Anyone who has followed F1 this season knows that it hasn't exactly been enthralling. Sebastian Vettel clinched the Driver's Title several races ago, and Red Bull Renault locked up the Constructor's Title in the next race. The rest of the field has been fighting for second spot in the overall standings, which, at least on the Constructor's side of the tally, McLaren has locked up. But the driver's standings are a bit different. Vettel is in record seating mode, but the second through fifth place slots are wide open, with second place enjoying a 28 point lead over fifth.
Lewis Hamilton is arguably the hottest driver on the track as this season winds down, and if he can leave Sao Paulo with a second straight victory, I can't see any way he's not considered the #1 threat to Vettel's title next season.
And as the season draws to a close, the rumor mill begins to churn. For a while there were whispers in the paddock that Kimi Raikkonen would return to F1 for the Williams team, a team that has struggled lately and really fallen from grace this year. Since the team went public, share value has steadily fallen, never returning to the initial public offering. Bringing in a former F1 Champion would be a nice spark to a team in need of one.
Three names changes are in order for next season, as HRT will become Marussia, Lotus will become Catterham, and Renault will become Lotus. Apparently none of us were confused enough by the many different team names and the constant legal battles over the Lotus name, so everyone decided to switch. Ferrari just announced that next season they will go by Scuderia Tim.
Also, it appears as though the rumor mill is point to a pending retirement: Rubens Barrichello. The man with F1's longevity records may finally hang it up after a disappointing and morale-destroying season at Williams. If Rubens does retire, it would be pretty awesome to do it at your home track, in front of a crowd of adoring fans.
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