The Iceman Taketh

Alls I can say is what a race!

It all seemed set for either McLaren to take the title and Kimi pops up and takes the title by a point from the McLaren pair. The most unlikely of scenarios to have played out in a race that was edge of the seat stuff from start to finish.

So the question rages on did the right man win the title. Well the points total tells you that it was for any naysayers. Alonso didn’t seem at the races at all and Hamilton received the mechanical jinx we have seen become synonymous with McLaren over the past few years. His tactics for the first lap were strange given his position. Like in China he raced for position and wasn’t thinking of the championship. He was lucky these days there are more run-off areas than gravel traps if a car runs off. His charge through the field was good to watch, but hardly groundbreaking.

His change from a two to a three stop didn’t work. I don’t agree with Ron Dennis in his statement that they gained 10 seconds from it. He was running on the skirts of the top 10 on his first stop. Why the decision to go onto a three stop was a little baffling. Had it worked, it would’ve rated with the times that Schumacher had the ability to make an extra stop turn into a great result.

Personally I’m not a fan of the whole ‘give way to the championship leader barging through’ that many of the lower ends of the grid showed. In fairness, only the BMW’s looked like they came to race and not give way, which is the way it should be. Kubica not showing any mercy to Alonso, albeit on a different strategy was good to see. Hamilton’s overtaking move on Rubens, well it was risky. Like Italy though I reckon he would’ve been in the wrong had the Honda driver turned in on him. He did come from too far back and was lucky that a Rubens sighted him.

Kimi Raikkonen – World Champion. It’s been long overdue for the Finn who from the moment he stepped into a Formula One car has shown brilliance behind the wheel. After a first half of the season struggle he really rebounded well. Of course we have to wait for the courts to decide if it will stand over the appeal. After all the talk of ending the championship on the track the fans once more have to wait for a court to decide how things end up. It is shambolic that we are in that situation. While Alonso’s ‘I’d be ashamed if the championship was won in this way’ comments but fair juice to Hamilton coming out to say he wouldn’t want to win the title by appeal. He is a true racer and without a shadow of a doubt a future world champion.

Another season done, well, not officially till the McLaren appeal is heard. We’ve had a great season of racing mashed with ugly politics. Opinions over the year are likely to be the talking point over many a drinking session in pubs around the world.

Good, bad or indifferent the 2007 season will be one long remembered.