The second half of what could be the most open season in years is upon us. Of course, that “most open season” line is so overused and, quite honestly, getting a little tired but there’s little else to describe a season with four abreast coming through the championship corner, each with a real fighting chance for the title.
Of course, the man of the hour has to be Lewis but the real hunter in this game is Robert Kubica. He’s a scant two points behind the three stooges – sorry – heroes and, given that he had a non-points finish just like Massa during the last grand prix, either of the two “non-finishers” would’ve ended up leading the championship at this point.
A good friend and a bonafide F1 guru talked about Kubica the other day and said that the mark of a good driver is one who puts a car in a place it isn’t supposed to be. Best way to see that is the battle between teammates. While the Alonso and Piquet pairing is the textbook example of what a former world champion can do to an already bruised ego of a rookie, the more sublime battle is the one between Kubica – season achievements and all – and Nick Heidfeld, podium finisher.
While they started out as relatively cheaper investments for BMW early on in the season, it is Kubica who is stealing the show – garnering BMW’s first victory in Canada as well as leading the championship at one point this year.
Kubica’s two-point deficit from the championship lead is something that he will have to nurture all throughout if he even wants to get a serious whiff of a championship this year. He’s paying his dues perfectly, being in a upper middle or lower top team in BMW. Remember that Alonso had to fight his way in a Minardi early on in his career.
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