Congratulations to Kimi Raikkonen

Congratulations to Kimi Raikkonen. The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos is over and Raikkonen wins both the race, and the Formula 1 Championship. Right up until the first lap of the race unfolded, no one would have bet a lot on the scenario and the outcome that we were treated to today. Ferrari is to be congratulated not only for the car that they produced, but also for the teamwork and tenacity that won both the driver and constructors championship.

The lesson learned for McLaren is to work together as a team like Ferrari did right up until the last lap of the last race. McLaren clearly did not do that, and it cost them dearly. Finishing in a points tie for second place, Hamilton gets the nod because of more second place finishes during the season. To finish second in the Championship race in a rookie year is a fantastic achievement. If not for a couple of rookie mistakes, (and I personally think the tire goof up in China was a bad team decision, not his) and a little bad luck, Lewis Hamilton would have won the Championship in his first year of Formula 1 competition.

In all fairness, with the rookie Hamilton finishing in a virtual dead heat with the two time World Championship, it should be said that his performance clearly exceeded that of Alonzo. From afar, it would seem that the two most important determinants in that outcome are Hamilton’s talent, and Alonzo’s distraction. Alonzo arrived at McLaren with the resume of a two time World Champion and expected to be treated as such. Unfortunately, his arrival coincided with the arrival of a McLaren favorite son, a person with at least a decade of history in the organization, and many well wishers. On top of this, Hamilton began to turn in stellar performances. It is quite understandable that Alonzo would experience some frustration and anger, but he did a terrible job of handling those emotions, and turned an irritation into a schism that cost the team and both drivers dearly.

On top of that, his involvement in the Ferrari spy drama, and an attempt to leverage his knowledge of that situation against Hamilton, cost him the trust and confidence of the team. Watch for announcements of where he will land next year, but there is a great consensus that it will not be with McLaren.

How will Hamilton fare next year? Well, it is certain that without Alonzo he will not have to constantly watch his back, and he will most likely get a team mate that will be helpful instead of a hindrance. Wherever he ends up, Alonzo will not be in a Ferrari or a McLaren so I would guess that young Mr. Hamilton will have the advantage over his former team mate, and follow up his record breaking rookie year with an even more impressive performance in 2008.

Because of the various scoring scenarios that could have occurred in the season finale, this Championship came down to the last lap of the last race. It doesn’t get any better than that. Next year should be just as exciting.