The Chinese Grand Prix, despite its importance in the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship, was sadly as uneventful as the Japanese Grand Prix was controversial.
Having put his car on pole, Lewis Hamilton drove an absolutely faultless race only giving up the lead over his two pit stops and finished over 16 seconds ahead of championship rival Felipe Massa (who was gifted second place in the closing stages by Räikkönen).
It would be easy to conclude that the Ferraris just didn’t have the necessary pace to keep up with the McLarens as Hamilton drew away easily from second placed Räikkönen after a perfect start, but a closer look at Heikki Kovalainen would make you think again. Yes, the McLarens had the edge over the Scuderia in China, but Hamilton was in a class of his own. If only he had put on such a strong display last weekend and he would have had the title wrapped up by now… Still, he once again rose to the occasion, kept a level head and drove so well that even Rob Smedley, Massa’s engineer, couldn’t help but offer his congratulations. “You can put it down to: is McLaren the fastest car, or is Lewis just the fastest driver? If you look at him compared to poor old Heikki, he completely out-classed him this weekend.”
Hamilton was regularly over a second a lap quicker than the ‘flying’ Finn, making Kovalainen look particularly average. He has no doubt had a very unlucky season which was made none the better on Sunday with a puncture, but I wonder whether McLaren is rueing the fact that they have signed him for a further two years? They don’t have the hassle of two ‘star drivers’ this year, but if Lewis does win the Championship in Brazil (he need only finish 5th with Massa winning) and McLaren fail to win the Constructors title (which is looking increasingly likely as Ferrari now have a commanding 11 point advantage), all eyes will be on Kovalainen.
As for what happened in the race? Well, all the front runners got a clean start, while Kovalainen briefly took 4th place from Alonso only to give it back later in the lap. And… well, that’s how they stayed for most of the race. Kubica sadly ended his chances of clinching the championship after an uncharacteristically poor qualifying where he struggled with the setup of his car, but drove a strong race to climb up to 6th.
Piquet also drove well and is no doubt starting to give Renault a small headache. Had they made a decision three weeks ago regarding next year, I have a suspicion they would have had no qualms about dropping the GP2 star. However, after a few spirited drives, and indeed periods of staying on the Tarmac, the team must be having second thoughts.
So off to Brazil we go. If Hamilton can keep as level a head as he did this weekend taking pole, the fastest lap and winning the race, he will be unstoppable. But let’s hope that he has ability to let the race unfold, let others get on with it and drive safely to 5th. If he doesn’t, and he once again throws away the Championship in the last race, I fear it will take a lot longer to get over than it did last year.
He’s not going to throw it away. Lewis will be champion sadly. Neither Massa nor Hamilton deserve the honour, but there you go.
As for Heikki, I cannot believe how badly he’s gone from hero to zero this year. He showed some real talent and skill last year, and this year he’s disappeared into nothingness. I think if anything this indicates the climate at McLaren and highlights in large part why Alonso didn’t fare so well. The team revolves around their precious little Lewis, and whoever is in the other car is doomed, no matter how talented.
It seems even worse than the devotion shown to Hakkinen a decade ago, where DC at least didn’t drown in the tide of hormones flowing from the mutual admiration society between Mika and Ron.
For the first time in my 21 years watching the sport, I don’t give a damn who wins the championship as neither of them deserve it.
Wait a minute, neither Massa nor Hamilton deserve the honor? Does that mean Keke Rosberg doesn’t deserve his title despite scoring less than 50 points and only one victory? I am sure some mistakes were made then as well. Truth is, despite all the errors, Hammy and Massa still lead the chase. Kimi self-destructed at mid-season and Kubica might be consistent, but he or BMW just isn’t fast enough yet.
No, Hamilton will be a worthy champion, just look at his good drives, especially in the wet. Massa lost the title for me in the wet at Monaco and then Silverstone – that was a drive from a rookie that day.
Nope, disagree. You say look at his good ones.
I say look at his bad ones to get a more accurate measure of the man. Montreal, China etc…
Dragging Keke into is hardly relevant. Different era for starters when reliability was a much more crucial factor, and Keke didn’t drive like an idiot.
So in your world, the cup is half-empty. In mine the cup is half full.
Right now I would say we are at a point where the future front runners in the sport are being developed in the wake of Michael Schumacher’s retirement. Kind of like 1974 when several drivers took up the position that Jackie Stewart had. So there is no one near-perfect driver out there this year. It actually nice to see the occasional gaffe by these guys – even Michael had his moments of brain fade (Spa 1998 comes to mind).
You are right, Keke didn’t drive like an idiot, but back then idiocy usually resulted in something more tragic – there was a certain sense of preservation before the advent of carbon-fiber safety cells and Hans-devices.
Talking about more tragic consequences and Keke Rosberg…he would not win that title if Villeneuve and Pironi were around, plus the sudden retirement of Reutemann helped him as well. But similarly to 1958, in 1982 consistency was everything and Rosberg was there till the end to collect the honors, while the others were not. Also, I would disagree that there are no near-perfect drivers at the moment. Kubica and Alonso had been quite brilliant all year.
To briefly get my oar in this troubled water, I see Fernando Alonso as being the best of the current Grand Prix drivers. He is fast, he is consistent, he thinks, he is clever and cunning, and he has a great team behind him. For me, a great racing driver.
If he gets a good car, the combination of Alonso and Renault is a very strong combination.
Keke? Well, he was ALWAYS thrilling to watch.His record lap in qualifying at Silverstone will stay with for a very, very long time. Those were the days – big turbos, tons of power and slicks. Ah, well, now is now.
RW