Having lost pace off the line and being overtaken by World Champion Kimi Raikkonen Lewis Hamilton executed the dirty tactics mirroring the likes of many world champs before him by driving both himself and Kimi off the road.
Although at first glance you may discount this move as nerves, the replays suggest some form for premeditation in this move. What surprised me just as much was how Hekki Kovalainen also veered into the path of Kimi and Felipe Massa at that very first corner – as though to ensure the Ferrari boys made their way off track.
Sunday afternoon at Fuji also saw some underhanded tactics from championship challenger Felipe Massa as he took Lewis out by running straight over the kerbs.
Perhaps poetic, but both McLaren drivers paid for the opening corners fracas. Lewis took a drive thru penalty while almost at the same time Hekki’s engine went up in smoke. Similarly, Massa also endured a drive thru penalty.
Once the early laps dust had settled, it was straight forward racing from early leader Robert Kubica, Fernando Alonso and eventually Kimi Raikkonen. After the first round of stops, Fernando fueled light and took the lead from Robert. The rest was history as the two-time world champ crossed the finish like to take his second successive victory in 2008 and his 22nd F1 chequered flag.
Robert and Kimi battled it out of the 2nd round of stops but graining on the Ferrari drivers tires didn’t allow him to pass the BMW – a car that hasn’t been updated significantly over the last couple of months. One might even say a lack of commitment from Kimi to get by also contributed to Kimi standing on the bottom step of the podium.
The two championship leaders made up only 1 point between them. Massa managed to salvage a sole point having overtaken Webber in the closing laps of the race. Lewis meanwhile went home scoreless as he took himself home in 11th.
With just two rounds to go, Lewis still leads the drivers championship by 6 points from Massa. As F1 heads to China in a week’s time, the odds are still against Massa. Back to back victories may still be insufficient to see him take the cake.
I’m looking forward to seeing Massa pick up 6 points relative to Lewis in Shanghai. That will take the championship down to the wire in Interlagos.
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