Fuji, Japanese Grand Prix 2007

[Brett]

I managed to fall asleep during the race. The whole, bunches and bunches, of laps under the safety car did it to me, especially since Ferrari were at the back of the pack and their chances were not looking very good to do anything in the race. I did wake up at the end of the race and see Hamilton had won it though, but had no clue how it happened. I plan on watching the replay later today.

I do not really understand why they would email the teams on something as important as the extreme wets either. Would it not just be easier to see a person to each team's box along the pit lane and tell them quickly?

And on the topic of gibberish talking at the press conferences, I actually think Kimi has improved a whole lot since last year. His English is much clearer and I can actually now understand what he is saying, unlike last year where I could hear none of it. It seems he has worked on it.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

If you knew a bit about things the world would be free of comments like this. There was nothing to be known, there is not such a rule that prevents starting into a full wet race with intermediate tyres. The judges apologized that for Ferrari after the race but it was a bit late at that point. Surprise surprise, Hamilton cruised unopposed into a free victory thanks to this small mistake...

You have quite some nerve to talk about bending the rules while flying the McLaren flag. To my understanding trying to bend, not even fully break, the rules (always as you say, to me once in a season isn't always), getting caught and being stopped in time is OK. Breaking the rules, getting caught and still winning the World Championship is not. 👎

+REP, well said!

Hamilton now needs to just win in China to take the title

no he just needs to finish in front of alonso.

No, actually all he needs to do is finish right behind Alonso in China and assuming Alonso doesn't win, then the championship is Hamilton’s.

If Alonso happens to win in China, and Hamilton finishes right behind him, then all Hamilton needs to do is either score a single point in Brazil or for Alonso not to win.

In a nut shell, Alonso needs to beat Hamilton by an average of 6 points for the next two races which is extremely unlikely. The only race this season where Alonso gained more than 2 points over Hamilton was the European GP. I don't expect we will see anything like that result for the final two races of the season.

However, a DNF by Hamilton and a victory by Alonso next week would certainly make things very exciting for the final race in Brazil, because by virtue of the tie-breaking F1 rules, Alonso would win the championship by then winning in Brazil even if Hamilton finishes 2nd, as Alonso would have more wins... but I wouldn't count on that scenario to play out. I suspect the 2007 Driver's *Championship will be officially decided next week... although some might argue it was decided when McLaren wasn't penalized any driver's points.

* See post by Greycap for explanation

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

No, actually all he needs to do is finish right behind Alonso in China and assuming Alonso doesn't win, then the championship is Hamilton’s.

no he wont.

if Alonso won the next 2 races and Hamilton finished 2nd in China and had a DNF in Brazil they would be equal on points but Alonso would win it as he would have 6 race wins and Hamilton had 4 (iirc).

so if Hamilton is to win it in China he has to finish in front of Alonso.

I do not really understand why they would email the teams on something as important as the extreme wets either. Would it not just be easier to see a person to each team's box along the pit lane and tell them quickly?

because a team could simple claim they werent told,where as with an email you have proof you sent it and they know and at what time they were told so they cant claim they were told too late.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

no he wont.

Yes he will. read my exact quote you included in your post.

so if Hamilton is to win it in China he has to finish in front of Alonso.

ONLY if Alonso wins... which is exactly what I posted... so what exactly are you disagreeing with?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

Yes he will. read my exact quote you included in your post.

you edited it after i posted my reply.

In the quote you had in your reply it was about Hamilton winning it in China,not in Brazil.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

you edited it after i posted my reply.

How can I edit what is IN YOUR POST! I said read the quote from me that you included IN YOUR POST.

Geez.

If you really can't see it I'll quote it for you, and bold the part you so obviously keep ignoring... despite the fact that you included it in your post.

No, actually all he needs to do is finish right behind Alonso in China and assuming Alonso doesn't win, then the championship is Hamilton’s.

no he wont.

So again... what exactly are you disagreeing with?

Or are you saying that assuming Alonso DOESN'T win or come in second in China, Hamilton wont win the championship by finishing right behind Alonso? If you are, then you are dead wrong. if you are not, then you are agreeing with exactly what I said, and that Hamilton WONT have to beat Alonso in China to win the championship.

Clear now?

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

How can I edit what is IN YOUR POST! I said read the quote from me that you included IN YOUR POST.

Geez.

If you really can't see it I'll quote it for you, and bold the part you so obviously keep ignoring... despite the fact that you included it in your post.



So again... what exactly are you disagreeing with?

Or are you saying that assuming Alonso DOESN'T win in China, Hamilton wont win the championship by finishing right behind Alonso? If you are, then you are dead wrong. if you are not, then you are agreeing with exactly what I said, and that Hamilton WONT have to beat Alonso in China to win the championship.

Clear now?

i see what you mean now sorry lack of sleep and all

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Now to be accurate, Alonso would still have a shot at winning if he came in 2nd and Hamilton came in 3rd next week, but again, Alonso would still have to win in Brazil, and Hamilton would have to finish in 9th or worse for him to then win the championship.

Just for the drama, I'd love to see the "official" driver's championship be decided by a close competitive race in Brazil, and to get that, Alonso really needs a win next week and for Hamilton to score little or no points at all, and I seriously doubt this will be the case.

It's been a crazy year for F1, and I suspect the drama isn't over quite yet, especially the off-track drama.

 

[kamelin-nahka]

What an exciting race! the first 30 laps was horrible i think. Ferrari´s drivers was 10+ places and watching safetycar was boring. I almoust ended watching that but i still keep looking for somethink good..

And 20-30 last laps was what i just looking for! kimi keep getting better places and massa too. And kovalainen drived brilliantly! The hole race goed exacly like Renault wanted to go.

2-3 places and 5-6 (or was it 4-5?) places fight was unbelievable. Kovalainen drive like it should to do and get keeped räikkönen behind him. This was a historially moment becouse 2 finns was in top3. And i like it so..

Only thing what im not happy about is that hamilton was in 1 place I think he gonna win the championchip really now.. But have to say that he drived pretty well. No big mistakes and do what he have to do.

 

[Alex.]

jeez holden your not one to back down in an argument

 

[Danny]

Spyker have a point

EDIT: avatar changed to suit Danny's preferences

Thanks Alex.

We wuz robbed.
Time for an angry haiku!

Vitantonio,
please sir, can you win next time
For your Liuzzites.

 

[Famine]

"It's kids. Kids who don't know what they're doing and 🤬 it all up."

No, Mark. Say what you really mean, live on air at kid'o'clock in the morning...


For the life of me I don't know how Massa's finishing position has been allowed to stand. He's been playing Gran Turismo again - that's how most GTers take the last uphill section...

 

[Lee]

No, Mark. Say what you really mean, live on air at kid'o'clock in the morning...

Well, ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.

 

[Holdenhsvgtsr]

No, Mark. Say what you really mean, live on air at kid'o'clock in the morning...

you thought that was bad you should here what they say during the V8 Supercars

 

[Metar]

That race kept me on my toes all the way to the finishline.

Some fantastic drives, some terribly bad luck, some mixes of the former two. Some politics thrown in for good measure, as well.

 

[Alex.]

Thanks Alex.

We wuz robbed.
Time for an angry haiku!

Vitantonio,
please sir, can you win next time
For your Liuzzites.

you weren't robbed, it was a fair decision

Not that I have seen it

I'm happy for spyker

 

[Roo]

It only took me about 5 hours, but I finally made it to the end of the race. And it was well worth it.

I felt a bit bad for Webber, but I felt terrible for Vettel. A great weekend - he led the grand prix in a Toro Rosso, for crying out loud - all for it too end with a moment's loss of concentration. Could've happened to anyone.

Good stuff Kovalainen, getting a podium. Kubica and Massa - more like that please. I'm happy for Sutil getting a point. And Hamilton? Jolly good.

 

[Alex.]

I agree with your statement fully, Roo. As the commentators were saying it was like Dijon all over again. Its good to see 2 drivers give their all and more for an extra point or two.
If F1 was more like that...If only...


proper racing

Feel so bad for vettel

 

[Danny]

you weren't robbed, it was a fair decision

Not that I have seen it

I'm happy for spyker

No, I really must insist that we were robbed.

If my source (Metar) is correct (and he always is) then Liuzzi overtook under safety car when Sutil ran very wide and off track.

<- Oh, and booya.

 

[Only_in_f1]

The last lap was great, both Ferrari drivers were going for it.

 

[Alex.]

REVENGE DANNY 👍

 

[Danny]

someone didnt tell liuzzi what they were talking about, seems he's always missing the point

Oh, you 🤬.

Don't think I didn't see that, you horrible little editer!

 

[Alex.]

Location location location

 

[Only_in_f1]

OK OK Liuzzites and Sutilians. Calm your war of words/avatars.

....

Who's going to win WDC. Will Hami keep his lead?

 

[GT4 genius]

It was really unlucky for sutil, he drove a brilliant race in Belgium and now here, i doubt he will be with sypker for much longer, he's the next Massa!!

As for Alonso, it looked like a chidlish mistake. His just deserve IMO. On friday i raced on tha track in GT4 and thought that a few of the less experienced people would go off there, didnt expect it would be him.

Hamilton fully deserves the title now after that, just brilliant, i dont think he made one big mistake.

And is it just me or did Ron Dennis almost smile when he seen Alonso crash, he definitly wasnt annoyed!

 

[Roo]

As for Alonso, it looked like a chidlish mistake. His just deserve IMO.

His mistake, certainly. But I wouldn't call a 120mph+ mistake into a wall in the pouring rain "childish" or "deserved." It's not like he took anyone with him.

 

[Greycap]

And is it just me or did Ron Dennis almost smile when he seen Alonso crash, he definitly wasnt annoyed!

It certainly isn't just you, I was thinking about the same thing. Alonso is out of the way now, his golden boy Hamilton can cruise to the championship. I bet he would have pulled off a Mr Burns style "excellent" if the cameras hadn't been there. So much for the equal drivers of McLaren, even the boss favours one of them.

 

[Stevisiov]

. I bet he would have pulled off a Mr Burns style "excellent" if the cameras hadn't been there. So much for the equal drivers of McLaren, even the boss favours one of them.

Can you blame him?

 

[Greycap]

For being happy that one of his drivers has just crashed out of the race in a pretty nasty looking crash? Hell yes!

For favouring one of his drivers? When that particular driver has been praised over a double world champion, who has been practically ignored and whose information he has been using? Give it a good guess.

 

[KSaiyu]

Should have been cancelled or postponed. It's fine to say it was a good race now (the last lap in particular was a real highlight), but with the standing water you could have easily had a random big crash.

Shame for Alonso, great drive by Hamilton.