Mark Webber has vowed to cross his fingers for Fernando Alonso this weekend as the 2007 championship reaches its climax in Brazil.
Twice title winner Alonso is four points behind his rookie McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton with just the Interlagos finale to go, with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen a further three points adrift.
“I would be delighted if Fernando won it,” Australian Webber told the Spanish newspaper Diario As, “but I do think that Hamilton is going to.
“He is in the best position to be champion.”
Webber, who drives for Red Bull, said 26-year-old Alonso is his personal favourite because of his “good friendship” with the Spaniard over many seasons.
Despite their friendship, however, Webber joins Bernie Ecclestone in excitingly contemplating a Senna-Prost style collision that could crown the champion.
“That would be very interesting!” he beamed, “and then Raikkonen would win the championship.”
Honda racer Rubens Barrichello also said he hoped Alonso emerges on Sunday as F1’s newest triple world champion.
“If you ask me who I prefer personally, then I would say Alonso,” the Brazilian said.
“Firstly because he is a great driver, but also because of everything he has gone through this season.”
Former McLaren team coordinator Jo Ramirez, however, says it has been fascinating to watch how Alonso handled his championship campaign in 2007.
“Against Schumacher, he was flawless,” the Mexican told sportnet.at, “but this year his teammate has beaten him and he has made so many mistakes.
“It is really interesting. I have lived in Spain most of my life and have read in the newspapers how McLaren favour Hamilton and that Alonso has done absolutely nothing wrong.
“That is all nonsense!”
