So now the F1 bandwagon is now well and truely experiencing the Summer break, this gives every F1 fan to step back and reflect on the big talking points through the first half of this exciting season.
One question that will arise during the 3 weeks we have off is the determining factors on to which how Ferrari and Mclaren have managed to catch up with RedBull. There are many reasons why people think RedBull are in a crisis, after the truely monumental start to the season Seb Vettel had, winning 6 of the first 8 races and finishing 2nd in the other 2 people were already looking forward to 2012.
However the domination came to an exceptionally abrupt halt come the Silverstone weekend. The Weekend was surrounded by the Controversy over the Hot blown diffusers, the very device many teams had adopted and a key success to the downforce of the RedBull car. The device was banned for the entire weekend and this was all the incentive Ferrari needed to strike! Alonso with a carefully but magnificently well thought out race managed to jump both RedBull's to win that weekend.
One factor that shouldnt be overlooked was however was the Weather. The past 3 races have either been played out in rainy and mixed conditions or in the case of the Nurburgring very very cold temperatures. This highlights perhaps the RedBull car's weakness compared to the McLaren and Ferrari, that would be getting heat into the tyres in a very short amount of time. This was highlighted in its most prominent fashion at the Hungaroring where the wet conditions forced cars to start on the intermediate tyres, both Vettel and Webber were swamped at the start as they struggled to get any heat into the tyres meaning no grip. This therefore poses the question, are the RedBull's too kind on their tyres?
If this is the case Christian Horner must definately be worried for the next race in Spa. The weather has always played a major part in the results of the races and it is always traditionally cold. This means that McLaren and Ferrari must be rubbing their hands as we speak at the prospect of another unpredictable race. Alonso in particular who has been the clear form man in the past 4 races has still not given up on the 2011 WDC and if anyone can chuck the form guide up in the air your money has to be him, with a special Monza package coming for the Italian Gp he looks set to carry on podium or even win success.
That leaves McLaren, In Hungary they were dominant, leading 1-2 before Hamilton made a mess of the turn 6 and 7 chicane, span and coincidently forced Paul Di Resta off the track trying to Recover. This meant a Drive- through penalty came his way coupled with a dodgy decision on tyres when it started raining again, However in the later stages of the race he fought back to a valiant 4th. Jenson went on to win in his 200th Gp mastering the changing conditions and got his season back on track after 2 retirements.
With Mercedes Power and a cracker of a DRS device they look set for a very strong result in Monza, and Spa a real driver's circuit must be wetting the apetite of Hamilton in particular.
But for us F1 fans the results have turned into a waiting game, as the F1 summer break is enforced it leaves us to ponder the thought of the WDC definately heating up when the F1 Circus rolls up to the damp Spa - Francorchamps circuit.
