Kimi Raikkonen, World Champion
That is what Formula 1 is all about. I have to admit, I loved the Lewis Hamilton fairy tale, and I really wanted to see the man win the title in his rookie year. For me, that would have been the most amazing story ever.
Until the Brazilian Grand Prix today when I watched as Hamilton botched things up for the second race in a row, Fernando Alonso straggled and Kimi Raikkonen just coasted on to a victory in his Ferrari in what could be called one of the most sensational finishes to a season since the championship began in 1950. This is not hyperbole. It was really the last time a guy came from third position to winning the title in the last race.
And for me, that is proof that Formula 1 is still the pinnacle. It was an amazing outcome, and what a race!
Comments
Great season-especially since Alonso
did not win the Championship
you finally admit what everyone already knew. your a mcclaren fanboy.
on oct. 20, 2007 you sang a different tune. qualifying and racing are 2 different types of races. the best qualifier does not always win and in-experience took the best of hamilton. he raced when he didn’t need to. he tried to show how great he is without the experience to back it. brazil is a champions course and hamiton is not a champion yet. he will be great but the media needs to let him do it in time. he also has some big competition that doesn’t get the recognition they deserve…eg: kubica…etc. this sort of reminds me of kimi and meclaren, history does repeat itself. maybe he should look for a better team. kimi’s early years with meclaren…schumaker the legend…kimi the underdog…we’ll see how great hamilton is as long as he stays with meclaren. he’s no better than kimi was when he was with meclaren…and look out for bmw…kubica. true colors will show in 2008…Gabe
Gabe and Brad both make some valid points. I also love a fairy tale but in this case, Lewis needed to come down to earth a bit – it has been too easy. Add to that the fact that there would always have been some questions about just how much they benefitted from inside knowledge about Ferrari strategy etc etc. Kimi never had that bonus information; he also did not have the most reliable car, yet he still came out tops and thoroughly deserved this rabbit out of the hat result. Lewis must learn that being brash does not always earn you titles – there are times when lesser places are just fine thanks. Ask Nelson PIquet, who won world titles by coming second, consistently!
Hi everyone -
What a season we have had and the ups and downs were trying to continue after Kimi was made Champion. Personally I think the result was fair!. Neither Hamilton or Alonso made the grade and both finishing on the same points I think justice was done. The ‘Iceman’ did cometh!.
If Alonso should move from McLaren, one does wonder who will take his place!.
Gene – I absolutley agree with you about Kubica (my choice since Michael left). A fine driver in the making, and almost a rookie himself in F1.
Has anyone noticed how many times Hakinnen has been seen in the pits during the last few races?. Will he make a play for the spare seat at McLaren should Alonso leave?
Brad -
Thanks for all the hard work and wonderful photo’s you have given us during this past season. Very much appreciated. Keep in touch.
Apoligies…..I meant ‘Gabe’ re Kubica
Gabe again, i’m glad to see that others see what i’m saying. as far as kubica going to macleren, i think this would be a bad choice, leaving bmw when they are the most improved team on the ciruit. they have a great team, great drivers and great potential in the future. they are not far from a world championship either. more reliable than macleren and ferrari this year…as far as the feul temp, if the appeal goes through, hopefully they will penalize the team not the drivers. the drivers have no control over what happens in the pit. they can take away constructors points rather than positions. those guys drove hard and diserved to be where they finished. in the past (i beleive 1997) they penalized the teams not the drivers, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, or is it different this time because it involves ferrari’s championship???? …Gabe
Gabe, interesting idea about penalizing the team but not the drivers. Your memory is close – it was in 1995 and it had to do with fuel then as well. It was the so-called “fuel fingerprint” that failed to match on the cars of a couple of the drivers – David Coulthard at Williams and Michael Schumacher at Benetton. Indeed, they decided to drop the penalty against the drivers and only penalize the team. On the other hand, that was not the last time that happened: This year the very fact that Alonso and Hamilton were allowed to continue to race after McLaren was penalized in the spy scandal is because the FIA decided again to penalize the team but not the drivers.
So why not?
Connie, I agree that Lewis has to learn to reign in the points he needs to win the title, and not go for the victory or whatever is the highest place he thinks he deserves. He attacked Alonso at the start after losing position to him, and although he was still in fourth… he dropped to eighth as a result. Fourth would have given the title to him…. Piquet, sure. And Prost… and even Schumacher… Remember once he won the title finishing in the eighth position he needed to take the title? I think, anyway. Japan a few years ago.