McLaren disappointed not to clinch drivers' Championship
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished the 2007 Formula 1 World Championship second overall with one point behind the new Champion Kimi Raikkonen. At the final race, the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, which he started as the overall leader, Lewis came home seventh due to a temporary gear shifting problem on lap eight, which put him to the back of the field.
His team mate Fernando Alonso finished the race third behind Kimi and Felipe Massa. Both Vodafone McLaren Mercedes drivers are on 109 points each, they are one point behind Kimi; Lewis took the runner-up position because he has more second places than his team mate. Fernando was on a two-stop strategy; he came in on laps 22 (8.7 seconds) and 52 (6.2 seconds). Lewis pitted on laps 22 (5.8 seconds), 36 (6.5 seconds) and 56 (5.4seconds).
Fernando Alonso "The result today is of course disappointing but we already knew that it would be difficult starting from fourth to win the race and the Championship today. I predicted at the start of the season that it was going to be very close and that it would come down to the race here in Brazil, I just hoped that it would have been in my favour, but that is not the case and I just have to accept that for this year. It was a difficult race for me. During the first laps, I thought I was able to match the Ferraris’ speed; however, when they began pushing they were just too fast. Our car was fast and competitive throughout the year and I won four races. I am still satisfied with this season"
Lewis Hamilton "Obviously I am pretty disappointed with the result today, having lead for so much of the season and then not to win the Championship. However I have to put the result into perspective, this is only my first year in Formula 1 and overall it has just been phenomenal. I am still very young and have plenty more years in me to achieve my dream of becoming World Champion. I have to thank absolutely everyone in the team for everything they have done for me this year, without them and all their hard work I wouldn’t have even been in this position today."
Ron Dennis "Having fought a close and thrilling battle in the Drivers’ Championship all year and then not to win it at the final hurdle is obviously extremely disappointing. However, we as a team can only feel very proud of all our achievements this season and the way in which we have conducted ourselves. To come into this championship showdown with two drivers both with a chance of winning is a testament to all the hard work and dedication everybody in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team has put in throughout this difficult year. We would like to congratulate Kimi on his achievement today."
Norbert Haug "Not the result today we wanted to achieve with both Lewis and Fernando having been so close to winning the World Championship. But even two times 109 points is not making up for 110. It hurts very much if you are missing just two points to win a Championship. However, I want to thank the entire team for their hard work during this season. It is sad for everybody in the team that we couldn’t capitalise on our second chance following China. Congratulations to Kimi and Ferrari on winning the World Championship."
