I suppose it was inevitable in a season like this that the outsider going into the race should emerge as champion. And for once, it is a result that pleases everyone; even the Hamilton supporters being happy that Kimi has at last won the title. In typical Raikkonen fashion, he did what was necessary, winning the race with a little help from Massa and allowing the other contenders to make their mistakes. Well done, Kimi, you are a worthy champion.
Kimi Raikkonen, World Champion at last!
Hamilton was gracious enough in defeat, admitting that it was through his own mistakes that he failed at the last. The obstinate gearbox that dropped him down the field may well have been a factor in his loss but the most costly error was the decision to press on in China with tires that had given up the struggle. And Alonso had only good things to say about Kimi, although he couldn't resist the odd dig at McLaren as well.
But this is F1, after all, and we couldn't possibly have a race that was free of controversy and decisions from the stewards. Does Bernie orchestrate these things to ensure maximum column inches in the days to come? Cool fuel was a new one, except that there was a precedent in the Brazilian GP of 1995. With the race result and the championship in doubt, then confirmed, and finally uncertain again after a McLaren appeal, we were treated to yet another embarrassing example of how contentious F1 has become.
There is no need for me to go into the details; in his usual efficient style, Keith Collantine has provided us with a full breakdown of the rule and the stewards' decision in his excellent F1 Fanatic blog. I would ask just one question: why does the sport have a rule that is, according to the Brazilian stewards, impossible to police in practice?
Once more we have proof that the rules have become too complex and nit-picking. This matter of cooling the fuel to fit more in the tank need never be an issue if the FIA would simply ban refueling. It has been a major cause of complaint over the years, being yet another reason for the lack of overtaking on the track (with drivers knowing that they can wait until the pitstops and make their passing move while the other guy sits in the pits); it is dangerous (as demonstrated by innumerable fuel spills and fires) and it creates this ridiculous complexity in the rules as teams seek to gain infinitesimal advantages through circumventing the most obscure recesses of the rulebook.
Would it not be more sensible to insist on cars that can actually go a whole race distance without stopping for fuel? The whole idea of refueling was originally introduced as a way to "spice up the show" but it has proved to be the exact opposite, resulting in disruption of races, confusion as to who is ahead of whom, and even more space for intervention by the stewards. Quite frankly, refueling spoils F1 as a spectacle and as a sport. It must go, along with many other unnecessary and complex sections of the rulebook.
I thought it was disappointing that McLaren decided to appeal against the decision of the stewards, although I understand how the team must feel after a season of being chastised and abused for every infraction of the rules imagined by the media and the governing body gone mad with lust for blood. Through it all, Ron Dennis has stood his ground as an honorable man and it is unfortunate that he weakened at the last and gave in to the temptation to hit back for a change.
Not that McLaren will get any change, of course. Kimi Raikkonen is champion and that will stand; rules are rules, except when they might affect the desired outcome of the championship - or so it seems. For the beginning of restitution for all that they have suffered, the team must look to the outcome of their suit against Ferrari in the Italian law courts for illegal use of documents in the WMSC hearing.
If I may return to the Interlagos race itself, however, I cannot resist pointing out something that may have been missed. Have a look at the list of fastest race laps. See that? Fifth fastest - Kazuki Nakajima!
This guy, who was described by the commentators before the race as not really up to F1, put in a faster lap than his team mate, Nico Rosberg, not to mention Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld. Okay, he did not qualify very well but that can happen to the best of drivers - just ask David Coulthard. But to put in a lap like that means he can't be entirely useless. He finished the race, too, in tenth spot.
I hope Nakajima gets the second Williams seat in 2008. He has done enough with the one chance he's been given to earn it and looks capable of being the best Japanese driver to date. And isn't that a much happier note to end on than all this nonsense about cool fuel and undecided championships?
Kimi Raikkonen, World Champion at last!
Hamilton was gracious enough in defeat, admitting that it was through his own mistakes that he failed at the last. The obstinate gearbox that dropped him down the field may well have been a factor in his loss but the most costly error was the decision to press on in China with tires that had given up the struggle. And Alonso had only good things to say about Kimi, although he couldn't resist the odd dig at McLaren as well.
But this is F1, after all, and we couldn't possibly have a race that was free of controversy and decisions from the stewards. Does Bernie orchestrate these things to ensure maximum column inches in the days to come? Cool fuel was a new one, except that there was a precedent in the Brazilian GP of 1995. With the race result and the championship in doubt, then confirmed, and finally uncertain again after a McLaren appeal, we were treated to yet another embarrassing example of how contentious F1 has become.
There is no need for me to go into the details; in his usual efficient style, Keith Collantine has provided us with a full breakdown of the rule and the stewards' decision in his excellent F1 Fanatic blog. I would ask just one question: why does the sport have a rule that is, according to the Brazilian stewards, impossible to police in practice?
Once more we have proof that the rules have become too complex and nit-picking. This matter of cooling the fuel to fit more in the tank need never be an issue if the FIA would simply ban refueling. It has been a major cause of complaint over the years, being yet another reason for the lack of overtaking on the track (with drivers knowing that they can wait until the pitstops and make their passing move while the other guy sits in the pits); it is dangerous (as demonstrated by innumerable fuel spills and fires) and it creates this ridiculous complexity in the rules as teams seek to gain infinitesimal advantages through circumventing the most obscure recesses of the rulebook.
Would it not be more sensible to insist on cars that can actually go a whole race distance without stopping for fuel? The whole idea of refueling was originally introduced as a way to "spice up the show" but it has proved to be the exact opposite, resulting in disruption of races, confusion as to who is ahead of whom, and even more space for intervention by the stewards. Quite frankly, refueling spoils F1 as a spectacle and as a sport. It must go, along with many other unnecessary and complex sections of the rulebook.
I thought it was disappointing that McLaren decided to appeal against the decision of the stewards, although I understand how the team must feel after a season of being chastised and abused for every infraction of the rules imagined by the media and the governing body gone mad with lust for blood. Through it all, Ron Dennis has stood his ground as an honorable man and it is unfortunate that he weakened at the last and gave in to the temptation to hit back for a change.
Not that McLaren will get any change, of course. Kimi Raikkonen is champion and that will stand; rules are rules, except when they might affect the desired outcome of the championship - or so it seems. For the beginning of restitution for all that they have suffered, the team must look to the outcome of their suit against Ferrari in the Italian law courts for illegal use of documents in the WMSC hearing.
If I may return to the Interlagos race itself, however, I cannot resist pointing out something that may have been missed. Have a look at the list of fastest race laps. See that? Fifth fastest - Kazuki Nakajima!
This guy, who was described by the commentators before the race as not really up to F1, put in a faster lap than his team mate, Nico Rosberg, not to mention Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld. Okay, he did not qualify very well but that can happen to the best of drivers - just ask David Coulthard. But to put in a lap like that means he can't be entirely useless. He finished the race, too, in tenth spot.
I hope Nakajima gets the second Williams seat in 2008. He has done enough with the one chance he's been given to earn it and looks capable of being the best Japanese driver to date. And isn't that a much happier note to end on than all this nonsense about cool fuel and undecided championships?