Today’s (un)surprising fact
It’s been announced today that Fernando Alonso and McLaren-Mercedes are to part company, two years before end of their contract. Apparently it’s a mutual decision based on the fact that Alonso was not a happy bunny for most of the season. Neither side will be liable for any financial penalties.
It’s not a shock that Alonso is moving on; everyone expected it after the comments that were made to the media before, during and after the Ferrari-McLaren spying scandal. Alonso, I think rightly, expected to be top-dog at McLaren for 2007, and he was rather unprepared for the Hamilton factor. Not only was this rookie being given at least equal and possibly better support by the team but he could also drive a lot better than anyone had any right to expect. As result of all the in-fighting and background shenanigans, Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari came in at the last minute and stole Alonso’s crown.
It’s expected that in a year or two, Alonso will be driving for Ferrari but no-one yet knows where he’ll be going for 2008. Wherever it is, he’s going to be hard-pressed to win back his Championship crown without a red or silver car underneath him.
It’s all about the maths
This weekend is the final race of the Formula One season. Rookie Lewis Hamilton leads the championship by four points from team-mate Fernando Alonso, and seven points from Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. All should be plain sailing, but with Lewis’ DNF in China a couple of weeks ago nerves are a little frayed.
Ideally, Lewis will keep it simple and win the race. That way he takes the championship - and becomes the youngest winner ever (a record he’ll take away from reigning champion Alonso), as well as the first driver to ever win the championship in his rookie season. But Alonso and Raikkonen are both determined to win as well, and both have been more consistent than Lewis recently.
So, it’s likely to come down to the maths; I can hear James Allen and Martin Brundle now as they try to keep on top of the points changes as the race progresses. Today, the official F1 site has posted details of who needs to finish where for the three possible outcomes to the championship, but I’m going to summarise them here.
For Kimi to win the championship
He must win the race, but also Alonso must finish no higher than third and Hamilton no higher than sixth. It’s asking a lot, but this is Formula One - and at Interlagos, which can be tricky - so anything could happen.
For Fernando to win the championship
He must win the race, but Hamilton must finish no higher than third. If that happens, it will not matter where Kimi finishes.
For Lewis to win the championship
Ideally he should make it easy and win. Failing that, he just has to finish in front of Alonso and Raikonnen. If he can’t do that, and Raikkonen wins, he needs to finish better than sixth. Alternatively, if Alonso wins Hamilton must come second. Save us all the tension, Lewis, and win the race.
Of course, both Fernando or Kimi could win the championship without winning the race (Fernando could go as low as fourth, but Kimi can only afford second), but that would rely on the other two contenders having DNF’s or finishing way down the order and if you are going to start factoring in all those connotations we could be here all night!
In the UK, race coverage starts on ITV1, Sunday 4pm - I know where I’m going to be! Come on Lewis!!
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