Fiji Madness

Fiji is best known in motorsport circles for the climax of the 1976 F1 title hunt where torrential rain saw Lauda pull out of the race and James Hunt soldiering on to do enough to win the title. The 2007 Fiji race may very well be looked upon as a similar turning point to where the title will end up.

Hamilton’s victory and Alonso’s no score puts the Brit in a fantastic position to wrap up the title in China at the weekend. Hamilton’s race was one of two half’s though. At times his wet weather running was fantastic in keeping it on the island. However his antics behind the safety car showed why he is still a rookie. ITV once more showed their discrediting bias at the start claiming the run up to the line as he tried to keep Alonso behind him as ‘gamesmanship’.

The hypocrite James Allen should remember his words two weeks ago where he had no issue in chastising Alonso for holding his line after the first corner at Spa. Tit for tat it was racing with two men fighting for the title. If only the commentators could see things through the same light would be something. Hamilton’s conduct at times behind the safety car was suspect though. I’m betting that it’s bound to be brought up. In those sorts of conditions his stop-start methods had danger screaming all over them.

The Ferrari tyre issue was unacceptable for a team that has always held the highest of standards. Allegedly they didn’t get the e-mails but how did the rest of the team is a bit suspect. Of course that didn’t stop James Allen insinuating that Ferrari was pushing the envelope on the rules. But like I’ve maintained before, anything that might dent the golden boy gets easy critique. Still, Ferrari’s tactics for the race were extremely poor and it’s not the first time this season that a poor race strategy has ruined Ferrari’s day. The fans of the red team must be licking their lips about the idea of Ross Brawn coming back next year.

After the race Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo came out and stated that Hamilton should thank Ferrari if he wins the title. It was a petty and unwarranted remark. Though that been said Hamilton had been quite mouthy at Monza and Spa about the whole issue so again it was a case of tit for tat. We don’t really need the sort of petty snide remarks that are more suited to brainless wannabe celebrities.

Props have to go to Heikki Kovalainen for a fantastic drive to Renaults for podium. Jenson Button was impressive without a front wing and only seemed to fade into oblivion after he put it back on. Honda should take note. A pity about poor Vettel who was having a great day till he ran into the back of his team-mate. Raikkonen at times showed his race craft with some fantastic overtaking moves in the wet. Oh if only Ferrari could get the race strategy right as original stated.

Congrats for Sutil and Spyker and their first point pending the Torro Rosso appeal. Since the B-Spec car has come Sutil finally has the platform to show skills. With Ralf leaving Toyota he is odds-on favourite for the drive. Probably only has newly crowned GP2 Champ Timo Glock as competition for it.

Sunday could and probably will see Hamilton crowned as champion. He needs to outscore Alonso by at least three points which is very likely to happen. On average Lewis has not lost more than at that amount over the season with his consistent runs. Despite my criticisms of McLaren and the shameful bias in the media towards Hamilton he is a deserving champion. Lewis has driving impeccably at times during the season and has taken to F1 like a duck to water. Even after all the scandals you can’t not praise him for his performances. Of course it means we have to put up with the Ryder, Blundell and Allen suck up show in overdrive but at least having Martin Brundle around means there is some sense of actual proper journalistic commentary offered on race days.