starts 11th or 12th (at best) firstly there are all the risks inherent with the first few laps overtaking midfield drivers (who can be irrational at the best of times) fighting for position, but FA would also lose time on the RB's in the process and probably would have a fight even catching LH & JB let alone coming 2nd (to gaurentee the title no matter what)
If they dont change the engine - they avoid all those problems which arent under their control at all.....as opposed to all the monitoring they can do on the engine they built (and therefor have faith in)
It is a bit strange that in one sense MW HAS to hope that Alonso IS 3rd , 4th - thats probably the only thing that (as much as possible) gaurentees him the title if MW cant win himself
(if Alonso is 1st or 2nd, title is his - if Alonso is 3rd/4th , then MW is the only hope of RB winning the double (will RB do the sensible thing though, 1st time this year if they do - If Alonso is lower than 5th, whoever of the RB's leads/ wins the race gets the title (if as expected they are first and 2nd). Vettel could easily end up being the Champ on equal points due to count back wins (5/4)
IF MW isnt 1st or 2nd, Vettel wins and FA is 5th.....from a brief countback it looks like all Wins/podiums are equal between the two so the title could be decided on who's got the more lower points finishes.....which would be a strange reason to award a title imo lol
You answered your own question there.
It is for exactly that reason (i.e. having the inferior car) that it would be great to see Alonso win the WDC. Even without the 7 points he was gifted in Germany he would still be leading the WDC.
What would be even more sweet is that if he does finish ahead of both RBs in Abu Dhabi, to take the WDC, just a week after RB took the WCC, in essence stealing there thunder.
I know I wont be the only person of many (probably around the world) that feel cheated if Ferrari win the WDC, it would leave an incredibly sour taste in the mouth after the FIA completely bolloxed up their own rule book ( whether its admotted or not Ferrari broke the current rules and should have had the book thrown at them for doctoring the result).
Not only that but FA has had no internal team challange for the title - which more than outweighs any inferiority in the car (and it hasnt been THAT inferior in a number of races either, anything but)
The fact is that its those 7 points that more than likely give him any hope this weekend, as they were gained by breaking the rules - he really shouldnt have any hope this weekend if F1 was actuialy a Sport (rather than an advertising program run by Ferrari who allow other teams to show up occasionally lol)
