Brazilian Grand Prix

Brazilian Grand Prix
Sao Paulo
Sunday 2 November 2008

Track: 4.31 km
Laps: 71

The Race
If you have heard that this was an exciting race, you were misinformed. This Brazilian Grand Prix will go down in history as one of the all-time great Formula 1 races.

The scene was set with a young up-start who appeared on the scene just one year ago and proceeded to demolish former world champions with apparent ease. The fact that Lewis Hamilton had the World Championship within his grasp in his first year just left everyone open-mouthed. When he lost to Kimi Raikkonen in 2007, there was a feeling of relief within the Formula 1 family. This year there was no mistaking Hamilton’s intent and after several impetuous mistakes, he almost visibly became a calmer, more assured and responsible driver. He came to Sao Paulo this year with a 7 point lead over Felipe Massa, his only rival for the title.

Thunder clouds were gathering as the cars lined up and the start was postponed as the first heavy raindrops fell. The safety car was brought out as the rain eased off but, with the forecast of no further rain for 40 minutes, the cars got away just a few minutes later. Led by Massa, Jarno Trulli, Raikkonen and Hamilton, the expected drama at the first corner came from those who followed. Heikki Kovaleinen, who was supposed to protect Hamilton’s rear, was himself overtaken by both Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel. David Coulthard’s last F1 race ended shortly afterwards, having been hit by Rosberg and then by Nakajima. Nelsinho Piquet’s race was also over in this first lap. The resulting carnage meant the safety car emerging until the track was cleared on lap 4. As soon as the track began to dry, Alonso and Vettel dived into the pits for a tyre change. The leaders followed but somehow Hamilton managed to lose a place and was then slowed by Adrian Suthill (Force India).

There was a belief that the Ferraris were on a 2-stop strategy for fuel but this proved to be wrong as Massa stayed out until lap 38, by which time he had pulled out over 20 seconds on Hamilton. Alonso was next to pit, followed by Raikkonen and Hamilton. Raikkonen pitted for just 5.1 seconds to get out ahead of Hamilton, who was now lying 5th. With just 14 laps remaining, cars were alerted to rain due in ten minutes. Nick Heidfeld was first to pit, followed by Alonso, Raikkonen and Hamilton. Massa came in but rejoined the race still in the lead. Timo Glock stayed out on dry tyres which drew him up into 4th place. As the rain got heavier, Vettel overtook Hamilton with just 3 laps to go, pushing the young Briton into 6th place and out of the championship! Hamilton tried everything to get back, but Vettel was just too quick. Coming into the final straight, the Ferrari team were on their feet cheering Massa. As Vettel and Hamilton raced through the final bend, they caught and passed Glock who was struggling on dry tyres. Massa wins the Brazilian Grand Prix but Hamilton wins the World Championship, the youngest driver to do so. Fernando Alonso drove a superb race to take second place and move up to fifth overall after a dismal first half of the season. Kimi Raikkonen was third and also moves up to third overall. Ferrari takes the Constructor’s championship once again with McLaren and BMW Sauber second and third.

What a superb end to the season!

Mike O’Neill

The top eight finishers were:
1 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
4 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
5 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
6 Timo Glock (Toyota)
7 Heikki Kovaleinen (McLaren)
8 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)

Top ten drivers in 2008:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 99
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 98
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 75
4 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 75
5 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 61
6 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 60
7 Heikki Kovaleinen (McLaren) 53
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 35
9 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 31
10Timo Glock (Toyota) 25

Top Teams in 2008:
1 Ferrari 172
2 McLaren 151
3 BMW Sauber 135
4 Renault 80
5 Toyota 56

Brazilian Grand Prix

Brazilian Grand Prix
Sao Paulo
Sunday 2 November 2008

Track: 4.31 km
Laps: 71

Qualifying:
Felipe Massa stamped his authority over the Formula 1 field at Interlagos today, gaining pole position for the third successive year. Alongside him is Jarno Trulli (Toyota) who planned carefully for this final GP of the season. Two days ago he was in bed with ‘flu. But today he conserved his tyres and then went for it; later saying:”this shows the progress we have made this season. Now we hope to finish on a high." Kimi Raikkonen claimed third spot ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who has to finish in the top five if Massa wins, otherwise he will forfeit the Championship that so nearly was his last year. Heikki Kovaleinen (5th) will have to be ‘rear gunner’ with a vengeance tomorrow if he is to keep Fernando Alonso (6th) from harassing his former team-mate. Sebastian Vettel is seventh, just ahead of Nick Heidfeld. Sebastian Bourdais is ninth, with Timo Glock tenth.

A real surprise is that Robert Kubica, lying third overall in the championship could only manage thirteenth due to problems with grip.

This will be the final Grand Prix race for David Coulthard (37), who starts 14th on the grid. We wish him well for tomorrow’s race and for whatever plans he has for the future.

The forecast? There is a threat of thunderstorms during the race which starts at 14.00 and can be seen (in Catalan) on TV3. A repeat is usually shown on CH33 at 22.00.

The grid line-up:
1 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
4 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
6 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
7 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
8 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
9 Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso)
10 Timo Glock (Toyota)


Top six after 17 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 94
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 87
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 75
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 69
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 60
6 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 53

Mike O’Neill

CHINESE GRAND PRIX

Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai
Sunday 19 October 2008
Lewis Hamilton stormed away at the start of today’s race, followed by Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Fernando Alonso was in touch with the top three but Heikki Kovaleinen in the second McLaren seemed to be dropping back. It was later disclosed that his tyres had been incorrectly fitted.
Jarno Trulli started 7th but was hit by Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso) at the first corner and had to retire. Massa pitted first after 14 laps, followed by Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen. This gave Kovaleinen a brief spell at the front but Hamilton was soon back in command. At this stage, the top four remained unchanged but soon Robert Kubica, who had started 12th and Nick Heidfeld (9th) began to work their way up the field. Kovaleinen, who had fallen back, pitted on lap 35 with a shredded tyre. He came back out but later had to retire.
Meanwhile Hamilton had opened a comfortable gap over Raikkonen, who was noticeably slower towards lap 50. A grateful Massa finally slipped past into second and finished 15 seconds behind the young Briton. Raikkonen made it a 2,3 for Ferrari and Alonso came in fourth, followed by Heidfeld and Kubica.
Nelsinho Piquet, who started 10th on the grid, managed to pass both Sebastian Vettel and Sebastian Bourdais in the Toro Rossos. He was in turn passed by Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) and Timo Glock (Toyota) but, with the loss of Trulli and Kovaleinen, gained another point for Renault.
Ferrari seem to have the Constructor’s title safely in hand but what does seem surprising is that Sauber BMW are now just ten points behind McLaren. Despite the McLaren being clearly faster, Kubica and Heidfeld have simply scored points in more races than Hamilton and Kovaleinen.
Felipe Massa is now the only driver standing between Hamilton and the Drivers’ Championship, so it is perhaps fitting that the final deciding race will be in front of the Brazilian’s home crowd in São Paulo. Both drivers have five race wins and only seven points separate them, so the Brazilian Grand Prix on 2 November should provide a thrilling finish to an excellent season.
The top eight finishers were:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
6 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW)
7 Timo Glock (Toyota)
8 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)
After 17 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 94
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 87
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 75
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 69
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 60
6 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 53
7 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 30
9Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 30
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 22
Teams:
1 Ferrari 156
2 McLaren 145
3 BMW Sauber 135
4 Renault 72
5 Toyota 52
Mike O’Neill

Chinese Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix
Shanghai
Sunday 19 October 2008

Track: 5.45 km
Laps: 56


Qualifying:
All week there has been a build up, perhaps sparked by the media but not so far denied, of animosity towards Lewis Hamilton from other top Formula 1 drivers. The situation has surfaced following Fernando Alonso’s comments that “without doubt, if I can help, I will help” to support Felipe Massa’s bid for the championship. Massa is being diplomatic, saying only: “I am not going to take problems on the track off it”. Team mate Kimi Raikkonen however, is a little more explicit. Referring to last weekend’s first corner clash with Hamilton and Kovaleinen, he said: "I have no idea what the drivers behind me were thinking. They braked so late that it was impossible to avoid the following chaos." Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW), who is currently lying third in the Championship says that Hamilton is too aggressive.

This could be just sour grapes from those who have been out-raced and out-manoeuvred by the British driver but it certainly didn’t stop Hamilton from pulling out another storming qualifier to take pole position for tomorrow’s race. As he said before the qualifying session: “I do my talking on the track. If other people want to expend their energy thinking about it, that’s for them.”

Hamilton will have the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Massa on his tail from the start tomorrow. Behind them will be Alonso who, after recent remarks, will no doubt be closely watched by the stewards! Heikki Kovaleinen (McLaren) is ahead of Sebastian Vettel(Toro Rosso), who has already shown that he is capable of upsetting the leaders at the slightest chance. In seventh is Jarno Trulli (Toyota), followed by Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso) and Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW), who qualified sixth but was penalised for slowing David Coulthard. Mark Webber

By this time last year, Hamilton had scored 107 points and was 12 points clear of team-mate Alonso. This year, with a far slimmer margin, we are seeing a far more polished driver who should be better able to deliver results.

The forecast? There is a chance of showers during the race which starts at 08.00
and can be seen (in Catalan) on TV3. A repeat is usually shown on CH33 at 22.00.

The grid line-up:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
3 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
6 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
8 Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso)
9 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
10 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)


Top six after 16 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 84
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 79
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 72
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 63
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 56
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51

Mike O’Neill

Japanese Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix
Sunday 12 September 2008

In one of the most exciting race without rain this year, Fernando Alonso reminded us just how he came to be a double world champion by coaxing his Renault to an overall victory at the Fuji Speedway in Japan.

Grid leader Hamilton got away to a slow start, allowing Kimi Raikkonen to get ahead. As they approached turn 1, Hamilton braked late and, according to the stewards, forced Raikkonen off the track. Robert Kubica and Fernando Alonso (who started sixth and fourth) saw their chance and stole away into the lead.
Hamilton fought back but, approaching the chicane on lap 2, Felipe Massa’s wheel hit the McLaren, spinning it around. Hamilton re-joined the race but, with a drive –through penalty from the first lap still to do, his chances were not good. The only consolation came when Massa was awarded a similar penalty for their collission. Meanwhile, team mate Heikki Kovaleinen was hanging on to third place, ahead of Jarno Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen until lap16 when smoke appeared from the McLaren engine and he was out of the race. Alonso pitted behind Kubica and took on less fuel to get out ahead. He then put in some dazzling laps to ensure that when he pitted again with 23 laps to go, Kubica was firmly in second place. Raikkonen tried everything to get past the Polish driver but had to watch out for Nelsinho Piquet in the second Renault who was closing fast in the final laps.

Felipe Massa’s penalty had relegated him to 14th, but he had worked his way back up to tenth when he collided with Sebastian Bourdais, who had just rejoined the race after pitting. Massa spun, but still managed to finish eighth. Stewards later gave Bourdais, who had finished sixth, a 25 second penalty which dropped him to 10th and gave Massa an extra point.

Since McLaren failed to gain any points, Ferrari move back to lead the constructors’ table.

With just two races to go, Hamilton will be working hard to control those racing instincts that got him into so much trouble today. Next week, the F1 Show moves to Shanghai, China for Race 17.

The top eight finishers were:
1 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
4 Nelsinho Piquet (Renault)
5 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
6 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
7 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
8 Mark Webber (Red Bull)

After 16 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 84
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 79
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 72
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 63
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 56
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51
7 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 48
8Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 30
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 30
10 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 21

Teams:
1 Ferrari 142
2 McLaren 135
3 BMW Sauber 128
4 Renault 66R
5 Toyota 50Mc

Mike O’Neill

Japanese Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix
Sunday 12 September 2008

Track: 4.56 km

Laps: 67


Qualifying:
The Japanese Grand prix will take place tomorrow at the Fuji Speedway, where Lewis Hamilton holds the lap record from 2007. He drove a superb lap in qualifying to take pole position ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, who is believed to be running a light fuel load. Whether this will give him the edge into the first corner remains to be seen but, with team mate Massa back in fifth place, Ferrari will be hoping that the Finn will be able to slow Hamilton enough to give Massa a chance to claw back some of the 7-point lead that Hamilton has in the Driver’s Championship.

Heikki Kovaleinen (McLaren) was third in qualifying and will no doubt be hoping to improve on his ‘rear-gunner’ skills to hold off fourth-placed Fernando Alonso (Renault) and Massa in the second Ferrari. Robert Kubika (Sauber BMW) in sixth is always a threat and the Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock have improved greatly since mid-season. Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) is only one point behind Raikkonen but, starting 16th after failing to get into Q2 will make things a lot tougher for him.

The Fuji Speedway provides plenty of passing opportunities and, with just three races to go, some drivers may feel they have nothing to lose!

The forecast? Rain could be an issue but the outlook is for cloudy, windy conditions. The race starts half an hour earlier than usual at 13.30 and can be seen (in Catalan) on TV3. A repeat is usually shown on CH33 at 22.00.

The grid line-up:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
3 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
6 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW)
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
8 Timo Glock (Toyota)
9 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
10 Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso)



Top six after 15 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 84
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 77
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 64
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 56
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51

Mike O’Neill

Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday 28 September

In a thrilling and eventful race, Fernando Alonso (Renault) claimed his first victory in what, for a two times world champion, has been a very frustrating season with an uncompetitive car.

Felipe Massa led from pole and, with a light fuel load, was expected to pit early. Whether it was the unfamiliar track, the floodlit circuit or a lapse of concentration; things started to go wrong on lap 14, when Nelsinho Piquet (Renault) crashed into the concrete wall. Team mate Alonso had pitted earlier and was spared the pain of watching the fuel draining behind the safety car. This lack of fuel forced Robert Kubica and Nico Rosberg to incur 10 second penalties for re-fuelling whilst the pit lane was ‘closed’. When Massa finally pitted on lap 17, a faulty light signal prompted him to accelerate away with the fuel hose still attached. The hose ripped out of the bowser, bowled over one of the pit crew and dragged behind the Ferrari until Massa stopped. Further seconds were lost as the crew raced after the car and wrestled the nozzle from the tank. Massa rejoined the race in last place.

Meanwhile Rosberg (Williams) had re-joined the race and, as one by one the cars ahead pitted for fuel, found himself in the lead, followed by Jarno Trulli (Toyota) who was on a one-stop strategy. Rosberg finally pitted for his penalty, leaving Trulli in the lead. Once Trulli pitted, Alonso was clear away and began to build a strong lead. Meanwhile, David Coulthard had moved up into third, with Lewis Hamilton fourth. Alonso pitted on lap 40, by which time he had built a sufficient lead to re-join just in front of Coulthard. Hamilton saw his opportunity and passed Coulthard seconds later before a final pit stop.

Raikkonen, who had patiently worked his way back into fifth position after the earlier chaos, crashed out with just four laps to go. Team mate Massa had spun off on lap 50; pulling away just before Adrian Sutil (Force India) crashed into the barrier. Not a good evening for a team which started 1st and 3rd on the grid.

In what could become defining moments in the 2008 championship, Ferrari lost their constructor’s lead to McLaren and Renault pulled ahead of Toyota to take fourth place behind BMW Sauber.

The next grand prix takes place in Japan on Sunday 12 October.

Mike O’Neill


The top eight finishers were:
1 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
2 Nico Rosberg (Williams)
3 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
4 Timo Glock (Toyota)
5 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
6 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
7 David Coulthard (Red Bull)
8 Kazuki Nakajima (Williams)


After 15 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 84
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 77
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 64
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 56
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51
7 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 38
8 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) 27
9Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 26
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 20
10 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 20

Teams:
1 McLaren 135fer
2 Ferrari 134
3 BMW Sauber 120
4 Renault 51
5 Toyota 46

Formula 1 Night Race - Singapore

Singapore Grand Prix
Sunday 28 September 2008

Track: 5.067 km

Laps: 61

Qualifying:
With just one point separating the world championship leaders, today’s practise on a new street track was always going to be tense. This tension was increased by having to qualify under floodlights. The Singapore circuit will see the first ever Formula 1 night race, which gets under way at 20.00 local time.

Felipe Massa gained a psychological advantage by qualifying over half a second faster than Lewis Hamilton but this may have been achieved with a significantly lighter fuel load. This will make Ferrari’s pit stop strategy even more critical than usual. Massa later said: “The track is very difficult and requires total concentration lap after lap because there is no room for error: it's much harder here than in Monaco”. Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari qualified third, with Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) fourth. Heikki Kovaleinen (McLaren) finds himself sandwiched between the two Sauber BMWs, having Nick Heidfeld behind him in sixth place. Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso), who won his first Grand Prix at Monza earlier this month, starts seventh with Timo Glock (Toyota) eighth. The two Williams drivers are ninth and tenth, giving Kazuki Nakajima his first ever top ten start.

Fernando Alonso failed to get into the top 10 after several promising runs in practice. His Renault engine cut out during the second qualifying session, which means he will start in 15th place.

The forecast? Thundery rain is expected but when and how much is still undecided. The race starts at 14.00 (or 20.00 if you happen to be in Singapore!)

The grid line-up:
1 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
4 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW)
5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
6 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
7 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
8 Timo Glock (Toyota)
9 Nico Rosberg (Williams)
10 Kazuki Nakajima (Williams)

Top six after 14 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 78
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 77
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 64
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 53
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 51

Italian Grand Prix - Qualifying

Italian Grand Prix
Sunday 14 September

Monza

Track: 5.79 km

Laps: 53

Qualifying:
Monza is the ‘spiritual home’ of Ferrari, just 180km north of their factory at Modena, so just an hour away for the average Italian driver. The ‘Tifosi’, as the great band of Ferrari fans are known, will be out in force to cheer on Felipe Massa who, following the controversial decision at Spa last week, is just two points behind Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers Championship table.

It is probably the fastest track in the current Grand Prix calendar. The long straights encourage the use of full throttle and low downforce, so less grip in the corners. If you add torrential rain into the equation, it becomes very interesting indeed. This was very evident in Saturday’s qualifying sessions as first one, then another top driver failed to keep his car pointing in the right direction. Whether it was poor tyre choice or simply bad timing, both Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen failed to post good enough times to get into the top ten. Even Felipe Massa struggled to claim sixth on the grid. It was left to Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso), to show the way and secure pole position. Vettel turned 21 in July and so becomes the youngest driver ever to head a Formula 1 start. He is joined on the front row by Heikki Kovalainen, with Mark Webber (Red Bull) in third. Sebastian Bourdais is fourth in the other Toro Rosso with Nico Rosberg (Williams) in fifth.

The forecast is for more rain on Sunday. The big questions are when and how much? The race starts at 14.00.

The grid line-up:
1 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)
2 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren)
3 Mark Webber (Red Bull)
4 Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso)
5 Nico Rosberg (Williams)
6 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota)
8 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
9 Timo Glock (Toyota)
10 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)


Top six after 13 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 76
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 74
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 58
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 49
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 43

Mike O’Neill

Belgian Grand Prix

Unlucky 13 for Hamilton
In what should have been his finest moment so far, Lewis Hamilton had his victory at Spa snatched away soon after receiving the winner’s trophy.

Starting from pole position, Hamilton got away smoothly in the 13th race of the season but, following a spin near the end of the first lap, soon found fourth placed Raikkonen all over him. The Fin was clearly hungry to show why he is the current world champion and got past the British driver with a daring move. Heikki Kovaleinen, who started second, should have been covering for Hamilton but a crunch at the first corner pushed him down the field and he never really recovered.

Raikkonen led for most of the race, followed by Hamilton and Felipe Massa. The skies, which had looked threatening all day, started dropping a light drizzle six laps from the finish. Hamilton saw his chance and closed on Raikkonen. With two laps to go, the shower became a downpour and Hamilton made his move at the final chicane. Both drivers were still on hard tyres and Raikkonen went wide, leaving Hamilton with nowhere to go except to cut the chicane. Coming out ahead of the Ferrari and realizing he could get a penalty, Hamilton allowed Raikkonen through and continued the chase, taking the lead once more at the hairpin. When back-marker Nico Rosberg spun and blocked the track with a lap and a half to go, Raikkonen seized the lead once more, only to spin off into the tyre wall, leaving Hamilton to cruise carefully to take the chequered flag.

Hamilton shared the podium with Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber), whose courageous decision to go in for wet weather tyres just two laps from the finish pulled him from seventh to third. Two hours later came the news that Hamilton had been penalized 25 seconds (equivalent to a drive-through penalty) by the stewards, relegating him to third in the race and handing Massa his fifth win this year and boosting Heidfeld into second.

In all the drama, it should be remembered that there was some great driving further down the field. Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso) looked good for his first podium finish until the rain arrived. But the decision to stay out on hard tyres proved wrong as first Heidfeld, then team-mate Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica went by. Bourdais later confessed: “it was a very frustrating way to finish what was a great weekend up to that point.” Still, he managed to double his points for the year and maybe this taste of success will bring him better results in the races still to come.

Fernando Alonso showed what it takes to be a two-times world champion by surrendering his fourth place to go and get wet tyres with less than two laps remaining. He re-entered in eighth place and drove furiously to regain fourth after Raikkonen’s crash. Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso) is another driver whose decision to stay out on dry tyres could have cost him dearly. But still he managed to finish in the points for the fifth time in the seven races he has completed this year. The now more reliable Toro Rosso should take Vettel further up the points table in the remaining five.

All in all a very satisfying race, in spite of the controversial decision over Hamilton.

The top eight finishers were:
1 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
2 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
3 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
4 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
5 Sebastian Vettel (STR-Ferrari)
6 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber)
7 Sebastian Bourdais (Toro Rosso)
8 Mark Webber (Red Bull)


After 13 races, the leader board looks like this:
Drivers:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 76
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 74
3 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 58
4 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 49
6 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 43
7 Jarno Trulli (Toyota) 26
8 Fernando Alonso (Renault) 23
9 Mark Webber (Red Bull) 19
10 Timo Glock (Toyota) 15


Teams:
1 Ferrari 131
2 McLaren 119
3 BMW Sauber 107
4 Toyota 41
5 Renault 36

The next race (the 14th) is at Monza next Sunday. Could this be where Massa makes the move to re-establish himself at the top of the table? With just 2 points between them, it should be very exciting, especially in front of Ferrari's home crowd.

Footnote: The internet is buzzing with the cries of outraged fans who believe Hamilton and Team McLaren were ‘robbed’ of a just victory. They make the point that Ferrari extended their contract with Formula 1 Management until 2012 in return for a greater say in the way the rules are drawn up. It is fair to say that the stewards do seem to have penalised Hamilton rather harshly in the circumstances but no doubt all will come out in the impending appeal hearing called for by McLaren.

Mike O’Neill

Belgian Grand Prix

Belgian Grand Prix
Spa

Sunday 7 September


7.00km 44 laps

Race: 14.00 Sun

The track at Spa Francorcamps is, at 7 kilometres the longest on the Formula 1 championship circuit. Most of today’s qualifying took place under grey skies and it seemed for a while that the McLarens had the speed to keep Ferrari off the front row in Sunday’s race. Lewis Hamilton secured pole with a superb lap and Heikki Kovaleinen was also very quick. But Felipe Massa put in a technically perfect lap and split the two McLarens. Kimi Raikkonen was again outclassed by his Brazilian team mate although he may draw comfort from having won at Spa for the last three years. He said later: “I am reasonably happy with my car, which seems to be behaving the way I like.”

Nick Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) was fifth, ahead of Fernando Alonso, who manages to coax quite a bit more out of his Renault than his points (18 so far) would suggest. “We now have a real chance to get a strong result tomorrow, which is important for the championship. I’m quite confident,” said ‘Nando after qualifying.

There is a chance that the awful weather system above England may spill over into Belgium tomorrow. If that happens, there could be a few surprise results to report.

If Sky is not available, the race can be seen live on TV3 (with Catalan commentary!). It is repeated on Sunday evening on TV33 at 22.00.

The grid line-up:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
3 Heikki Kovalainen(McLaren)
4 Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW)
6 Fernando Alonso (Renault)
7 Mark Webber (Red Bull)
8 Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber)
9 Sebastian Bourdais(Toro Rosso)
10 Sebastian Vettel (Toro Rosso)

Top six after 12 races:
1 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) 70
2 Felipe Massa (Ferrari) 64
3 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) 57
4 Robert Kubica (Sauber BMW) 55
5 Heikki Kovalainen (McLaren) 43
6 Nick Heidfeld (Sauber BMW) 41

Mike O’Neill

British Grand Prix Sunday 6 July 2008

Silverstone looks like becoming the British equivalent of Magny Cours, now that a deal has been signed to move the British Grand Prix to Donington Park in 2010. There will be feelings of dismay and anger from members of the British Racing Drivers Club, whose president Damon Hill had been trying to get state aid to raise standards at the Northamptonshire circuit. FIA President Max Mosley said “After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie (Ecclestone) has nevertheless been able to ensure that the British Grand Prix will keep its place on the Formula 1 World Championship Calendar.” More here on Mike O'Neill's column.