279 replies to this topic

[nigel red5]

Well that was interesting!

Lewis Hamilton survives an attack by Robert Kubica, sees off his teammate Fernando Alonso & comes through to win the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway.

The race started under the rule of the Safety Car and for a time we wondered if we would see any racing at all. After a long period Charlie Whiting decided that conditions were condusive to racing and let them off the leash - and it was action all the way.

Fernando Alonso. Crashes deep into the race, and is his world title about to slip through his fingers and into the lap of the young pretender?

Mark Webber & Sebastian Vettel. What a shame. I feel deeply sorry for both of them. Mark Webber with a stunning drive, and once again fate deals him a cruel blow. For Vettel, he really rode a rollercoaster today. Superb drive, but then the horror of committing a truly basic error. He left the garage and went into the STR motorhome completely distraught and in tears. Very unfortunate for the Red Bull family today.

Result from Fuji speedway....

Pos  Driver		Team					  Time

 1.  Hamilton	  McLaren-Mercedes	 (B)  2h00:34.759

 2.  Kovalainen	Renault			  (B)  +	 8.377

 3.  Raikkonen	 Ferrari			  (B)  +	 9.478

 4.  Coulthard	 Red Bull-Renault	 (B)  +	20.297

 5.  Fisichella	Renault			  (B)  +	38.864

 6.  Massa		 Ferrari			  (B)  +	49.042

 7.  Kubica		BMW Sauber		   (B)  +	49.285

 8.  Liuzzi		Toro Rosso-Ferrari   (B)  +	55.622

 9.  Sutil		 Spyker-Ferrari	   (B)  +  1:00.129

10.  Barrichello   Honda				(B)  +  1:28.342

11.  Button		Honda				(B)  +	 1 lap

12.  Yamamoto	  Spyker-Ferrari	   (B)  +	 1 lap

13.  Trulli		Toyota			   (B)  +	 1 lap

14.  Heidfeld	  BMW Sauber		   (B)  +	2 laps

15.  Sato		  Super Aguri-Honda	(B)  +	2 laps



Fastest lap: Hamilton, 1:28.193



Not classified/retirements:



Driver		Team					  On lap

R.Schumacher  Toyota			   (B)	56

Davidson	  Super Aguri-Honda	(B)	55

Rosberg	   Williams-Toyota	  (B)	50

Vettel		Spyker-Ferrari	   (B)	47

Webber		Red Bull-Renault	 (B)	47

Alonso		McLaren-Mercedes	 (B)	42

Wurz		  Williams-Toyota	  (B)	20

Far too much happened to detail right now, i would be typing for an hour. Over to the floor....tell us what you think about it.

[jokuvaan]

Fuji washing machine. Ferrari's initial tyre choise ruined their day.

[Teez]

Fantastic, error-free drive from Hamilton, so kudos to him. However, this guy doesn't just have a horseshoe up his ass, he's got the whole damn stable! :

[ensign14]

Dear God, please make it rain all the time at Grands Prix. Amen.

Hamilton - peerless. Forget the points, he is the real World Champ.

Raikkonen and Massa - had Ferrari not screwed them with iffy tyres where would they be? (And what penalty will Ferrari get for rulebreaking? Oh, wait, there will be a clarification.)

Kova - also brilliant.

Webber - I wonder if, unburdened by point counting, he would have won had he not been nerfed by an embryo behind the safety car.

Sutil - so so close to a point...

Wonder whether Button would have been podiuming had he not tried a too optimistic move on Heidfeld at the first corner...

And Massa/Kubica at the end...brilliant stuff. Dijonesque, as Brundle said.

[TheSaltire]

LH wins. What a great race...in some just awful conditions.

HK holds off KR...and FM and Kubica go at each other on the last lap.

SV goes from hero to...well...I think Webber summed it up best on ITV.

LH is now 12 points ahead with two races to go.

No McLaren rep on the podium.

[jdanton]

Massa has brass ones...

[Bloggsworth]

The driver who kept his head, didn't panic, won the race.

[RTX]

Alonso screwed up and the WC is basically over. Hard to be perfect year in year out. Thats racing.

Shame on the sport for simply being too scared of racing in the rain, when it was clearly fine to race from the start. The sport really has become spineless. Hopefully they learnt from this and stop listening to whining drivers from now on.

[qvn]

Great win from Lewis. Congratulations! You will soon become the champion in the rookie year.

Great drive from Vettel but stupid mistake from Webber caused him to retire. Sad!

Great drive from Heikki in well defending from Kimi's attacking.

[tania_walesuk]

Well McLaren have given Alonso the opportunity regardless of what he did to them but he hasn't got the bottle. Congrats on winning the championship Lewis
Lewis does the driving on the track whilst Alonso does the talking on the track(to the marshalls)

[djellison]

Just inspirational - astonishing performance from Lewis - they're all heroes today - but Lewis was faultless.

Doug

[president evil]

Great drive from Raikkonen and an easy win for Hamilton.

[Tuffy]

Ferrari bad loosers as ever, comment from Domenicali: "We are fuc*** up this race by FIA."


Hello its the teams decission to start on intermediates and not the FIA's, even if they get the info from Race control or not.

[Bruce]

Disappointing race - the safety car treatment at the start of the race was a farce.

This would seem to seal the WDC for Hamilton, which I find disappointing too - I just can't bring myself to cheer for that guy. His Dad'll be happy though, eh?

Vettel - Webber - terrible! I really thought that with Webbers speed and LH's need for caution that Webber would have had a chance to win. Sad.

ferrari - lucky to get the points they did - they didn't look at all good in the wet.

Alonso - made the worst of a bad situation - disappointing.

Driver of the race - HK... with LH a close second.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by qvn

Great drive from Vettel but stupid mistake from Webber caused him to retire. Sad!

Yeah, ****ing Webber reversing into Vettel under the safety car like that. Tosser.

[Just]

Great drive by Hamilton. Deserved winner.

Poor Webber. The unluckiest driver I have ever seen.

[TheSaltire]

Originally posted by Tuffy
Ferrari bad loosers as ever, comment from Domenicali: "We are fuc*** up this race by FIA."


Hello its the teams decission to start on intermediates and not the FIA's, even if they get the info from Race control or not.

I knew Ross Brawn...Ross Brawn was a friend of mine. Domenicali...you're no Ross Brawn.

[silver fan]

Originally posted by Bruce


ferrari - lucky to get the points they did - they didn't look at all good in the wet.

Well I thought all things said and done both Kimi & Massa were bloody brilliant despite their team.

[Knuckles]

According to RTL, there is an interview ban at Ferrari. Supposedly they are pissed because the FIA/stewards did not inform them about the "everyone on extreme wets" suggestion, and they were later forced to pit and change. The note that was passed around the pits does allegedly not have a Ferrari signature.

Interview Haug: "Well, Ferrari always complains when they don't win, we know that. If ten other knew it, then they could have, too. And anyway it was obvious that the weather was for extreme wets." (paraphrased)

[indian]

Lewis is 2007 WDC (almost there) and well-deserved too

[Johny Bravo]

Ferrari missing dearly Brawn's secret book of race tactics. Mainly chapter one: "If You have no clue what tyres to use, take your main competitor's choice. That way You won't get disadvantaged compared to him."

[Louis Mr. F1]

the Japanese trophy presenter looked confused when giving out the 2nd place trophy, he must be thinking, "there are 2 Finns who look the same on the podium, which one is which???"

[Tigershark]

McLaren; for once again having a fantastic car, the reliability has been flawless.

The FIA and the stewards; what's up with 20 laps of Safety Car after the start of the race; cancel it or race. If I want to watch Indy I will. Also, are we going to hand penalties to drivers who hurt Hamilton's feelings now too, that stuff is just silly. Look at all the other drivers bumping into each other left, right and centre that go unpunished.

The tracks; for having way, way too much tarmac next to the racing track.

Ferrari; even if it didn't make much difference in the end, starting on Intermediates with the whole track soaked like it fell into the Pacific isn't exactly a smart thing to do.

Honda and Toyota; it doesn't seem to matter what happens - they'll still find a way to maximize their disadvantage. Taking cars in for a stop after who knows how many laps of Safety Car...

[VresiBerba]

Originally posted by ensign14
Dear God, please make it rain all the time at Grands Prix. Amen.

The race was interesting, I give you that, but good It was not

[TheSaltire]

Originally posted by Louis Mr. F1
the Japanese trophy presenter looked confused when giving out the 2nd place trophy, he must be thinking, "there are 2 Finns who look the same on the podium, which one is which???"

Either that or he was supposed to do the Constructors trophy...and there wasn't one there.

[MortenF1]

When it finally got under way - a great race!

Big congrats to Hamilton for his performances throughout this weekend. Honestly I didn't think he could pull of a win in such conditions, or rather, be quicker than Alonso lap after lap in the wet.
A shame what happened to Alonso. I'm sure the damage to his car attributed to that off. Hamilton was lucky his light crash didn't cause damage to his car.

Kovalainen is the man of the race for me! What an effort! Second in a car that was visibly difficult yesterday. Evidently not too bad anyway though, but that was some drive.
The battle with his countryman was INTENSE, but he stayed cool! And the gap he pulled to Fisichella after the last SC pulled in

Strange race from Ferrari. I mean, missing to start their cars on the full wets... *shakes head*
Good job nevertheless from Räikkönen! That move on DC - wow! I think he really stunned DC when he rounded him like that. He was amazing in that corner but I am continually surprised why we don't see such lines in the wet more often. It's fairly common in karting for instance. (Yes I know Alonso raced outside the normal racing line in Hungary 06)

Very good job from DC too. He was very quick when he was right in the mix after the last SC.
Really good that he could notch up some points again, and especially when he did it wearing McRae's helmet as a gesture.
Webber - poor bastard. He was definately among the fastest today but became an innocent victim.

The fight between Massa and Kubica was fun! I can't decide if one of them did anything wrong, but it was a bit...

I'm really, really happy for Liuzzi! Great drive 'cause his car was a handful today, being set up for the dry.
Very well done to him, but it could've been so much more for Toro Rosso. to Vettel, he really didn't look like he was in control on a number of occasions today, even if he pulled off several fast laps.

Button.... Hmm. I didn't pay too much attention but he wasn't quick today at all was he, apart from early on when he had track position.

Rosberg was hoping for rain. Well, I think he would've been better off had it been dry.

Horrible weekend for Toyota.

[Knuckles]

RTL:

Vettel interview: "aquaplaning". I guess that#s just how it is, many others had the same and took someone off (Wurz) or could have (Alonso)

Alonso interview: Q: "We'd all like to know what you will do next near". FA: "Yeah, me too". (paraphrased)

[Louis Mr. F1]

even though I don't like Hamilton anymore, but he drove really well

Good Job Hekki

[inaki]

Lewis almost clinched it. Did a great job, basically faultless.

Love to see Kova's 1st podiums

Vettel rammed into Webber, I know was a mistake, but I tend to be indulgent with him. Webbo had anyway a great chance after a great effort.

Kubica and Massa fight at the end was just incredible, an instant classic.

It has been said but everybody was bitching and complaining at the beginning when everybody was behind the Safety Car, but it has been a wonderful GP. Rain is always good, it equalizes the field. In the dry nowadays every GP is a processional merry-go-round without any change most of times.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by race addicted

Button.... Hmm. I didn't pay too much attention but he wasn't quick today at all was he, apart from early on when he had track position.

Well, his first lap shenanigans gave Barrichello a three-quarter lap start on him, yet he was ahead by the last lap.

[pRy]

If I'm not mistaken, Lewis can now finish 4th in each of the next two races behind Alonso and the Ferraris (in any order) and he will still win the WC.

If Alonso wins the next two, Kimi 2nd, Massa 3rd, Lewis 4th, he will win the WC with 2 points.

[TheSaltire]

LH says he drove with a big vibration the rest of the race after getting knocked by Kubica.

[repcobrabham]

amazing race, here's hoping for wet and wild weather in future! how about that last lap? the finns circling like sharks, then RK and FM brawling like a couple of drunken sailors.

devastated by MW's incredible bad luck but smart play by LH, kept it together... great work also by KR, HK and especially DC, even though i'm still giving this one to his teammate.

[Atreiu]

Just a few things:

- What a shame for Alonso, but I'm glad for Hamilton. It's within his reach, I wanna see him clinch it at China now;
- Ferrari nearly ****ed it up huge today. Is this the same team that took 6 WCC on the trot? Good result for Raikkonen and terrific fighting spirit displayed by Massa. he is out of contention and it has much more to do with mechanical problems than with his driving;
- Great Kovalainen. It's good to see he's not the same who started with a horrible weekend at Australia;
- The SC deployment at the beginning was a joke, but the race saved itself later. 8/10

[karlth]

Raikkonen: FIA instructed Ferrari to pit. Car on dry setup.

[Umpire]

I feel deeply saddened by the first 18 or so laps behind the SC. Race it, just race it.

I know the talk about safety but the conditions were not any better in the latter part of the race than they were when they began...

[Atreiu]

Originally posted by president evil
Great drive from Raikkonen and an easy win for Hamilton.

It wasn't easy, but controlled and flawless. There's a huge difference.

[boost]

Webber - Gut wrenching.
Vettel - ****ing noob. Cried like a girl afterwards
Hamilton - One of his best wins.

[MortenF1]

Originally posted by TheSaltire


SV goes from hero to...well...I think Webber summed it up best on ITV.

what did he say?

Early on I said to myself that this is really a breakthrough weekend for Vettel, but then he nerfed Alonso and then clubbered up Webber while behind the SC....!!!!!!! Can't believe it. But I'll give him one thing, and that is that he's certainly got the ability to pull off some great laps in the wet.

[Louis Mr. F1]

Originally posted by Umpire
I feel deeply saddened by the first 18 or so laps behind the SC. Race it, just race it.

I know the talk about safety but the conditions were not any better in the later part of the race than they were when they began...

that's exactly my thoughts, it's all wasted laps.

[Bruce]

Originally posted by pRy
If I'm not mistaken, Lewis can now finish 4th in each of the next two races behind Alonso and the Ferraris (in any order) and he will still win the WC.

If Alonso wins the next two, Kimi 2nd, Massa 3rd, Lewis 4th, he will win the WC with 2 points.

Essentially, LH just has to finish to win the WDC... - FA is his closest rival, and he's 12 points back - so LH would have to finish 7th and 6th in both races and Alonso win both - ain't gonna happen.

[f1seb]

Originally posted by repcobrabham
How about that last lap? the finns circling like sharks, then RK and FM brawling like a couple of drunken sailors.

Lol love this quote.

[Bruce]

too bad really - I was looking forward to a nail-biting final 2 races.

it's all rather academic now though.

[rage2]

Wow... Hamilton just compared himself to Senna and Prost in the PC.

[Mauseri]

Originally posted by ensign14
Raikkonen and Massa - had Ferrari not screwed them with iffy tyres where would they be? (And what penalty will Ferrari get for rulebreaking? Oh, wait, there will be a clarification.)

Actually there is no such rule, but they just decided everybody must have extreme wets.

Nice gift for Hamilton, eh`?

[boost]

Originally posted by race addicted


what did he say?

Early on I said to myself that this is really a breakthrough weekend for Vettel, but then he nerfed Alonso and then clubbered up Webber while behind the SC....!!!!!!! Can't believe it. But I'll give him one thing, and that is that he's certainly got the ability to pull off some great laps in the wet.

Webber siad something along the lines of "thats what you get when you use kids with no ****ing experiance"
He swore and Louise smartly left him alone

[Umpire]

Originally posted by race addicted
That move on DC - wow! I think he really stunned DC when he rounded him like that. He was amazing in that corner but I am continually surprised why we don't see such lines in the wet more often. It's fairly common in karting for instance. (Yes I know Alonso raced outside the normal racing line in Hungary 06).

I was wondering the same thing. It is so evident you can carry so much more speed doing this, why don't they do it more often then? Do they simply have no clue about it?

Well done to KR.

[f1seb]

Originally posted by rage2
Wow... Hamilton just compared himself to Senna and Prost in the PC.

He must have lots of faith in the McLaren outfit. I'll jot that down for a "rookie mistake".

[Mauseri]

Originally posted by rage2
Wow... Hamilton just compared himself to Senna and Prost in the PC.

Really? But at least Hamiltion is winning WDC in his first year...

[bobqzzi]

Originally posted by Umpire
I feel deeply saddened by the first 18 or so laps behind the SC. Race it, just race it.

I know the talk about safety but the conditions were not any better in the latter part of the race than they were when they began...

Yes, exactly.

I'm also a bit concerned by the idea that the FIA can suddenly declare the tire everyone has to start on. Granted, Ferrari's choice of intermediates was foolish, but it should be the teams to make.

But a good race nevertheless. Hamilton did a fantastic job, as did most others. Shame Massa had to pit since "team orders" aren't permitted-silly rule.