The Formula 1 season came to an end today, with a very disappointing finish for the Mclaren Mercedes team. Hamilton and Alonso finished, with equal amount of points, on 2nd place. Kimi Raikkonen, after a phenomenal comeback, managed to take the title away from Hamilton in the last race. It is hard to categorize todays’ race, but it will definitely go down in history as one of the most exciting and closest races. We at BenzInsider are quite disappointed with the result, but we still believe that Hamilton will get his chance next year, and if he continues to drive like he did this season, there is no doubt that he will win it. Congrats to Kimi, a former Mclaren Mercedes driver for winning his first World Championship title.
The start: After qualifying second, Lewis started from the front row for the 12th time in 17 races. Fernando was fourth on the grid. At the start, Lewis dropped to third behind Kimi Rà¤ikkà¶nen, at the third corner, he was overtaken by Fernando and was fourth. At the end of the back straight, Lewis had a short off and dropped to eighth place.
The race: Lewis passed Jarno Trulli (Toyota) for seventh place on the second lap. On lap seven, Lewis overtook Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) and was sixth.
One lap later, Lewis suddenly slowed down; the reason was a gear shifting problem. He dropped to 18th position before he was able to resume normal racing speed. Lewis charged through the field: 17th on lap 10; 16th on lap 14; 12th on lap 15; 11th on lap 17.
On laps 20 and 21, the two Ferraris made their respective first stops and Fernando took the lead. The Spaniard came in one lap later (8.7sec) followed by Lewis on the same lap (5.8sec). On lap 26, Fernando was again in third place whilst Lewis was 13th.
Lap 29: Lewis was 12th. Then he was stuck behind Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso Ferrari). Lap 33: Lewis overtook and was now ninth whilst Fernando lost one position to Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) and was now fourth. On lap 36, Lewis came in for his second stop (6.5sec) and remained ninth. Fernando was now third.
On lap 44, Lewis improved to eighth place and was in a points scoring position.
Fernando pitted for the second time on lap 52 (6.5sec) and rejoined the race in fifth place. Lewis came in for a third stop on lap 56 (5.4sec) and resumed in eighth place. Fernando was back in third place.
After Trulli’s third pit stop on lap 64, Lewis was seventh. He took the chequered flag after 71 laps in the same position. Fernando finished third. Both Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers ended the championship on 109 points each, Lewis is second overall because he has more second places – five instead of Fernando’s four.
Comments
Fernando Alonso
“The result today is of course disappointing but we already knew that it would be difficult starting from fourth to win the race and the Championship today. I predicted at the start of the season that it was going to be very close and that it would come down to the race here in Brazil, I just hoped that it would have been in my favour, but that is not the case and I just have to accept that for this year. It was a difficult race for me. During the first laps, I thought I was able to match the Ferraris’ speed; however, when they began pushing they were just too fast. Our car was fast and competitive throughout the year and I won four races. I am still satisfied with this season”
Lewis Hamilton
“Obviously I am pretty disappointed with the result today, having lead for so much of the season and then not to win the Championship. However I have to put the result into perspective, this is only my first year in Formula 1 and overall it has just been phenomenal. I am still very young and have plenty more years in me to achieve my dream of becoming World Champion. I have to thank absolutely everyone in the team for everything they have done for me this year, without them and all their hard work I wouldn’t have even been in this position today.”
Ron Dennis
“Having fought a close and thrilling battle in the Drivers’ Championship all year and then not to win it at the final hurdle is obviously extremely disappointing. However, we as a team can only feel very proud of all our achievements this season and the way in which we have conducted ourselves. To come into this championship showdown with two drivers both with a chance of winning is a testament to all the hard work and dedication everybody in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team has put in throughout this difficult year. We would like to congratulate Kimi on his achievement today.”
Norbert Haug
“Not the result today we wanted to achieve with both Lewis and Fernando having been so close to winning the World Championship. But even two times 109 points is not making up for 110. It hurts very much if you are missing just two points to win a Championship. However, I want to thank the entire team for their hard work during this season. It is sad for everybody in the team that we couldn’t capitalise on our second chance following China. Congratulations to Kimi and Ferrari on winning the World Championship.”
