Formula One: Consistency Is key

We are over halfway through the current Formula One season and out of a maximum of 100 points, the current championship leader has 58...just over half the maximum.

Last season at this stage (Round 10), the championship leader had 70 points out of a possible 100.

So why do the top three drivers seem to be struggling to rack up the points in 2008?

One reason could be the effect of the BMW Sauber team. They have progressed greatly this year and the drivers have been able to be more competitive.

Nick Heidfeld has had some fairly good results (even if they do not match his qualifying pace), and has finished on the podium three times this season. Still seeking his first win in F1, Heidfeld now has the car and the potential to achieve this.

Heidfeld's teammate, Robert Kubica, has been extraordinary this season. Excluding retirements, he has finished in the points every race this season and took his maiden win at Montreal.

He currently lies fourth in the championship due to the excellent consistency he has maintained.

The BMWs have managed to snatch points away from the top drivers, and are now a recognised force on the grid.

Another reason that the drivers aren't picking up maximum points is because of the number of penalties that have been handed out this season. This probably relates to the McLaren drivers only.

So far this season, McLaren drivers have received six penalties in total (one of these is the fine of 5000 Euro Heikki received).

I personally agree with the penalties handed out to Lewis and Heikki at the Malaysian Grand Prix. And while I do agree with the handing out of a penalty for the crash Hamilton caused in the pit lane at Canada, I think that it was a bit too harsh.

These penalties have affected the McLaren boys and they have been unable to show their potential.

The Ferraris looked dominant at Magny-Cours, but if the McLaren drivers hadn't been so far back on the grid, the result could have been very different.

However, the answer to the question (Why do the top three drivers seem to be struggling to rack up the points in 2008?) is that the drivers have failed to be consistent.

Consistency is almost everything in the world of Formula One. If a driver finished third in every race of the season, he would finish the season on 108, which is almost enough to win a championship. 

The top drivers this season have all been inconsistent. All have had two or more no points score and have been unable to string a good set of results together.

Hamilton won the opening race of the season but dropped off the pace in Malaysia and Bahrain. He also failed to finish in Canada and finished out of the points in France.

Massa had a poor start to the season, failing to finish in Australia and Malaysia. He also finished 13th at Silverstone.

The world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, hasn't won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix and failed to score in Monte Carlo and Montreal.

Compare this to the start Lewis Hamilton had last year (and if you don't like Lewis, look at Alonso's start in 2006). I think you will find lots of difference, as you would with Kimi Raikkonen's season run in last year.

Consistency is what makes a champion.

Therefore, I am predicting that the World Drivers Champion for 2008 will be the driver who can remain the most consistent. At the moment it looks like Hamilton, but as we have experienced this season, we cannot predict anything until it is certain!

Hope you enjoyed that, don't forget to comment and rate as always!