Well, chaps (and lassies), I've had time to look at the race again in a somewhat less excited frame of mind. And I have to say I am puzzled, indeed, by Lewis's sudden swerving and braking --and even more by the agonizingly slow excursion off the course and into the run off. The coverage I taped (Speed TV) changes cameras in the middle of this incident so even watching it in slo-mo is hardly conclusive. It is easy to see that Lewis slowed enough in turn one (probably because of Raikkonen tucking in behind Felipe) for Fernando to make a good run on him, which he did in clear and fair fashion.
But once Alonso got in front, both McLarens were in the middle of the racing line and both weaved a little one way and then the other. It looks to me like supporters of Alonso will say he had to take the line he did and Lewis just lost it, but I think, had the cars been reversed, the general opinion on this discussion group would have been that Big Headed Lewis blocked Fernando, forcing him to lock up his breaks!
So this is one of those controversies I suspect we'll soon just have to get used to!
And while we're on that topic, [never ending and all contending versions of events] can you imagine the outrage if Alonso's car had suffered that mystery slowing down that Lewis did??!!
As to Alonso's so called less than inspired performance, I can't believe that he just gave up. After all, if he had passed Kimi, given Lewis's predicament, he'd have at least TIED him for points, losing only because Kimi would have more firsts. And had he been able to pass Kimi, we KNOW he'd have eaten little Felipe alive! So he couldn't have given up or been slowed by a Pout as one of his detractors suggested.
No. It must have been a mistake in the McLaren set-up. As we saw on Saturday, the four cars were only separated by a whisker and for most of the week end the Macs were faster in the straight line than the red cars. Since it was so hot on Sunday, I can only guess that Ferrari guessed right on the set up and McLaren was just a shade off.
I've not read the race reports yet, so I don't know what Hamilton had to say about his troubles, but no one can say they have ever seen (or ever likely WILL see!) a rookie season anything like his! This is a brilliant driver with a front running team and it won't be long before he takes the WDC.
If in fact Alonso leaves (which Ron Dennis would be mad not to make happen!) then McLaren can begin to race like Ferrari and Renault and BMW/Sauber and every other contending Manufacturer, that is with a TEAM STRATEGY (no team orders, of course
), one that insures maximum points and supports the driver with the most points in the WDC. Ferrari never made any secret of this once Felipe had been eliminated; nor does it smack of bad sportsmanship. Felipe, of course, like little Reubens, tries to pretend he's on the same level as Fernando, Kimi and Lewis. Funny he somehow lacks the points.
It's all very well to chatter on about letting your drivers race one another and insuring they get fair treatment. But you tell the stockholders why you lost both the Manufacturers' AND the WDC to a disorganized and uncharacteristically vulnerable Fiat subsidary!
Next year will be SO MUCH Harder. There will be a fast Renault (with a two time WDC leading the team again!) and an even faster BMW/Sauber; who knows, maybe even Toyota will finally get serious. And there will be the reigning WDC in another fast red car with his side-kick and back up from Brazil there to deal with challengers. What I'm saying is you don't get many chances to take the WDC and the manufacturer's cup, so you had better make the most of it when you do. McLaren managed to make the least.
And Honda??? I don't know what to think. I'd cheer if they brought Jense to McLaren just so he'd have a chance to drive a race car, but with his bad luck (which makes Kimi's look like a mild cold!!), I think he'd probably inherit a McLaren like last year's model!!
I feel very good about the apparent return of the Williams team; I hope they move into the top five next year.
And now to close this very long post with some historical perspective:
In 2004 WDC Michael Schumacher [Ferrari] won 13 of the 18 races; in 2005 Fernando [Renault] won 7 and Kimi [McLaren] won 6 of the 17 races (Michael "won" one, but that doesn't count since it was the Indianapolis parade lapping event); in 2006, Fernando [Renault] won 8 and Michael Schumacher [Ferrari] won 7 of 17 races and this year, best one yet in my book: Kimi [Ferrari] won 6, Lewis and Fernando [McLaren] 4 each and Felipe won 3 of 17 races.
The closeness of the points race is, of course, in the best interests of FIA to keep their ratings up. But it is still ridiculous to have a points system that would allow someone with four wins to take the title from someone with six. If instead of 10 points for a win and 8 for a second, FIA awarded 20 for a win and 8 for a second I believe they would go a long way to fixing the so-called 'overtaking' problem!!
Thanks again to you all and
to Jay Vee and Snowy; better luck next year!
Jim Watt
), one that insures maximum points and supports the driver with the most points in the WDC. Ferrari never made any secret of this once Felipe had been eliminated; nor does it smack of bad sportsmanship. Felipe, of course, like little Reubens, tries to pretend he's on the same level as Fernando, Kimi and Lewis. Funny he somehow lacks the points.