Formula One 2010 – Brazilian Grand Prix

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso can join an exclusive group later this weekend if he wins his third world title.

Other triple world champions are Ayrton Senna (1988, 1990, 1991), Nelson Piquet (1981, 1983, 1987), Niki Lauda (1975, 1977, 1984), Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973) and Jack Brabham (1959, 1960, 1966). If Alonso does win this title, he will be ninth on the all time champions list. Current Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher tops that list with 7 titles, followed by 50’s genius Juan Manuel Fangio with 5 titles and Alain Prost who won 4 championships in the 80s and 90s.

Alonso is the only one of the five potential champions who can win the title tomorrow and he can do it if any of these things happen:

1. Alonso wins, with Mark Webber finishing fifth or lower;
2. Alonso is second, with Webber eighth or lower;
3. Alonso comes third, with Webber tenth or lower

As for Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the permutations that would allow them to stay in the hunt heading to Abu Dhabi are almost endless, and I can’t be bothered to work them all out – however current champion Button needs a near miracle to avoid surrendering his crown at the Interlagos circuit.