A Formula 1 World Champion will be crowned this weekend at Sao Paulo, Brazil. What a fitting end to a story that has been absolutely insane from start to finish. The fight for the championship has not been this close, this exciting, or this dramatic in almost thirty years. The returning champion, Fernando Alonso (pictured; far right), is looking for his third straight championship and flipping the metaphorical middle finger to Vodafone McLaren Mercedes before returning to Renault next year. Lewis Hamilton (pictured; center), the first black driver in Formula 1 history, is looking to finish off a fantastic maiden season in Formula 1. It has, in fact, been one for the record books, and no matter what the Interlagos circuit brings Lewis’s way, he can go to sleep knowing that he’ll be remembered long after he’s gone for this one season alone. But he’s not looking to stop there, and wants to raise the bar for Formula 1 and its drivers by becoming the first rookie champion in Formula 1 history. In order to do that, however, he has to stop the Iceman himself, Kimi Raikkonen (pictured; far left). The Susan Lucci of Formula 1, Raikkonen has always been the bride’s maid, but never the bride. This year, with a Ferrari steed beneath him, Kimi is looking at taking the championship from the team that kept it from him for almost half a decade (Raikkonen raced for McLaren Mercedes from 2002 - 2006). So, who’s it gonna be: the reigning and back-to-back world champion, the rookie messiah, or has the Iceman Cometh?

Fernando Alonso: Why He Could Win
He’s been here before, clinching the world championships for the last two years at the Brazilian Grand Prix. This is not unfamiliar territory to him. Additionally, he’s used to competing under pressure. Hell, he’s waxed Michael Schumacher’s ass two years in a row for the championship. Did I mentioned he’s layed the smack down on Michael Schumacher? Also, he’s only three points behind Lewis, not seven like some other people.

Fernando Alonso: Why He Could Lose
His driving gets a little dicey and dangerous when he suspects he’s in trouble of losing the race, and he’s not particularly susceptible to come-from-behind wins. Additionally, his two championships have been from him leading in points, not trailing by three such as he is now. In that respect, he’s at a great disadvantage. Furthermore, when it comes to driver battles, Alonso can be made to falter. It may take ten laps, but Alonso has a way of making a driver feel threatened and then they fight back. It’s been repeatedly done since the beginning of the year, although most of the battles have been with BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld.

Lewis Hamilton: Why He Could Win
He’s in the lead. With 107 points all he needs is a podium finish (no matter how well anyone else does) to secure the championship, and he’s been doing that largely throughout the year.

Lewis Hamilton: Why He Could Lose
He’s a rookie who’s never been faced with this kind of intense pressure and under this much overwhelming scrutiny. The press, fans, team, and his country are all looking for him to wrap this up. That’s a lot of pressure. He’s been fairly good at facing pressure head-on thus far, but has shown signs of stress and cracking before, and this is just the kind of thing that Fernando likes to prey on with his mind games. Rest assured, Fernando is playing them right now. And what with the internal animosity between the two Mercedes McLaren drivers, if Fernando begins to think that Lewis is going to win, look for Fernando to take him out immediately. Finally, a little statistic: in the eight times that the World Drivers Championship has been decided at Brazil, the leading points scorer has won only three times.

Kimi Raikkonen, Why He Could Win
He’s the master of come-from-behind victories. Whatever pressure Lewis and Fernando are facing, Kimi has the ability to double it on any given race day. Additionally, Kimi has already won one psychological battle: both McLaren Mercedes drivers are only gunning for each other. And to make this even better: he knows he has nothing to lose by going for broke.

Kimi Raikkonen, Why He Could Lose
He has the most points to make up to win this thing. It’s no question that he needs to win this race, but he also needs his team mate to come in second for a Ferrari 1-2 victory in order to shut both Mercedes McLaren drivers down… and that’s assuming Lewis finishes sixth or worse.

So, to summaraize, here are the final mathematical permutations for all drivers in which to become world champion:
For Fernando Alonso to become champion:
- Alonso first place; Hamilton third or lower or
- Alonso second place; Hamilton sixth or lower or
- Alonso third place; Hamilton eigth or lower; Raikkonen second or lower or
- Alonso fourth place; Hamilton out of the points; Raikkonen third or lower

For Lewis Hamilton to become champion:
- Hamilton first or second place or
- Hamilton third or fourth place; Alonso second place or lower or
- Hamilton fifth place; Alonso third place or lower or
- Hamilton sixth or seventh place; Alonso third place or lower; Raikkonen second place or lower or
- Hamilton eighth place; Alonso fifth place or lower; Raikkonen third place or lower or
- Hamilton out of the points; Alonso fifth place or lower; Raikkonen third place or lower

For Kimi Raikkonen to be champion:
- Raikkonen first place; Alonso third place or lower; Hamilton sixth place or lower or
- Raikkonen second place; Alonso fourth place or lower; Hamilton eigth place or lower

Speed Channel is beginning its coverage tomorrow with the Friday practices at 7 AM and 11 AM for Practice 1 and 2 sessions, respectively. Saturday’s practice begins at 8 AM, followed by Qualifying at 11 AM. Finally, Sunday’s big race will begin at 11 AM. All times I’ve shown are Central Standard Time (GMT - 6).

If you watch no other Formula 1 race or exciting television this year, make sure you watch this. You’re not going to want to miss it.