This is the new Formula 1 World Champion! And the youngest ever! And he made it here only by the skin of his teeth.
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It was as if someone had hit the rewind button of life to take things back exactly an year ago. The same track in Brazil, the same difference in drivers standings, a similar story of thrilling wins traded by two greats of F1 in the season so far. One, a veteran driving the red prancing horse, the best & most dominant team in F1, all but slipping behind a rookie. Driving for a rival team that was once just as cult, trying to regain the most coveted title for past 10yrs or so without much luck . A season that went down to the last wire. Finally experience prevailed over sheer talent and Kimi became the F1 champ.
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This year, things were almost the same with minor differences. It wasn't Kimi from Ferrari but Massa. No less dominant this season with 5 wins (same as Hamilton) so far. Driving on his home track and hoping to wipe out a 7 point deficit with some brilliantly perfect driving and some luck.Hamilton, no more a rookie. Same talent but with the experience of last season under his belt. But was that enough? 7 points ahead, enough to be crowned the king if he could finish 5th or better.
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Massa never made a single wrong move all through the race. A perfect race from a brilliant driver. Lewis, unlike last year, played it safe with none of that foolish aggression. When it seemed it was all sealed in his favour, it was all lost!! With no hopes but real no need either, of catching up with Massa, Alonso, Kimi at the front, Lewis had almost sealed it with his 5th place drive with only the little known Timo Glock in front. Thats when he slipped again running wide! A chance that Vettel didn't miss and slid into 5th place, as Massa crossed the finish line, leaving the championship dreams in dust! It was all OVER! Till Timo slid (poor choice of tyres on a wet track) and Lewis slid into 5th behind Vettel in the last corner even as Massa & Ferrari had already begun the celebrations. Guess when you get a push from the Lady Luck herself, you win no matter who finishes first. So it was all over - but for Massa!!!
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A perfect race from Massa, just a tad late. A not so perfect race from Lewis after another brilliant season, but I guess his time had come. He had as much talent as last season, more experience than the last season, but definitely more luck! Hail the new king!! Watch out for 2009 since now we have 4 serious contenders in Massa, Kimi, Lewis & Alonso, who managed 2 wins this season inspite of a not so great car. Guess we won't be missing Schumacher much...
2 comments:
Schumi shall always be missed and so shall be DC :)
Hami and Alonso - yes fill the void left by Schumi and brilliantly so.
Back to the race - what was Kubica doing???
Good question. Too much focus at the front. Never bothered about him since he was out of top 10 i believe. He has his moments this season but needs much more to be able to compete against these guys. BMW has made a lot of promises for next year already. :)
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