News Update 10/20/2008
Good to the last drop: Lewis Hamilton dominated Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The McLaren pilot scored a perfect 10 after grabbing pole position, setting the fastest lap and cruising to a comfortable win. Just like last year with one race to go he is again tasting "seven up" in the championship over the only challenger left Felipe Massa. Victory was Hamilton’s fifth of the season and number nine in two seasons of Formula 1. This tally is greater than some drivers who were in Formula 1 for a decade or more, like Eddie Irvine (4 wins), Michele Alboreto (5 wins) and Rene Arnoux (7 wins).
Championship finale takes place at the Interlagos Jose Carlos Pace circuit next month. Last year Hamilton’s seven-point lead before the race evaporated as a result of a needless and over-aggressive move on no-love-lost then teammate Fernando Alonso. A fifth place finish even with Massa winning will make Lewis Hamilton the youngest ever world champion.
Shell shock: Massa’s wingman, the outgoing world champion Kimi Raikkonen, took-off from front row but never seriously challenged for the lead. He did display his biggest smile of the season when asked about letting Massa pass him for second place in the post race press conference.
Fernando Alonso was fourth in his Orient-express Renault. Nick Heideld was fifth ahead of BMW-Sauber teammate Robert Kubica. Timo Glock in a Toyota was seventh after a one stop strategy. Final championship point from eighth place was earned by Nelsinho Piquet in the second Renault.
GP2 Asia: Roldan Rodriguez of Spain was the winner in the season opener of GP2 Asia series. Kamui Kobayashi of Japan was second ahead of fellow countryman Sakon Yamamoto.
Davide Valsecchi of Italy won Sunday’s sprint race over 18-year old high flying Kiwi Earl Bamber. Javier Villa of Spain was final man on the podium in third place.
Podcast # 310
Lewis Hamilton dominates the Chinese Grand Prix!
Kimi gives second place to Felipe Massa.
Renault clinch fourth in the constructors.