Kimi Raikkonen wins F1 Title in Brazil
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Going into today's Brazilian Grand Prix, the last race on the Formula One schedule, it was all about the McLaren duel for the title: the British rookie Lewis Hamilton and the Spanish two-time champion Fernando Alonso. Hamilton led Alonso by four points going into the race. While the McLarens got the headlines due to the many inner squables the team had this season, one thing got lost in the shuffle: Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was still eligible to win the title, seven points back of Hamilton. Good lesson here today: don't underestimate third place.
Raikkonen would take the checkered flag today at Interlagos ahead of his teammate Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso to win the title. Hamilton finished seventh, failing to earn the points necessary to be the first rookie to win an F1 title.
The dynamics began early as polesitter Massa veered in front of Hamilton, the second highest qualifier, at the start of the race. Raikkonen was able to overtake Hamilton in the first turn. Lewis had to break to avoid the rear of Kimi's car, allowing Alonso to pass him for third.
The first problem of Hamilton's day came later in that first lap, as his aggression go the best of him. Battling Alonso for third (a spot he didn't need), Hamilton ran into the grass, losing several positions and the at-the-moment title. Hamilton was still very much alive, but then a mechanical problem dropped him all the way back to 15th. While Hamilton would climb back into the points, he would not gain enough positions to be champ.
After Hamilton's misfortunes, third place Alonso was in charge of the title race. Raikkonen would have to somehow get by Massa to win the Championship. Of course, Massa could not just give the spot away, as that would be against the rules.
Raikkonen's salvation would come through the pits, where Massa was pitted earlier than Raikkonen, allowing the Finn to gain time in the open track. When Raikkonen came into the pits for the second time, he needed a good time to get out before Massa. It looked very dramatic as he exited Interlagos' long pit exit with the Ferraris battling, but ultimately Kimi would emerge victorious in every way possible.
The Drivers Championship ended in an incredibly dramatic fashion, even in the standings. Raikkonen finished the season with 110 points, one point ahead of both Hamilton and Alonso. Hamilton will have to take solace in beating his teammate on a tiebreaker for second overall.
Congratulations Kimi and Ferrari!
