British GP Preview: F1 almost at home

This week F1 will be coming home, well in a certain way, I mean. Most of the teams are based in the UK, in the region close to Silverstone so most of them will be playing at home as we head to one more Grand Prix of the 2011 season.

So what has changed in the past weeks? Basically nothing. Vettel continues an impressive roll of victories, only beaten twice in 2011, and is comfortably leading the championship, leaving the other drivers to fight for runner-up spot. In fact experts and fans are already comparing Red Bull’s dominance to the golden era of Schumacher in Ferrari.

In Silverstone thousands of motorsport addicts are expected to fill the grandstands and the grassy banks around Silverstone and will certainly be pushing and cheering for the victory of a British driver, whether it is from Hamilton, Button or even di Resta. Still if those fans have been watching F1 in the last weeks they will be predicting the German guy with the index finger pointing to the sky on the highest step of the podium.

Certainly we can expect some fight from Mark Webber who was the winner in this circuit last year. In a race that suits the Red Bulls and driving the same car as his team mate we should be able to see Webber making it difficult for Vettel to continue his streak.

The question is which of the other teams will be fighting against the Red Bulls. Last time around in Valencia the Ferraris were the ones closing in on Vettel, but in Montreal the McLarens were there. One thing is certain, both teams have been failing to give the right opposition to Red Bull but McLaren shold definitely want to impress in home soil as well as its two drivers. While Hamilton will want to repeat his 2008 victory, Btton will continue to pursue his first win at Silverstone.

For Silverstone Mercedes has promised technical improvements, already being requested by Nico Rosberg in some interviews. The German wants a better car, and so should be Michael Schumacher who has already won here three times, all of them on board a Ferrari.

Force India’s Paul di Resta should want to compose himself from his latests visits to the the stewards for some failed overtaking manoeuvres. Has he managed to do in the beginning of the season, the rookie will want to comeback to the points. And what better place that in front of his home crowd?

This weekend will mark the debut of Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo that will be replacing India’s Nahrain Karthikeyan on board the HRT. The new rookie will be joining his fellow countryman Webber and make it two Australian drivers on the grid. In this first weekend Ricciardo will be giving the first steps in F1 races and will want to follow the pace of his team-mate Tonio Liuzzi, trying to impress the likes of Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko.

And if you think you know who might be the winner of the British Grand Prix you definitely have to participate on Autoviva’s F1 Competition. It’s simple, just go here and cast your prediction by leaving a comment.