Russia last chance saloon for Vettel

This weekend will be a crucial one for Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel.

The Russian Grand Prix, held at the Sochi Autodrome, could offer one of his very last opportunities to still shoot at this year’s drivers’ and constructors’ titles.

With a 40-point advantage over his rival, Lewis Hamilton looks set to win his fifth world title with Mercedes, but Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes Vettel could still take the championship.

In previous years with Red Bull he demonstrated his commitment and skill when in 2010 he overcame a 31-point deficit with just six races left in the season.

He took his first world title and repeating the feat in 2012 – with just five races left he nullified Fernando Alonso’s 42 point lead.

There are six more races and 150 points available this year, but with Hamilton’s current form it is not going to be easy. Another problem appears to be the German’s lack of confidence in his team’s tactics and pit wall decisions.

All drivers query decisions made by their teams and on occasion rightfully so, but Vettel seems to spend time analysing his team’s decisions.

I still hope we end up with a real fight for the title right down to the wire – the type of racing we as fans want.

Talking of fans, I must wonder about the constant releases from Formula One owners Liberty Media regarding the importance of such enthusiasts and whether those in control of the sport really do care about its supporters.

A case in point is the recent announcement that F1 has agreed a partnership with Interregional Sports Group and Sportradar, providing secure online betting for F1 fans.

According to the powers that be this estimated $100 million deal is yet another step to improving the sport.

Commercial director of Formula 1, Sean Bratches, is reported as saying: “Data and sponsorship partnerships like this are common practice across almost all premium sports and thus is the latest step in our mission to make Formula 1 the world’s leading sports entertainment experience.”

David Lampitt, MD of Group Operations for Sportradar is quoted as saying: “Through this collaboration with Formula 1, we’re delighted that fans will receive an exciting and safe betting experience.” Great for those who require the odd flutter on the outcome of a race or the number of crashes or whatever the punters decide is worth the bet, but is this really a move forward for the sport?

More information is to be displayed on screen from those notorious F1 apps but they seem to be an issue, if one is to believe the number of dissatisfied clients on social media.

This is not a free service and one that has left many fans frustrated, as myriad technical issues plague the futuristic move into the new digital world for the F1 fan.

Interesting to note, the boss man of Formula 1, Chase Carey, told investors at a recent meeting that this year was basically about beta testing and the full product will appear next season.

I wonder if those currently subscribing were made aware of that fact as they handed over their cash.

I get very frustrated when I receive e-mails from Formula 1 encouraging me to subscribe to the recently launched F1TV Pro, a way of watching without a dish on the roof and at a reasonable price.

I will have some of that, I though, but on entering my location on the application form, I am informed that the service is not available in South Africa.

After Liberty Media had been dealt a blow with the cancellation of the proposed Miami event, it has suffered a similar fate with the scrapping of an event on the streets of Copenhagen.

This was due to funding with the Danish city authority deciding against a very large expenditure on their part.

It appears the city fathers were not as excited about F1 as Liberty Media thought they would be.

Unfortunately this bodes ill for Europe as the Far East is chomping at the bit to offer more grandiose entertainment centres with some racing thrown in.