5 things to look out for in the 2013 Korean Grand Prix

We are in the closing stages of this year’s Formula One season. It is the Korean Grand Prix on this weekend, the 14th race of 2013. The championship leader, Sebastian Vettel has been winning this race from past two years so it won’t be surprising if we see him again on the podium with the winner’s trophy on Sunday.

He already had a hat trick of wins a fortnight ago, when he won the Singapore GP for the third straight time after 2011 and 2012 and has won the last three races, Spa, Monza and Marina Bay which adds to his account of hat tricks.

Again its Vettel at the top

The five things to look out for the upcoming Korean Grand Prix definitely has Vettel at the top of the list. The maximum points available in this season are 150 with six races remaining. His equation is very simple. Winning two races is enough for him, to win the Championship. For example, if he wins the next two, he’ll be crowned as the youngest four-time World Champion in Japan itself when four races will still be left.

Mark Webber’s comical penalty

Vettel’s Red Bull teammate Mark Webber has only six races left in his racing career, he will start the race with a ten-place grid penalty in Korea. After taking lift to the pits from Fernando Alonso in the previous race he received a reprimand from the officials which was his third reprimand of the season. He is going to retire from the sport at the end of this season. Daniel Ricciardo, Toro Rosso’s driver will carry forward the legacy of an Australian in Red Bull Racing team.

Can Alonso catch up?

Fernando Alonso can still try spoiling Vettel’s party this year. Going back to the last season, at this time he was 29 points ahead of Vettel. This year it is the vice-versa, he is 60 points behind the German. In the course of getting a twist in the Championship, the Ferrari has to plan out strategies for qualifying in P1 or at least P2 or P3–or wait until Vettel starts struggling with his car. Only Sebastian’s pure bad luck can get Alonso back into the race.

McLaren continues bad form

McLaren is yet to make a mark in this year’s season. They have been facing problems with their cars from the beginning itself. Last year, they had finished third in the Constructor’s Championship since their cars were among the most competitive cars. Sergio Perez, who replaced Lewis Hamilton in McLaren this year is yet to prove his ability. Jenson Button has also failed to win a single race this year. They will desperately try to have a nice weekend in Korea.

A different Massa

After the announcement of Kimi Raikkonen teaming up with Alonso in Ferrari in 2014, Felipe Massa is determined to just drive for himself in the remaining of this season. It would be interesting to watch him give competition to his teammate Alonso unlike the past when he compromised with his win for Alonso’s Championship. He has out qualified the Spaniard many times in this season. So if he starts in a better position again in Korea, he will drive for himself till the Checkered flag.

Watching 22 drivers zooming their cars in 55 laps; Ferraris, McLarens, Mercedes trying to catch up the Red Bulls, like other Grand Prix’s, Korean GP on the coming Sunday will be a very thrilling race.