Title chase on for 2010 Formula One Grand Prix

With just two races left in the formula one calendar and arguably five strong title contenders, this year’s drivers championship really will go right down to the wire, reports James Hartnett.

Just when Briton Lewis Hamilton looked the most likely contender to walk away with the trophy just last month, a steep decent in performance has seen the Stevenage-born prodigy tail off of the lead back into fourth position - just in front of compatriot Jenson Button.

Only six weeks ago, Hamilton was vying for the title against Aussie talisman Mark Webber – and it looked like his year once more with only three races left in the season. However, following several disappointing results and insurgent form from Webber, the Aussie now holds a rather comfortable 14-point lead at the head of the championship ahead of Spaniard Fernando Alonso, and a commendable 28-point lead over Hamilton.

To say Hamilton is out-of-form is an understatement. In fact, Hamilton has only managed one win – his only podium – in his last six races. In perspective, Webber has managed a win, two second places and a third in the same time.

Hamilton isn’t the only Brit struggling with form this year. With the start of a new season came new hope for McLaren’s British duo of Hamilton and Button. For more than half the season, the team led both the constructor’s and driver’s championships, and the pair looked a formidable force going into the tail-end of the season. It was only mid-way through the season at Valencia that things changed.

Although title-rivals Red Bull had a far more subdued start to the season with a string of technical difficulties and driver rivalry seeing the team slump behind fierce rivals McLaren, the team soon found blistering form just as McLaren seemed to lose theirs. The technical difficulties were no more, as all but one race since saw at least one of their drivers take a podium.

Looking further afield however it is clear that it was only a matter of time until the Red Bulls dominated. Only twice this year , once for both Alonso and Hamilton, has a non-Red Bull driver managed to take pole position after qualifying – no small feat by any means.

Meanwhile, Ferrari’s hopes rest solely in Alonso – a fact known in no small way after the controversial team orders/overtaking fiasco when teammate Felipe Massa allowed him to take the chequered flag.

Alonso is somewhat the underdog this year and largely unmentioned in the title race, yet a sequence of consistent results places him a desirable second in the driver’s championship.

Realistically, any slip-up from championship leader Mark Webber could open the door for any other of the top five to claim the crown. The driver’s championship really is up in the air, and who’ll be the one to catch it really is anyone’s guess.