Subdued. That’s the word that came to mind as I walked through the paddock an hour after the finish. It’s true that the vast acreage of concrete did little to engender atmosphere as the teams packed up but there was no buzz about the place, certainly not like Fuji the week before.
McLaren seem to be adopting a policy of avoiding all displays of triumphalism. No surprise, I suppose, when you consider that a 17-point lead disappeared this time last year. Even when Lewis Hamilton climbed
from his car in parc ferme, there was none of the leaping about you would expect after banishing the memories of a disastrous weekend in Japan.
McLaren seem to be keeping their collective head down just in case the FIA find some fault.
This race itself was the bore of the age with just one incident at the first corner and a couple of passes in the early laps. Not that Hamilton cared about that. From the moment he got a perfect start and safely negotiated the first corner, the worst was over. What followed was a demonstration as he edged away from the Ferraris.
The mood in the Ferrari garage was one that came close to bewilderment. The red cars simply were not on the pace. We’re only talking about less than a tenth of a second a lap, but that’s what counts in such a seriously competitive season which could see McLaren struggle at the final round in Brazil. But, for the moment, the Ferrari engineers had no answers just when they needed them most.
Over in the interview room, Hamilton looked like a little boy lost in white as he sat between the bright red of the Ferrari drivers. Attempting to stir some controversy a journalist asked Raikkonen if it was tough, as world champion, to have to put in a lap that was two seconds slower in order to have his team-mate overtake. Raikkonen’s expression didn’t change. It never does. He stared unblinking and said he knew what Ferrari expected and, anyway, it made no difference to him. Nothing does.
Hamilton, when asked, said, if in the same position, he and Kovalainen would probably do the same thing. Quite right too.
But would the FIA have remained as impassive as they did on this subject if it had been two McLarens apparently breaking the rule about team orders interfering with the outcome of the race? The answer, I hope, is that Ferrari did not issue any orders and Raikkonen made the move of his own volition in return for Massa having given up victory in Brazil last year so that Kimi could win the title.
But would McLaren be prepared to risk it? In the current climate of being afraid to raise their head above the parapet, I’m not so sure.
utter rubbish
hamilton won it and everything was well with his racing and i think thata what stuarts are after
absolute rubbish Maurice
with all respect to you, i have to say if there is nothing left to write about then just simply do not write anything at all
.. and yes hamilton is like a little boy
regardless of what any of you say he is lost somewhere
good driver with a great car-perfect momentum i should say!!!
Nice one. You nailed it mate.
Processional but professional – at least, for Hamilton.
I think it is good that mclaren are saving all their celebrations until Lewis has the title, I can’t wait to see their reaction. Any fan of Lewis will be able to survive the lack of celebrations, they will come soon enough.
I don’t blame Mclaren one bit for being cautious – The FIA have been ridiculous this season, no consistency whatsoever… Although I don’t believe it is the case it is easy to see why so many people believe the FIA are in Ferrari’s pocket!!
Slowly but surely the FIA are ruining F1… What a terrible shame
well done ham,
finaly a win without corruptions lol
aaron, do you not consider team orders (by a diiferent name) to be a corruption?
Massa did not deserve to come 2nd.
remember what happened last year? gearbox failure anyone?
and its massas best track (arguably)
lets see a repeat of last year!
@Becky.
Team orders are not corruption, they are natural.
massa was nowhere today, felt really sorry for raikkonen having to slow down so much for the struggling massa to pass.
http://wot.motortrend.com /6294574/miscellaneous/c hinese-farming-brothers-b uild-f1-car-from-scavenge d-junk/index.html
suitably on topic…
2 chinese brothers built a formula 1 car from scraps. it took 20 yrs, and hits 100mph.
A few more years of experiance and Hamilton will be up with the ledgerendry drivers.
Sennara, Porost, Skumaker, all ledgerendry drivvers.
That Ferrari team is a bunch of cheaters!! They knew that they broke the regulations when they made Messa pass Kimi. Why didn’t Ferrari get a penalty for that crap? This FIA makes me sick!!!
Ferrari didn’t make Kimi let massa past, Kimi did it for the team which most drivers would do.
Earlier this year kovalainen did it to hamilton so I don’t think there should be any conterversy over that
Solid race from hamilton, ferrari’s pace looking slow – same as alonso in the r28
great race today, cant wait till the race in brazil. hamilton great as ever and will hopefully be the world champion.
HAMILTON 2 WIN
Ok, the Ferrari team are not cheaters.
They did what they did, but at least make it more believable than that gezz. I don’t know why the hell the FIA brought that rule into play this year. It’s a bunch of crap!
Hmmm, sportsmanship in F1 is very funny (not in a good way). You can tell by the body language of the drivers that they don’t like each other. A great example, is this past race when Hammy won. Look at Messa’s short self and Kimi. They didn’t even want to go next to him. What is it? What are they afraid of? Some of Hammy’s black blood line might kill you? These F1 drivers and much snobbier than I though they were. Hmmm, ohh well maybe they inhaled too much carbon fiber from the brakes.
to RWF
problem is with hamilton
i mean it is not one person out there who does not like him
but hey you can not be liked by everyone
thats the world we live in
and it is hamiltons talking about big balls etc thats getting him now
good driver he is
but a stupid person just might as well
it was the most unhappy podium of the year. It was like somebody had died.
F1 Sport, one of the most sensible things i’ve heard. Kimi said it was in the best interests of the team but he’d have done it regardless. It would have been unfair to penalize ferrari as mclaren as you say did it earlier.
I can’t believe I’m agreeing with edgars & jenson button to win, but I am.
Ok i dont know where the ideas list is but Why havent you guys taken the veyron on the track see wat it does
buggati – because they don’t trust the Stig to drive it. Can’t imagine why… unless they’re not exactly honest about something about the car.
…and by “they” I mean Bugatti, not TG.
Could someone please remind me of the race in which Kovalainen gave his position to Hamilton. I do not remember it.
On a side note, I think Kubica did well to get 6th in a car he was really struggling in during qualifying and Jenson Button had a shocking race.
KIMI is the best driver! bias is only felt by losers…
To:Bones
Yeah, I am trying to figure what race Kovalainen gave his position to Hammy. Looking at the points standing. Most of time in all the races Hammy is no where near Kovalainen this year.
So I don’t know how they did the same as Ferrari in China. Hmmm.
I too went through the standings and nothing really popped out at me, maybe it was early on in the race?
An answer by anyone would be greatly appreciated.
I cannot believe how edgars claimed what is being said here is rubbish when his own words are rubbish.
It is very evident here who likes who and like wise. If you do not like Hamilton, then tell us something right about your opinion.
Do go and judge every other drivers based on your own perception, how did you know exactly that no drivers in current F1 doesn’t like him?
When you don’t like him does not mean all the other drivers feel the same, stop being a “little boy”, grow up and make some mature comments.
Maybe the drivers who doesn’t like him doesn’t like competition in the race, they cannot accept the fact that they do not drive competitively and there is some young and very compassionate drive out there who is hungry for the championship title.
No one is in the right position to label a driver in the field with “dangerous driving”, you are either right or you are wrong. You are wrong if you smash your car into someone, you are not wrong when you drive competitively trying to steal whatever opportunities exists at the time.
That is why it’s called ‘Racing’, you race to take on the title, you don’t ‘Drive’ to take on the title. If Hamilton’s driving attitude is not accepted, then this is not “motor racing” after all.
Hamilton has no fear when he races, he doesn’t think of the consequences if he made the wrong move, he just want to take on every inch, every opportunity of every second he possible could to be a champion, it’s in his blood.
While the rest, they are just pussies on the track who is too scared to challenge themselves to the peak, they drive under the radar just to be save, that is not racing.
‘Lewis Fan Club????’
You’re talking shite mate! Kubica and Massa are both quite friendly with Hamilton by all counts.. Now i’m not Hamilton’s biggest fan but people like you have to try to find bad things to say about him and I don’t understand why?!?!
Senna, Prost, Mansell, Schumacher, Piquet were all extremely aggressive behind the wheel and they ALL had alot of enemies in the paddock – Now they’re not in the picture everybody forgets this and tries making out Hamilton is first ever driver to be deemed too aggressive and arrogant – Bollocks! Being aggressive and arrogant is the only way to become a legendary driver – You need aggression to win the most races and arrogance for self belief. Drivers who win a world championship without these traits tend not to be successful for too long!
Look back through history and prove me wrong or shut the f*ck up.
Someone mentioned Senna, Prost, Shumi (I would add Lauda, Mansel, Damon, Mika…)…and I agree they are GREAT, true champions, but I haven’t seen their father in the pit or writing how great they are on the blog.
They had integrity, manners and code of honour.
I have to add that all of those drivers had bad their moments (some more then the others) but they did not judge other drivers balls and their size.
Not really the most exicting race, to say the least.
But an extremely good ride from Hamilton – that’s for sure. Good for him. Mature, didn’t freak out; worthy of the title if you ask me.
Massa and (my favorite) Kimi? Hm; Kimi did the right thing there, weither it was his own decision or team orders wtf.
Does he care? Did that hurt? Of course! Will he ever show that? By God no.
(Does he need to? With a base salary of 10 million EURO’s???)
To use the words of Eddy Irvine: “Would you mind being second?”, after showing a journalist his castle/mansion, boat, 2 jetski’s & his collection of cars.
Let’s just say Kimi’s proven a good team mate. Otherwise I believe he would’ve nailed Hamilton. For sure. End of story.
To weak a season for him this year so, no matter how big a fan I am: he’s not worth of the title this year. To many mistakes and the unrealiability played also it’s part. But just wait ‘till next year: he’ll be racing with an incredible fire – and yes, in his blood ice shoots through his veins. So don’t expect – ever- to see emotion of discontent or enthousiasm or whatever on his face. He’s a racepilot, not a housewife. And doesn’t give a sh*t what people think.
Boring race really. And nothing to say more on it that this.
So my findings for the 2008 season?
What else to say? My oppionion on Heikki changed during the season. No doubt he’s a likeable character, but give that g*ddamn second mclaren seat to some real supertalent: the Germans (Nico Rosberg or Sebastian Vettel) It’s not that Heikki is not talented, it’s just that there’s to many other bigger talents then him who deserve that seat.
Owyea another thing Nelson Piquet Jr. I’m sorry – get him out of F1 for a year or two. He to is taking the place from other, bigger talents.
And speaking of Renault drivers: ok the cars are improved, a lot, but when’s he gonna get a car the freakin’ measures up to his talent. And no, not a Ferrari. That’s for Kimi. It’s not that I don’t like Alonso, but you gotta admid he brings color to the sport with his not-so-humble attitude and controversial quotes
And Honda better be good next year (not that I doubt that, we’ll see the full Ross Brawn effect) But god I can’t wait for Jenson to be in the upper regions of the grid again.
…and If I were BMW I’d better not ditch Heidfeld OR Kubica… two great quality drivers (I don’t know what got into nick heidfeld at the beginning of the season but ya, he re-found he’s pace. I’d keep them as close and as long as possible.
Milos, Maurice Hamilton is not Lewis’ dad. Look at this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/five live/presenters/hamilton_ biog.shtml
comment 12 nice almost as good as the british guy that took 5 years to perfect his 175mph atleast and 0-60 in low too below 3 seconds. but I think he should turbo charge and give it a Chevy v8 with turbos for 600-700hp and bigger semi slick tires and i’d add bigger brakes
BUT it’s still pretty fast and worth a look(even without my proposed mods)
http://www.furorecars.co. uk/
Milos said :
Someone mentioned Senna, Prost, Shumi (I would add Lauda, Mansel, Damon, Mika…)…and I agree they are GREAT, true champions, but I haven’t seen their father in the pit or writing how great they are on the blog.
—-
Lol!.. They don’t blog before.. because blog only exist few years back. :p . It’s hardly seen before 2000 :p
lewis is very very good .mandaro juara tahun iki.
to Tocam..
it is clear when you see other drivers reactions on the podium that shows whats what, nevermaind what media work so hard at..
as for my own s..t it is very evident that i do not like hamilton as a sportsman which he is not, because he is to learn how to lose, and as for now he does not how…
i do favour kimi because he is close enough from where i am from, however i live in ireland for quite some time so i come across british media stuff a lot, and my god you just love hamilton so much, and it is not clear to me why, as he has been given all the opportunities to become such a driver by mclaren, thus financially no problem there…
when you read stuff about other drivers and how they have started with no financial support even in their late days of racing it becomes clear why hamilton is disliked, you call it greed or whatever, but he never will know how hard it is for some people out there to achieve what they have in their lives by themselves in formula 1. and that is the gap between him and others and why he is not a true sportsman in my opinion, and all his talking about being the best etc.
just kubica for example? kimi? kovy? etc..
those are real cool people that i prefer to arrogance and selfishness.
as i said-good driver he is, but missing something somewhere, that spark of a true champion.
Hamilton is young.
Hamilton is inexperienced (comparatively).
Hamilton is an aggresive driver.
Hamilton does not have the best car.
Hamilton is a true racing car driver.
Hamilton will be a world champion one day.
Hamilton will become a legendary driver.
Best of all, Hamilton is British. End of.
I loved it how both Lewis and Kimi talked (reasonably) freely about letting Felipe past, but when asked, Felipe said he was happy about his middle-a-stint where he was “racing” Kimi and “managed to get past”… hilarious, and from the way Kimi smiled as he took a sip of his water, I think he thought it was pretty funny too
It’s yet another of those situations we shall never know. Would Kimi really have given the place to Massa if Ferrari had nothing to do with it? I’d say it’s almost certain he wouldn’t have. So it’s pretty apparent that Kimi has been issued team order at some point before or during the race.
Whether you agree with it or not, there are rules in Formula 1 to prevent such an occurrence. So the question is why is everyone acting like it’s routine? I remember how outraged Ferrari fans at Spa were claiming that “rules are rules, and cannot be broken”. You can’t have it both ways.
I have to apologize to mr Hamilton, it was an honest mistake.
Hence, I still thing Louis’ father is over exposed.
I can’t remember the exact race but… I think hamilton had pitted kovalainen had not, hamilton was still faster an needed to drive as fast as possible before the ferrari’s entered he was driving faster than kovalainen but not enough to overtake him, so kova let him past
was it just me that was loving the commentary? i seem to remember a certain Ted Kravitz saying:
“So did Kovalainen. No – the other one. What’s his name? Raikkonen. That’s it”
i’m not alone, am i?
F1 Sport said…
I can’t remember the exact race but… I think hamilton had pitted kovalainen had not, hamilton was still faster an needed to drive as fast as possible before the ferrari’s entered he was driving faster than kovalainen but not enough to overtake him, so kova let him past
there was one other, where pit stops weren’t involved. kovalainen gave up the spot, and hamilton was free to gain several more spots.
i have have no problem with team orders at all. i think it’s a foolish rule, and an illogical way to manage the competition.
F1 Sport,Amanda,the race was Germany this season,when Heikki let Lewis through,Lewis went on to win from Piquet Jr and Massa.
F1 Yankee,the race F1 Sport and Amanda refer to and the one to which you refer are one and the same,and a pit stop was involved,McLaren having left Lewis out during the safety car period in the belief that the safety car would come in sooner than it did,and he would have had ample time to build up a sufficient lead to pit and rejoin ahead of the pack.
Interestingly,in that case,when listening to McLaren pit-car interaction immediately beforehand,no-one told Heikki to move over,or even the usual,”You know what to do.”,he simply moved over because he was holding up his team-mates race.
I honestly cannot see Kimi doing so of his own accord,especially since he was faster than Massa at that point.
However…I think it is mostly the lack of transparency in Ferrari’s tactics that cause us to believe they have the F.I.A working for them.Surely no-one could be crying foul if Ferrari released their pit-car interctons?