August 5th, 2007 -- If you read the British F1 press, you’re starting to get the impression that Lewis Hamilton may be the best thing out of the UK since the Beatles. Too bad it seems like everyone is bending over backwards to help this kid and ruining F1 in the process. First, we got the ruling that McLaren had the documents that would constitute unsportsmanlike conduct (me being nice) or down right cheating (me pandering to the Tifosi) but still got off Scot free, so that the UK has it’s latest great hope. Now, we get stewards making absolutely bogus calls because Alonso decided to screw up Hamilton’s qualifying session since the rookie didn’t listen to the radio. This sent the reigning world champion back 5 spots after taking pole and opened it up for another Hamilton victory. Or, so the press would say.
What really happened was an absolute snoozer of a race surrounded with plot lines usually aired by really crummy actors that keep the vast majority of us wanting to get out of the house and back to work, contributing to the well being of society. Adam Smith figured this out and his invisible hand helped us along. Bernie’s not-so-invisible hand seems to be reaching for the flusher, causing me to seriously consider using my flabby hand to push the channel button on the remote. The circus is getting so bad that I didn’t flinch to get tickets to Watkins Glen this coming weekend. And yes, I know there is a NASCRAP race there Sunday…
The Start
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Oh yes, there was a race this weekend, but it really was more like hot lapping at a decent club event. Hamilton pretty much lead from the start, never really being challenged (I’d still pay money to see Alonso to hit him during the next race). Kimi tried his best in the Ferrari, but the long wheelbase chassis just didn’t have enough in it. This track is very similar to Monaco and the results weren’t good there, either. The timesheets made it look closer than it really was.
BMW was happy to make it seem like they’re in a fight with Ferrari for second place, but it wasn’t fooling anyone. Nick Heidfeld’s podium means he’ll probably get to renew his contract. The Quandt family is probably still upset that Mercedes is putting the motors in the McLarens. Alonso finished in fourth place and it’s been quoted that he hasn’t been talking to Hamilton. Prost and Senna had moments of not speaking to each other, but these guys are just acting like your typical asses rather than true greats. Robert Kubica finished fifth in the other BMW, ensuring that he, too, will be asked back next year.
Filipe Massa
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Ralf Schumacher finished in sixth place getting three more points for Toyota, and is fighting like hell to save his job. The math still doesn’t make sense, but when you’re the largest car company in the world sitting on billions in cash, it’s got to go somewhere…
Williams was in the points, barely. Sir Frank’s team is nowhere near where they once were. Maybe he’ll be the next garagist to call it a day?
The last points paying position went to Kovalainen. That performance pretty much seals up Fisichella’s fate. Don’t expect the Italian to be invited back to the French team if Flavio has anything to say about it.
Kimi Räikkönen
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Massa had a terrible weekend and didn’t want to talk about it. The same could be said for most of the Ferrari crew. But it was easier to get the Italian team to talk than trying to get anything out of Honda. Something is wrong when the junior car can lap the factory team.
As you can tell, I’m not really excited about the season anymore. The whole spy scandal left a real bad taste in my mouth and I think the fans are being played as dopes in this whole mess. Maybe I need a break from the circus or maybe it just really is getting this bad.
It’s a good thing there is a three week break before the Turkish GP. We all need a break from trying to be spoon-fed crap. Hopefully we will get a Turkish delight, but I have a feeling we’re going to be in for a nasty hangover with too many of the powers that be sucking a bit too hard on the hookah…
Jean Todt, Sergio Marchionne
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Race Results
