Heartbreak for Kimi
Absolutely Stunning! These are the two words which come to my mind for the description of Sunday’s Belgian grand prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. The commentators had kept reminding us the possibility of rain time and again, which was conspicuous by its absence for the entire race save the last two laps. And these last laps were to change the entire complexion of the world championship.
Kimi Raikkonen, who had led the race from the second lap, following Lewis Hamilton's error at turn 1; had driven a near-perfect race. The Ferrari pit-stop strategy had worked wonders as it managed to put some traffic between Kimi and Lewis, as Kimi sped away for a five-second advantage over his rival. Kimi's season seemed to be coming together at last. Cometh the hour, cometh the man seemed to be his mantra. Winning this race would have made the championship much more interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as the rain drops fell slowly, and then heavily. Suddenly, Kimi backed away and slowed down to a snail's pace. It was almost as if he was trying to shepherd the car to the chequered flag. Lewis wasn't far behind, and to give him credit where it’s due, he matched Kimi lap for lap and wasn’t far away at any point of time during the entire race. In fact he was hoping for rain to come down, as he confessed later in the interview. The rain came down, and the dry compound tires lost all temperature and traction. Lewis saw his chance, took the risk and closed the gap on Kimi, until he passed him on the 300 km/hour straight. Lewis lost the lead in a tight corner, where he was forced to drive through the escape route and let Kimi take the lead. According to the rules, a driver cannot overtake another using the escape route. Although he allowed Kimi to take the lead, it was short-lived. Instead of taking the racing line, Kimi buckled under pressure from Lewis and turned left. Lewis overtook him from the right, and then successfully thwarted Kimi's attempt to cut him from the inside line while turning right. I am sure at that time they made contact. There was more drama in store as Kimi took the outside rubber coated trail to get more traction and caught up with Lewis. Lewis made a mistake when his car fractionally lost grip and went to the outside part of the racing track and Kimi regained the lead. However, this lead was to last for only a second as Kimi over sped on the curve and crashed into the side wall.
One could see the agony and ecstasy in the Ferrari and Mclaren crew members. The last two laps were a lottery and it could easily have been Kimi on the winner's podium. However it was not to be. A win would have been the perfect antidote for all the criticism and questions being raised about his motivation to win another world championship. Today, he showed he is still a true champion and would never go down without a fight till the chequered flag. I am absolutely convinced he finished the race with his battered and bruised Ferrari in 18th and last place to convey the message to his rivals - its not over yet, and its going down to the wire. However, with only five races left and 23 points behind Lewis, it’s a Herculean task for him to retain the world championship. Even if he manages to win most of the remaining races, Lewis and Felipe Massa, both would have to drop many points on the way. Lewis should be given credit for fighting it out all the way, and as he said in the end - It’s never over until the fat lady sings! He looks the clear favorite to win his first championship only in his second season; remember he missed the world crown by just a single point to Kimi in his maiden year last year.
As for Felipe Massa, it would be a disgrace if he were to win a world championship. He is simply not champion material. He is more in the mould of a Rubens Barrichello or a David Coulthard; a bridesmaid but not quite the bride. In the post-race interview, Felipe did not mince words while accepting that he was happy with the second place. How cheap is that! In no way does that establish him as the No.1 driver in his team. Kimi is still the man for Ferrari. I would go as far as to say that he should help Kimi win the world crown, as 2nd places are not going to do him any good. There are only two real contenders, Lewis and Kimi. I only have one advice for Kimi - It isn’t over until the fat lady sings! Let’s see what Monza, the home of Ferrari has in store for him next week. Only a victory will be a soothing balm for him after this heartbreak.
Kimi Raikkonen, who had led the race from the second lap, following Lewis Hamilton's error at turn 1; had driven a near-perfect race. The Ferrari pit-stop strategy had worked wonders as it managed to put some traffic between Kimi and Lewis, as Kimi sped away for a five-second advantage over his rival. Kimi's season seemed to be coming together at last. Cometh the hour, cometh the man seemed to be his mantra. Winning this race would have made the championship much more interesting. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as the rain drops fell slowly, and then heavily. Suddenly, Kimi backed away and slowed down to a snail's pace. It was almost as if he was trying to shepherd the car to the chequered flag. Lewis wasn't far behind, and to give him credit where it’s due, he matched Kimi lap for lap and wasn’t far away at any point of time during the entire race. In fact he was hoping for rain to come down, as he confessed later in the interview. The rain came down, and the dry compound tires lost all temperature and traction. Lewis saw his chance, took the risk and closed the gap on Kimi, until he passed him on the 300 km/hour straight. Lewis lost the lead in a tight corner, where he was forced to drive through the escape route and let Kimi take the lead. According to the rules, a driver cannot overtake another using the escape route. Although he allowed Kimi to take the lead, it was short-lived. Instead of taking the racing line, Kimi buckled under pressure from Lewis and turned left. Lewis overtook him from the right, and then successfully thwarted Kimi's attempt to cut him from the inside line while turning right. I am sure at that time they made contact. There was more drama in store as Kimi took the outside rubber coated trail to get more traction and caught up with Lewis. Lewis made a mistake when his car fractionally lost grip and went to the outside part of the racing track and Kimi regained the lead. However, this lead was to last for only a second as Kimi over sped on the curve and crashed into the side wall.
One could see the agony and ecstasy in the Ferrari and Mclaren crew members. The last two laps were a lottery and it could easily have been Kimi on the winner's podium. However it was not to be. A win would have been the perfect antidote for all the criticism and questions being raised about his motivation to win another world championship. Today, he showed he is still a true champion and would never go down without a fight till the chequered flag. I am absolutely convinced he finished the race with his battered and bruised Ferrari in 18th and last place to convey the message to his rivals - its not over yet, and its going down to the wire. However, with only five races left and 23 points behind Lewis, it’s a Herculean task for him to retain the world championship. Even if he manages to win most of the remaining races, Lewis and Felipe Massa, both would have to drop many points on the way. Lewis should be given credit for fighting it out all the way, and as he said in the end - It’s never over until the fat lady sings! He looks the clear favorite to win his first championship only in his second season; remember he missed the world crown by just a single point to Kimi in his maiden year last year.
As for Felipe Massa, it would be a disgrace if he were to win a world championship. He is simply not champion material. He is more in the mould of a Rubens Barrichello or a David Coulthard; a bridesmaid but not quite the bride. In the post-race interview, Felipe did not mince words while accepting that he was happy with the second place. How cheap is that! In no way does that establish him as the No.1 driver in his team. Kimi is still the man for Ferrari. I would go as far as to say that he should help Kimi win the world crown, as 2nd places are not going to do him any good. There are only two real contenders, Lewis and Kimi. I only have one advice for Kimi - It isn’t over until the fat lady sings! Let’s see what Monza, the home of Ferrari has in store for him next week. Only a victory will be a soothing balm for him after this heartbreak.
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