Immaculate Hamilton on brink of title

Eurosport - Mon, 20 Oct 13:47:00 2008

Britain's Lewis Hamilton has moved to the brink of the Formula One title by winning the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Felipe Massa.

FORMULA 1 2008 Malaysia GP Lewis Hamilton / Foto:EFE - 0

The McLaren driver led from start to finish, producing a superbly controlled display, but Massa kept the championship race alive by finishing second, 14.9 seconds adrift.

Hamilton leads the drivers' standings by seven points, with 94 to Massa's 87 ahead of the final race of the season at the Brazilian's home track of Interlagos. BMW's Robert Kubica has been mathematically eliminated from contention.

If the 23-year-old finishes fifth or better, he will become the youngest Formula One champion even if Massa wins.

However, he took the same lead into the final race of 2007 at the same track, and ended up surrendering the title to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

"All weekend we've had God on our side, and the team have done a phenomenal job," said a jubilant Hamilton.

"The car has taken a big step forward, it has felt fantastic all weekend and I owe so much to the guys.

"It was quite straightforward actually. I managed to do everything right on the formation lap. I got a great start, probably one of the best we have had. I got to turn one first, took the first few corners easy and then started to create a gap."

Massa said: "Lewis was stronger today. It was not a good result for the drivers' championship, but not so bad for the constructors and that is good for the team."

While the previous race in Japan provided non-stop drama, this was a processional race - but Hamilton's supporters will not mind given the recent criticism of his aggressive driving style.

The only mild controversy came from Ferrari, whose outgoing world champion Raikkonen slowed to let Massa through into second late on.

Although there were no 'team orders', the intention of the move was clear, and Massa takes two extra points into the final showdown on November 2.

Hamilton appeared unfazed by Raikkonen's decision to allow Massa through, saying: "It was inevitable Kimi would let Felipe past."

Raikkonen said of the arrangement: "I knew what to expect and what we wanted. I'm driving for the team. It's normal in this situation."

Ferrari struggled to match Hamilton's pace all weekend, even after selecting a softer tyre compound for the first stint.

Things were not so straightforward for Hamilton's McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who retired with brake problems and also suffered a puncture.

Renault's Fernando Alonso took fourth place and his team-mate Nelson Piquet Jr took a point in eighth place.

BMW duo Nick Heidfeld and Kubica took fourth and fifth respectively, with Toyota's Timo Glock seventh.

Britons David Coulthard and Jenson Button finished out of the points in 10th and 16th places respectively.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

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  1. He likes to dress up as Dracular and drive the North Circular,joining with the "Beggars in suits"
    Futbollix incorporated.
    Ps
    Do you want to play with my tea caddy's.

    From skyaerialsandsatellites, on Mon 20 Oct 11:39AM

  2. rick m... becareful or you will be joining me in an oblong box...

    From Tony, on Mon 20 Oct 11:33AM

  3. Vladtepes666: You shouldn't talk about GOD casting out the devil. Are you too dumb to know that the number 666 IS THE MARK OF THE DEVIL. DOH.
    Don't agree with Not Printable and her racist feelings but I don't think she would care for someone like you to be on her side. If you weren't so evil you would be pitiable.

    From Biggles, on Mon 20 Oct 11:29AM

  4. Invalid comment

    From danluckylarry, on Mon 20 Oct 10:52AM

  5. I dont care what the result is, as long as its an exciting, clean race, (although those two dont really seem to go together)I lost interest in this season at Spa. Although I lost interest in the 2005 season much earlier and yet I still kept watching. I just always hope next season will be better, and that time round it was.

    From Jas, on Mon 20 Oct 10:46AM

  6. Tony, if anyone will get the penalty it will be McLaraen, as much as I love to see McLaren get penalties, I must agree that a few of them have been unfair. But then both sides have had penalties, whether the penalty fits the crime I dont want to get involved with, I will say this though, if there are any signs of bias by the stewards over the Brazilian weekend, then the 2009 Aussie Gp had better be a good race to keep me watching for the rest of the season.

    From Jas, on Mon 20 Oct 10:38AM

  7. Mike Q... maybe they are the same person..

    From Tony, on Mon 20 Oct 10:19AM

  8. Stop bickering like a bunch of children. Its pathetic. The FIA will sort it out and there isn't anything you guys can do about it.

    From davinsky@..., on Mon 20 Oct 10:18AM

  9. D S I understand and it does make me laugh... but should we be encouraging him/her

    From Tony, on Mon 20 Oct 10:17AM

  10. Speaking of a drag act I assume those photo's "Not printable" uses are of a Tranny!

    From Mike, on Mon 20 Oct 10:16AM

  11. If he wasnt such a moron tony he would be annoying! I find him quite entertaing realy bit like a drag act! LOL

    From D S, on Mon 20 Oct 10:10AM

  12. D S what a good idea never thought of that... one should always buy a present for one's host.... how ignorant of me

    From Tony, on Mon 20 Oct 10:07AM

  13. Vlad do you need any lingerie picking up from our western shops? Perhaps tony could bring it over for you!

    From D S, on Mon 20 Oct 10:05AM

  14. We are expecting you Tony W & welcome you with open arms!!! Please bring all your Yeti friends too!!! Many Oblong boxes here to choose from!!! Many sizes from SSS SS S MMM MM MM LLL LL L & XXXLLL for your whole family!!!

    From vladtepes666@..., on Mon 20 Oct 9:57AM

  15. Vlad... i'm packing my bags and will be their asap... will i have an ensuit with my oblong box... in this castle are their ghost or are you the only MONSTER....

    From Tony, on Mon 20 Oct 9:51AM

  16. Touronroute: Don't think anybody gives a @#$% about your conclusions, Maybe they would if you were not so Ferrari tunnel visioned!

    From Tonka, on Mon 20 Oct 9:49AM

  17. Agree dsetw this was the one of the most boring ones of all time a real no brainer.These far eastern circuits are devoid of any character like the people who designed them for money spinning and def not spectator enjoyment like Brands.

    From bwosiek, on Mon 20 Oct 9:48AM

  18. After all those Schumacher incidents it was made very clear that allowing a team mate to pass and gain points was strickly not allowed. Both the team and the driver should be penalised. Full Stop.

    I want to see Hamilton become champ, and after that, I will have no further interest in this sport that has now been ruined. And I hope Hamilton moves to Indy, he will be huge in America. And they will love the fact that his confident, what they call arrogant over here in Europe. Should learn the difference.

    From POTTER, on Mon 20 Oct 9:44AM

  19. They can let them through,1and2, but they cant actually admit it was staged as they would be called in for a talk with Max.

    From bwosiek, on Mon 20 Oct 9:43AM

  20. Let's not forget that by slowing down Kimi added to the spectators enjoyment of the race. Without that incident there would have been even less overtaking in China. What on earth is F1 becoming? Spectators want to see competition, not just a line of cars driving fast.

    From David, on Mon 20 Oct 9:41AM
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