The ICEMAN Cometh!!

I haven't got time to write much. Just to say what a fantastic result for Kimi and an amazing outcome for Ferrari after a difficult season. Kimi is a hugely popular winner and I'm sure his party tonight is going to be awesome.

As for the McLaren boys, well a disaster for Lewis and frustration for Fernando. Will he drive another race in a silver arrow? You guys can debate that while I'm on another plane.

What a race, what a season and what a result. Breathtaking all of it. I can see a million comments on my computer, hopefully someone in the office will get them up as soon as possible.

Comments

[Weasel]

Congratulations to Kimi RaikkONEn

Commiserations to Blewit Hamilton
and to Fernando AlsoNo

[Andras]

The final results of the WDC turned out to be quite rightful. And we're also not left without sports history comlpetely, although I had preferred to have the first rookie champion ever, these 3 drivers within 1 point are not any less interesting. Looking back, it almost seems unbelievable that Lewis had had to earn 4 points in 2 races and he couldn't live up to the task, however I'd really like to hear his senior engineer too, concerning the outrageous China case and this really weird 3-stops tactics today. I find it fun that many people suspected some conspiracy against Alonso at McLaren before the final two races, and how exactly opposite the things turned out to be. Hamilton might have missed the championship, but he finished ahead of Alonso at least and it probably lets him sleep somewhat better in the forthcoming days. I don't envy Lewis, all this is going to be a truly bitter pill to swallow for him. My ears still ring of his and his father's words, being "I asked the team to let me keep the trophy" and "who's Kimi?" respectively.

Finally, have a look at this article, it's great and Ed's blog gets mentioned in it too:
http://doctorvee.co.uk/2007/10/21/britains-lewis-hamilton-and-spains-fernando-alonso-do-not-exist/

[Igor]

Kimi just became the legend. McLaren beat themselves because they were racing against Fernando and not for the title.

[Isaac]

Yes! Yes! Yes! No one deserved it as much as Raikkonen. He has always gone about his business, always been incredibly quick, never asked for favours or being the first driver. He never moaned about the Hamilton episode. Indeed i have never heard him criticize any other driver - always saying 'it is done now' and 'we will see what we can do tomorrow'. Incredible self belief, courage and sportsman spirit. Raikkonen has always raced and always beat his team mates (Coulthard, Montoya, Massa). A fantastic victory for a driver unarguably one of the fastest the world has seen. He holds the world record for lap times at two of the hardest tracks on the calendar - Suzuka and Spa. He has come from 20th on the grid to win the race. He has more fastest laps that any one on the present grid and were it not for reliability he might have had one or two more championships. No matter, it is done now and we will see what we can do next year. Cheers!

[Mike]

Where is RD? I didn't see him.

[Lolibus]

What a shame for Mc Claren, Ron Dennis and Hamilton. Oh well, Kimi deserves more than mc claren cheaters

[lewis]

Ridiculuous for Ron Dennis, when you hire a world champion and a an apprentice you treat them both equally. All those little points stole from Alonso to make up for the apprentice errors have costed mclaren-mercedes a fortune, 2 titles and a bad image

[Robert Newman]

Crikey! KR was 17 points back with two races left. Congrats to him. Maybe LH was due a gremlin - KR had two in races this year and FA had one in qualifying at Magny-Cours.

[ALLMAN]

After all the McLaren & Hamilton propanganda people like you, fanatic and liar Ed, has written I'm so happy to see how the Britons have lost again in the last minute. Your arrogance have made you lost the title. It's been a glorious week for English sport, hasn't it?. Your football team has lost, your rugby team has lost and now your beloved Hamilton and Dennis have made the biggest ridiculous ever in the history of F1. I'm gonna have some shots to celebrate!

[Luis P.]

Next year we will see two world champions racing in f1, kimmi and fernando... the rest, they are just good drivers...

No doubt Hamilton is a good driver indeed, but he is not a champion, he does not have what it is needed to be one. I see him just too confident in himself, too happy. I bet he will never win a championship. This year caught everybody unaware, next year he will be monitored from the start of the season, and he will perform as in his second half of the season, that is, poorly at best.

I expect Ron to quit, he leaded McLaren to this disaster. Poor, poor leadership. Brits don't deserve this.

Finally, I want to propose a toast... for Andy G, for his outstanding contributions to this blog and his self confidence, that, alas, has as well ended in nothing.

Cheers!

[Pablo]

The best possible outcome came to be: Kimi won!

I think most of us think McLoser deserves what he got. A pity for Hamilton and Alonso.

Alonso's car was crawling during the whole weekend... just like Monza. Great job McLaren...

The rookie did a fantastic job. Got unlucky at the end. He could have allowed Alonso to take third and would have won, but he got nervious and took innecessary risks. He is a rookie after all. I don't think McLaren will have a competitive car next year. Ferrari will take better care to hide the documents from McLaren. I think Hamilton won't be able to win with McLaren.

Alonso must go to Renault. The R28 may not be as good as the Ferrari, but I bet it will be more competitive that McLaren's.

My bet next year: 1st Raikkonen-Ferrari, 2nd Massa-Ferrari, 3rd Alonso-Renault.

[ELCROWLEY]

HA HA HA Dennis, you spend a lot of money on Alonso for nothing. Prost was right saying that if Dennis was supported Alonso the WDC will be won a few races ago.
Equality equality equality...get your equality Dennis. Ham and Alonso on 2nd place with SAME points. Dig it.

I'd like to see face of bosses in Mercedes, McLaren and main sponsors (Vodafone, Mutua Madrileña,...)
Team has been showed as the big joke of F1.

One thing is clear, Dennis hasn't know how to direct a team with a rookie and a ---->2 WDC<---.

Let's see next year if Ham has learnet to do his own set ups.

[OgKar]

All you british have got what you deserve... Nothing. I am so happy for Kimi and Alonso. Alonso frustrated? no way man, Alonso was happy after he saw that McLaren's protected rookie bited the dust... Maybe he had been frustrated many days ago with they way all the team and the english media had been... but today... Today has been a celebration day... I respected McLaren, but during this season all my respect have gone... Ciao stronzzos.

[Alastair]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nobody deserves it more than him!

BRAVO KIMI, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO NEXT YEAR!!!!

[Txus G.R.]

SPORT PREVAILS OVER MARKETING

Good news for all F1 fans.The sport prevailed over marketing at the end.
Kimi R. and the Ferrari F1 team are the champions!

This is the best posible result for this season.I hope that Ron D. & Norbert H. have learned how to rule an F1 top team.The McLaren F1 team had everything in their hands to clinch the title and only their own mistakes and their incompetence have ruined what could be a great season.Is the best posible punishment for all of them.

I hope that Bernie E. take a look at the MotoGP championship and learn from Carmelo E. how to make compatible sport & bussines.

I hope that the FIA redact properly a new regulations and their correspondent penalties instead of leaving them in hands of the stewards incompetence for the next season.

I hope that all the media from every corner of the world learned that the true is first and that they have to be objetive and blind as justice should be.

Congratulations Kimi.

[marie]

yehey....KIMI WON, I still can't believe it, and he was smiling all throughout his press conference---As a Ferrari fan this is vindication to the doubters that the Italian team could only win on the courts but they won it in the race track with the driver with the most number of race wins winning the championship---I mean who would have funked it---I'm still on cloud nine. With regards to the Woking team---I think that aggressive moves that both Hamilton and Alonso did on turn one was what cause both of them the title.

[Miko]

Hamilton who?

[Sela]

Now to rest Ed. Today it is a great day; I am Alonsista until the marrow but I am glad a pile for Kimi, deserves east championship as much as Alonso. I am glad that Alonso goes away of the equipment and gains its next championship in another one escudería. If Denis were so English horseman at this moment it would be resigning. Kimi congratulations, champion and Ferrari congratulations, you if you know to work in equipment. And they pardon my English that is not very good. I feel it for that reason

[colin grayson]

personally I am delighted !!
I am thrilled for kimi because after all his bad luck at McL he deserved a break ....been a fine driver for a long time , if he could get a lap-dancer in the car with him he would probably have been champion before

I am actually pleased for LH , he will surely win in the future , maybe it will be several years ,but this way he will not have accusations that he won it unfairly hanging over him , something he surely doesn't deserve

and like most true fans I am ecstatic that alonso didn't win . at no point did he deserve to ; I believed that the accusations of his machinations at renault were exaggerated , but clearly I was wrong ...again!!!

[Juan Manuel Sanz]

that things happen when a boss/dad prefers a criying baby instead of a real champion.
Alonso has not received the same treatment than hamilton. he always been "the spaniard", not good enough to compare to Hamilton.
If in HungaroRing Hamilton would´nt tried to stole the extra lap, now Mc Larennt be the champion
Now, Mac Claren and Ron Dennis should pay.

[Luis de Expaña]

Now the true is out.

Hamilton is too young, 21 years old.

If he did not accuse to Alonso in Hungary and the rest of the team did not trick the car, now MacLaren would be champion with Alonso.

Alonso knows this and I hope Dennis has notice this today.

Hamilton not.

[Francesc]

In life you can behave in many different ways, but there's one way you should never behave: being ungrateful. Ron Dennis&Lewis Hamilton & Mc Laren team & mercedes benz have been very ungrateful with Fernando and his tremendous work, turning a 4rth row car into a champion one...well, there's his reward !!!

[Maria]

Congratulations Hamilton, you are the youngest loser in F1.
Without Massa, Kimi would´t have been the champion! Learn from Ferrari, that´s a team!

[Francesc]

In life you can behave in many different ways, but there's one way you should never behave: being ungrateful. Ron Dennis&Lewis Hamilton & Mc Laren team & mercedes benz have been very ungrateful with Fernando and his tremendous work, turning a 4rth row car into a champion one...well, there's his reward !!!

[P King]

Ron Dennis and McLaren lost it for Lewis in China. And by calling in lewis for 3 stops in Brazil.
What a bunch of idiots.

Anyway, conratulations to Lewis for finishing his rookie year just 1 point behind the new 2007 Champion.

Unfortunately, I do not think Lewis will wver again get a chance to be so close to the leading Ferraris ever again.

[BIGBIRD]

Lewis Hamilton - 109 pts
Fernando Alonso - 109 pts
None of them gets the WDC

That's total equality, isn't it? Great job by Mclaren this year. Hats off, Mr. Dennis.

Congrats to Kimi, definitely one of the greats.

[Chema Chote]

Right, I was so eager to have the chance to post a comment on this season's end and the result. I think that the statement that best fits it is "IT HAS SERVED YOU WELL". And "you", in this case, refers to Ron Dennis, the Hamilton "clan" led by Daddy Hamilton and his offspring, the maFIA, the whole McLaren lot and to a Bernie Ecclestone who'll have trouble finding out if Kimi is a world champion of his liking, this is, a champion that "will do something" for the business. If you, Bernie, had complained before of FA supposed coldness, then you're gonna find out with our Finnish friend.

And I have to say that I'm sooooo deeply happy right now, but I was so much happier when watching the after-podium press conference, when a smiling FA made a very politically correct statement with a wide smile in his face. That smile of he who knows that it has been HIS pressure in the first corners of the race, the one that has made LH lose his "coldness" (you're as cold as the sun, dear Lewis), commit a fatal mistake, get off the track and who knows if damaging your gearbox in the incident. It's THERE, where you can tell the men from the children.Particularly, from the spoilt children.

And believe me, it has to be really embarrassing to see how you give away two championships for betting for a spoilt child. It has to be really embarrassing to see how whatever the dirty tricks you use, your boy is not mature enough to handle the pressure, and to see how yet again, FA beats you on the track.

Next season, McLaren won't have the best driver of the grid (Quote: Niki Lauda before his alzheimer got too bad) evolutioning and setting the car up for him, and Lewis Hamilton won't have telemetry settings to "copy and paste" on his McLaren. I'm so eager to find out whether the "golden kid" really deserves that reputation, and how good he gets at the set up thing.

And my congratulations to the South African rugby team. They have really deserved it.

Regards.

[Frances]

A well-deserved win for the ICEMAN.

The Brazilian grand prix was a fantastic race that kept spectators like me on my toes. (The best moment was Hamilton losing to Alonso’s aggressive driving at turn four of the first lap.) The ending of the season manifested poetic justice. For me, it was not just a Ferrari victory, or a Raikkonen victory. It was a victory of all those who are against “The Hamilton Franchise.” I have nothing against Lewis, per se. He’s a great driver, but the preference of McLaren, Max Mosley and the FIA stewards towards their rising star is disgusting.

If you disagree with me, then let us agree to disagree.

But let’s end on a positive note: I am absolutely looking forward to a better 2008 F1 season.

[Jordi]

Ron Dennis. What a loser!

I will not go on and on, English people had a bad enough week, football, rugby and now F1.

Just to mention the start of the race. We saw the difference between a little arrogant daddys boy and a 2 times world champion.

One more thing to mention is the commentators of ITV, people like them is what makes me dislike Hamilton. Hamilton is a good driver, but is too early for him, today he cracked under pressure again (so he did in China).

There is no doubts in my mind that if Mr Equality Ron had mannaged the team properly today Mclaren would have a World champion.

Alonso is leaving,
the question is : Will he have to pay to break his contract or will he be allowed to leave for free?

If he has to pay to leave it will be very interesting to hear what he has to say about Ron.
If he goes for free, well then that will pay for his silence.

[Jose]

My congratulations to Kimi: If he´s won six GP, it is not by chance to win championship. However, let´s remember certain details. What referes to FA, without penalty in Hungary, he would have been champion again (or not! As I´m sure that both FA and LH´s points would have been cancelled). And LH has proved today that the team has to blame him for ruining the season. And Ron Dennis is to blame too (full of shame). Where was equality today? LH socred fastest lap )1´12") today and FA´s one was 2" longer. No chance to beat Ferrari at all.
P.S. Perhaps all this F1 is a farce to keep us busy with emotional conflicts.

[javier montes]

to ron dennis and lewis: cry like a woman what you couldn't defend as a man

[kechy]

congratulation kimi, what a big driver you are
Congratulation Fernando, despite you´ve driving against ferrary, britain and german newspapers, and against your our team and without support...AND YOU ALMOST WIN YOUR 3rd TITLE !! You haven´t a good car (the driver is the same than last 2 years=2 champions)..but you did it the best as you can. Congratulation, big fighter!!

Best wishes for you, Lewis and Ron Dennis, because now you know about JUSTICE !!

[EC]

Well done Ron, at last you managed to make Kimi World Champion. Congratulations!

[Simon]

Congratulations Kimi!

Two things for the Alonso fans to remember:
1) What happened to Lewis in the last two races is far stronger "evidence" of a conspiracy than anything that Fernando complained about so pathetically (and incorrectly) all this year. Not that I'm suggesting there was manipulation - that's racing, just bad luck (or, in FA's case, being outclassed a few times).
2) Lewis still beat a two-time world champion, over a whole season, in equal equipment. Alonso in THIRD PLACE makes me very happy.

Thanks for the blog Ed - it's been an eye-opening way of keeping track of some of the crazier media & fan opinions in different parts of the world!

[pangloss]

Nope Ed. Alonso will not drive for McLaren-Mercedes anymore:

- Have you seen FA on the podium or at the press meeting?

- Haven´t you noticed that when FA passed Lewis on the first lap, Hamilton gone nuts?

- Haven´t you noticeD that the fourth place on Brazil would have made Hamilton WDC?

- Haven´t you notice that despite this and events before Lewis will remain Ron`s "right eye"?

Well, things are clear, the Hamiltons are a pair of loosers and Alonso is double world champion in "a Renault".

What a nightmare long weekend (football, rugby & F1) for Britain, Andy G, Michael Bowen and so on. You can blame Alonso as long as you can. He is happily already flying to Renault.

Best,
Pangloss blog

[Maverick]

Hi Ed....
I'm sure u will be happy n sad both...sad coz poor Hamilton didn't make it.....he n daddy Anthony, Ron Dennis,etc have another year to wait...n happy in a way coz Alonso got it neither....but the whole world is happy for the CHAMPION FINN.....KIMI....:) he is the one who deserves the most...with all the controversies n scandal around F1 this year...he was one driver who just focussed on beating one n all on the track.....hats off...Bravo Bravo..
And how can i forget Andy G..take this one....now u can take shower all the way till the next season starts in Albert Park again....and by the way....you too can join the sob party of Hamiltons....
THE ICEMAN RULES !!!!!!

[Tlacuache]

Congratulations to Kimi, third time's the charm.

I have to admit i wasn't rooting for him, but in many ways this a great outcome, he's a great driver and remained at margin of all the off track silliness this season, got his head down and got it done, a true winner. this more than vindicates ferrari in my opinion, as i dislike litigious teams and people.

and for mclaren at the end, i can't avoid to see the irony, i always doubted the equality ron and his team want us to buy, but then i'm left with very little argument as both their drivers finish equal in points, equally behind ferrari, equally loosing the championship, a huge waste. some might want to point me to the results board where it reads that lh is number 2 and fa number 3, but i find it in my view that fa's 3rd place was harder to achieve.

[jircim]

JUSTICE: the only driver out of the 3 that has behaved well this year, kimi, has won. both lewis and fernando need to look back and see why apart from the support of their 'loved ones' why has so much shit been thrown at them and at time from them. Excellent result and Ron Dennis got what he deserved - a big nothing.
next year: if fernando leaves mclaren, cannot see lewis up the top, but where can fernando go to? I hope not to renault. he needs to prove to everyone 'again' that apart from a great driver, he is an asset, and where else but Toyota to prove that and put to good use his knowledge.
Fernando won he championship at 24. Lewis is only 2 years younger so if he wants to be in the record books he'd better hurry up, although for a rookie to finish second is absolutely fantastic, none the less, what fantastic opportunities wasted, still cannot believe it, he drove 'stupidly' - how can you get it so wrong?
Kimi's words that he has enjoyed this year more than past ones (i.e whilst at Mclaren's) - uhmmm, not too good is it for Ron Dennis!
Finally. Alonso fans celebrated the end of the grand prix, but just to clarify that they had agreed and it was well publicised that win orlose in Oviedo, they'd celebrate it, and this they did, thus please do not see this as celebrating lewis defeat, although no doubt the latters defeat was sweet music to their ears, but as a big thank you to Alonso from his fans. Where are the Lewis fans? Where is his support? Maybe it says a lot in favour of Spaniards contrary to lots of things that have been written in this blog.
viva la linea

[Gazpaxo]

This was my comment on "Felipe Rocks Interlagos":
____

Tomorrow Kimi will be champion...

Posted by: Gazpaxo | 20 Oct 2007 22:54:50
____

It was the logic result.

Congratulations Kimi!! Forza Ferrari! Siamo sempre i piu forti!

[Jean Todt]

Thank's to Mc.Laren and specially to Ron Dennis, without its effort and east dedication year would not have been possible the 2 titles.

Thanks again!

[ed]

Warning Ferrari's funs.... maFIA strikes back again....

Ha,ha,ha. Hamilton can to be world champion yet.

From Spanish news agency EFE:

http://www.eldiariomontanes.es/20071021/deportes/investiga-tres-monoplazas-acabado-200710212328.html

[Pablo]

Well put Frances.

[alfonso]

Raikkonen had to win because he got 7 victories.
Hamilton is going to learn more losing hte championship than getting it. I believe is going to be good for the long term.

Congratulation Kimi

VIVA Finlandia
VIVA Sibelius

RGDS

[Michael Bowen]

Firstly, a profound and sincere congratulations to Kimi....a well deserved win (and, as it turns out, championship).

However, an interesting development from grandprix.com....

"The problem in Brazil is that the fuel in the two BMW Saubers and the Two Williams-Toyotas was too cool during the race. Article 6.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations states that "no fuel on board the car may be more than 10 degrees centigrade below ambient temperature". This is to avoid teams freezing fuel and thus reducing its volume so as to get more into the tank thus gaining a performance advantage.

The FIA Technical Delegate Jo Bauer reported at the end of the race that the fuel temperatures in the two BMW Saubers and the two Williams-Toyotas were in contravention of the regulations at various points during the race. His report states that Nick Heidfeld's fuel temperature was measured during his two stops as having been 24-deg C and 25-deg C, when the ambient temperature was 37-deg "

Which means, apparently, that the stewards are investigating...."If two of the cars are excluded from the race, Lewis Hamilton would be the World Champion." says grandprix.com

Kimi is known for having bad luck. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Don't some of you think a rule is a rule and violating them should lead to exclusion? What sayeth you on THIS issue??

[an alonso fan]

Kimi, congratulations; you deserve it. Now, aren't you glad you left McLaren? you probably would be fighting Lewis for first place. Alonso, today is a happy man to see that finally justice is being served. MaFIA could not rescue Hamilton when his race car stalled.Where was the crane?

[Stv]

It seems that LH has not lost the championship yet. FIA is trying to disqualify BMW's drivers and Rosberg too. I'm not kidding.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/10/7023.html

It doesn't matter Lewis, daddy made his homework.

[ed]

Rumours asserts that Hamilton will be F1 World Champion's because maFIA will
disqualify one or two pilots.

What a shameful!

[Jerry]

would be funny if the championship result is reversed on williams/bmw cars being disqualified. rules are rules, if the cars are not legal i guess you can't really complain. happy to see kimi win... if the results changes would feel for him... don't think fans of the sport would accept it either

[Rafo]

I hope FIA will do the same with these investigated teams that did with mclaren and the tires affair: punish the team and not the pilots... but you know... englishs referees for an english pilot. I am sure LH will win in offices what he lost on the circuit.

[Agent Provocateur]

Thanks to those of you who have posted congratulations to Kimi and left it at that. His victory and World Driver's Championship were hard earned and well deserved.

I have watched these blogs for some time and seen the monotonously repetitive rantings of the totally unobjective, and ultimately pathetic, slavering pro Alonso rabble. So yet again, isn't it telling to see a segment of Alonso fans busy dancing on Hamilton's second place in the WDC? Face reality and quit carping on about Hamilton: ALONSO also LOST. He came THIRD and I personally doubt if he will win another WDC.

Suddenly it seems that all these pathetic Alonso fans (and you know who you are) are now hardcore 'pro Kimi' - how fickle.

Why is it so difficult for all of you who howl about 'unfair', 'conspiracy' and 'bad sportsmanship' simply to say "well done Kimi, bad luck Lewis and bad luck Fernando" and leave it at that. What a bunch of unsporting hypocrites you are.

Is it coincidental that nearly all the anti Hamilton/Ron Dennis posts are from the Iberian peninsula? Does this indicate the prevalent mentality? I do not see Hamilton fans ranting and raving about Alonso losing.

What has happened is history and you cannot change the result. If it is not to your liking - tough - get over it and get on with your miserable, empty lives. To the more balanced bloggers, you pro Alonso rabble (and there is a big difference between a genuine fan and rabble) are at best irritating and both you and your 'opinions' are of no consequence whatsoever.

[the hand]

Finally some justice!

Ron cry in ya boots!

A great season of mis-management by Mclaren and Ron!

Cop that Hamilton!

[willy]

This must be the biggest FAILURE in British history!!.

Despite of having 150%(percent) of Ron Dennis support, Lewis, the new ICON of formula one, gave away the championship in a way that not even MR. BEAN would've!.

That's why a real experienced "TEAM MANAGER" will stick with the two time world champion, while he prepares the "ROOKIE" for the next year.Now that's how you run a successful business.But what am I talking about?. Mclaren hasn't been a successful team in many years!!!.

I really enjoyed this race from the comfort of my recliner here in Miami, although I really had hopes of watching Alonso winning his third championship in a row. But nobody can win without the support of his team.

Definitely Fernando knew from the very get-go that he wasn't going to have any help from his team, and still he managed to get a third place, showing the team who's the man to trust when the situation becomes a little bit complicated.

Arrogance is a real bad defect that makes a human been destroy a whole team ambition.

Unfortunately the arrogant here is also the team principal of Mclaren Mercedes, MR. Ron Dennis!!.

Well deserved congratulations!.

[Manuel]

Sometimes here in the last days we´ve talking about a "crash" FA-LH after start, the two drivers out and Kimi wins.

There´s many ways to do that...

Putting pressure in the right moment.

Alonso takes Hamilton in the first corner...

Hamilton "crash". No need to "race against Fernando". But he did. Great Mistake.

When you are a REAL two times champion...you know perfectly the rookie mood.

Easy.

Alonso in Podio. Maybe he´s not the season champion, but using Dennis´s words "We are racing against Fernando"...well Fernando was racing against McLaren.

He won. One against the team.

[Al (Spain)]

Congratulations, Kimi Räikkönen, even when FIA will try to rob your championship, you really deserve it for your behaviour during last middle of it.

Just see that new:
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/10/7023.html

Hmmm! I've begin to believe all fanatic and wild theories coming from Spaniards about British conspiracy.

Ed, maybe is also Ron's wife inside it, like you suggest in your famous article "Fernando - a touch of class" ?

By the way, how many times had been Hamilton investigated during current season? And how many times punished?

I think that is not the image that British people deserve. Lewis can win other year. But,
if finally Hamilton wins this championship, it will be a scandalous robbery.

[jordi]

SIMON
Alonso overtaking Hamilton at the start of the race is bad luck?

you need to open a bit more your eyes mate!

[Chema Chote]

So they tried their best, they tried hard, and they tried to win in the offices of the maFIA what they had lost on the tracks. Unsuccessfully, Thank God, but very much to the already huge embarrassment the McLaren team has to be going through. No surprise, though, coming from a personage as "fair" as Dennis is.

Actually, I was expecting BMW and Williams to be fined with 15,000$... :-D

[jordi]

Ed
One sugestion for next year blog:
Would it be possible to post in real time?
That way it would be more interesting and interactive.

[Augusto Baena]

According to British Press, it seems the I-am-so-humble Lewis is threatening to abandon McLaren unless he is granted €150 million/year plus dealing with his own sponsors. That might be around 5x times what Kimi is making.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/18724/-100m-a-year-deal-or-Lewis-quits/

In my opinion, that's a tad too much for a sub-champion, that, despite an undenniably bright season, has yet to demonstrate he has what it takes to lead a team and develop a car.

Regards

[Johnny]

Congratulations Kimi!

You -and Ferrari, really deserve both W C&D championship crowns.

Congratulations to Ferrari!

What we saw today was the demonstration that F1 champ is a team's matter:

1. Great race by Kimi.
2. Extreme generosity from Felipe.
3. Perfect Teamwork.
4. Best cars around.

This is what Scuderia Ferrari has shown throughout the recent season and a bitter lesson to learn for McLaren.

----------------------

I feel bitter sorrow for Fernando, who has been "raced" by his own boss.

The worst shame on RD, who has chosen himself to throw MM's chances off the window, with NH's invaluable help.

At any other place, this bloody affair should end up flushing the tank to tidy the organization up ASAP.

RD should resign immediately, NH should be replaced by a fresh and upright exec to reset the team before it's too late for it to recover from disaster.

And please, Ron, Max, Bernie: please give up this outrageous last try against F1 sports. You better check your own behavior during this season and best let KR celebrate his pretty well deserved WDC. Could you three behave as sportive as FA? No you can't... YOU CANNOT. YOU ARE NOT JUST ABLE TO.

---------------------------------

Thanks to Paul (McCartney):

Oh yeah, all right
are you going to be in my dreams
tonight?
.
.
.
.
.
And in the end
the love you take
is equal to the love you make.

[Jordi]

SIMON
..But then when I was down-shifting into turn four, the car just slammed into neutral...(Hamilton)

That's bad luck!! it happens to my wife all the time.

[josito]

1.- Probably I'm biased in Alonso's favour, mainly because I still didn't find a partial media that treats Formula1 like it should. Under my point of view, Ed's blog support clearly Hamilton (some months ago much more than lately), and the spanish sporting media I use to read is sometimes also radical about their point of view. As I have not all the data to make a exact opinion, I trust a little bit more the spanish media than the brit's one just because I understand spanish, but I don't perform so well with english. So I detect spanish exagerations better than brit's ones. So my final perception is that "something" harmed Alonso during this season (sometimes even the FIA resolutions). So for me the best result is Kimmi's victory, both because he deserves it as he was one of the three able to win in the last race; and also to show McLaren and the media that none of their protégées could win.
2.- AS RESPONSE TO SIMON: Alonso's handicaps during the 2 last races where strange, while Hamilton's ones (except today when the car almost stops, what a pity it didn't :-P) were Hamilton failures. So your theory of conspiration against Hamilton is still to poor :-P.
3.- I think one of the most interesting stages of the season starts now: where Alonso will drive the next season. ANY BETS???

[Michael Bowen]

Ah, so no penalty for violating that rule. Let's see.....no penalty for having the technical equivalent of a mass damper with their moveable floor in the first race (which Kimi won), and since Renault had been required to remove the mass damper system in THEIR car the year before, clearly Ferrari knew they were verbotten (as was, for that matter, a floor that moved...which WAS stipulated in the rules), so no penalty here even though they were knowingly cheating. And here even though two teams were doing something specifically banned BECAUSE it can offer an advantage, there's no penalty either....which benefits Ferrari. Clearly there is evidence of wrongdoing, but no penalty. Yet, the FIA finds no evidence that Maclaren gained any advantage over an employee obtaining a Ferrari document AFTER their car was designed and built and Maclaren is fined a gazillion bucks and is stripped of all points even though there is not ANY evidence of advantage being gained.

Very interesting. The Spanish Contingent goes on continuously about a "conspiracy in the FIA" to benefit Hamilton, yet if Ferrari had been penalized for KNOWINGLY cheating in Australia then Alonso would have won the World Championship. And if there had been a penalty here then at least his teammate would have won. There's a conspiracy in the FIA all right, but it doesn't have anything to do with helping Hamilton (as this case clearly demonstrates).

That's why Formula One isn't a sport, it's a business.....

[AJ]

Prost's comments some days ago sound now like a prediction.

[Kimi]

I want to thank my team, my sponsors and specially Felipe Massa for not being like Lewis Hamilton.

I want also to thank Mr. Dennis and Lewis Hamilton. And, of course, Anthony Hamilton for Hungary.

Thank you all for making it possible.

[Anthony]

I still can't believe that Kimi and Ferrari were able to do something (coming back from 3rd to win the championship on the last day), that hasn't been done since F1's first year in 1950. Absolutely amazing!

But, what I can not believe even more is how two-faced Ron Dennis and McLaren really are, and how so many people still buy their B.S.

Their reason for appealing the whole fuel-temperature decision to NOT penalize the 3 drivers in front of Hamilton, is apparently for "clarification".

Personally, I don't see any way in which that decision could be reversed. The stewards logic was sound, appropriate and just, and I think McLaren know this. They are appealing this decision out of spite, and that is sickening.

This is another example of how McLaren have put the sport in disrepute this season. It wasn't enough that they cheated and were caught, it wasn't enough that Dennis couldn't control his drivers exposing far too much information that should have been personal, now they want to put the icing on the cake by intentionally disrupting and delaying a justly deserved championship and celebration of their former driver all for selfish reasons.

It's shows a lack of respect to Kimi and to the sport, and quite frankly, they should penalized out of principle for this kind of behavior.

If the FIA do reverse the no-penalty call, and Hamilton is crowned champion, it would prove the FIA and Formula One are nothing more than a terrible joke and a disgrace to all of the great drivers, teams and memories of the past.

Everyone (as Alonso has recently been quoted as saying), should hang their heads in shame if this were to happen.

Why McLaren can not accept their defeat with at least a little bit of integrity is beyond me.

[CHIUNDA]

All i can say is that McLaren as a team need to re-evaluate itself to determine whether they have what it takes to win championships. You would think they would not blunder after what they experienced in China, but alas! Their careless attitude towards such an important race is and was appalling. What a shame! But after seeing this disorganization with Kimi in years past, i guess it was always easier for McLaren not to win.

[Nadie]

Congratulations Kimi! This was the best for the sport. I hope next year, these three good drivers get a good car. It's going to be amazing!

[john]

Well done Kimi a no nonsense very fast driver. Lewis had an amazing season in his first year and beat a double world champion. Lewis Hamilton will win the championship and I am sure Kimi will again. Alonso back to Renault and Flavio and he has selected me as his team mate. I am proud to have been selected - but he might be surprised and I will not put up with being 2nd best!

[CHIUNDA]

ED, nice to see you still got a sense of humour after sunday!!! :-))

[Leo]

Mclaren really made the wrong decision this season by relying on a rookie to give them the WDC title. It has shown in Brazil GP how immature Lewis in handling this situation yet. I don't agree that he is ready yet to be WDC. He could have won the title in China, he could have won the title by staying behind Alonso after he past him in Brazil GP. But NOOOOO!! he is so arrogant and immature that he cannot accept the fact that someone has overtaken him. So he tried to overtake Alonso back which leads to him running wide and what happened next! CATASTHROPY!

[Luis]

I expect Ron Dennis to quit. He bet for the wrong driver, and he kept delusional thinking his chosen driver would be up to the job. Hamilton will be remembered as a great driver, indeed he is. But he will never be a champion. To be a champion you don't need to drive well, but to drive well under PRESSURE.

My prediction for next year: Hamilton and Alonso both at McLaren, Ron resigns, and a fresh air comes to F1.

[Lab]

Congrats Kim!!! you're the ONE...

Alonso frustrated? Don't think so...

[jg]

Dear Ed,

It would be easy to laugh on Mclaren and Hamilton´s fate but I think that time comes to think about what happened this season.

1. Hamilton did a very good season (stunning if he had not screwed this way in the two last races) and has big talent. Will the title loss affect him in the future? No one knows...
2. Alonso is satisfied. Being 2nd when you had this feud with you own team. He can surely believe that he gave everything but that his team did not help too much.
3. Mclaren : 90% of the people outside England wanted Mclaren to loose. I have never seen that in any sport, never! I will be gratefull if anybody shows me another example. Ron Denis should think about that. Because I am sure that Vodafone, Mercedes, Banco Santander and the other sponsors are surely thinking about it in this moment.
5. I think it´s time that RD leaves and let Mercedes running the team.
Norbert Haug and Martin Whitmarsh should leave too. Everybody laughs at Mclaren right now, the situation is hilarious. I would not be very proud of this team right now...
6. What will happen with Fernando? Everything was set so Hamilton won the WDC and Alonso looking like being dumped by MCL, but now the "choosen one" lost. What will happen now?

Well, congratulations to Ferrari and Kimi´s fans
Onnea to Finnish fans

[Agustin]

Don´t worry Ron. You can buy the number 1 again... and throw it away, again...and reclaim BMW again...and change the pressures again...what a shame!!!

[Carlos B.]

I have read in Autosport that Mclaren has appealed against the FIA decission yesterday not to impose penalties on BMW and Williams.

What is Mclaren doing? Do they want to win the Championship at the FIA HQ in Paris rather than where championships are won ? (at the tracks, in case somebody forgot). If Mclaren appeal succeeds and Raikkonen is stripped of the WDC and handed over to Hamilton, it will be a poisonous gift for Hamilton, as if there was little doubt about the FIA preferences, he will be remembered as the most tainted champion ever.

I don't think the FIA will destroy its own reputation further more in this case, they have helped Hamilton as much as they could, but the FIA gang knows well that if they rule towards punishing BMW and Williams, they will fall apart with most of the teams, who may well run a parallel Championship to get away from the FIA and their inconsistent and biased rulings.

The FIA has punished Hamilton's rivals with little or no evidence, Alonso in Hungary was punished for what it is considered an internal team affair, Kubica was punished for taking Hamilton out in a fashion seen a thousand times before, the crane that Charlie Whiting sent to Lewis in Germany, putting other drivers at risk (it seems is more important to put Lewis back on track that looking after the safety of other drivers, Liuzzi can tell), the safety car episode in China, the blocking of Raikkonen in Interlagos during his flying lap (Alonso was sent from 3rd to 10th of the Monza grid last year for a lot less than that, impeding Massa, who was 100 meters behind, what should have done the FIA to Hamilton this time if they followed the same set of rules on this ocassion?)

In the end, Hamilton blew it, with the help of the team, and instead of entering the History books as the youngest ever champion, he will enter the books instead as the championship leader who gave away the greatest difference ever, 17 points, going in to the last two races.

He just could not bear the view of Alonso overtaking him on the inside of turn 3, and outbroke himself on the next corner, falling to 8th position. It is unsure why the gearshift box failed, though Pedro de La Rosa, who was watching the race in the Mclaren pit, said that the team engineers thought the hydraulic system overheated as the air vents took some debris in during Hamilton's trip across the grass in the first lap.

I thought i heard Hamilton saying he was the real Iceman, and he also said he'd learned the lesson from Shanghai…, well neither of these…, he is a good driver, though not every good driver is up to the task of winning the WDC, you need a combination of factors…, and next year Hamilton will possibly realize that the combination of factors do rarely come into place at the same time, is not by chance that Mclaren has won only 2 WDC in the last 15 years or so, wining a WDC is an enormous task, and if you have it within your grasp, you need to make sure you don't screw up, as you don't know when you will have the next chance. And also, you DO NOT start talking about celebrations, about keeping the trophy and about visiting Senna's grave before you have finished off the job.

If Mclaren wishes to know where they lost the championship, they need to look back as far as Hungary. That was the point when Hamilton thought of himself as the man being capable to deliver to his employers, who funded his racing for the last 10 years, a Drivers Championship. Hamilton did not respect the team agreement, and not happy with that, declared against his own team. FIA supported Hamilton, Alonso was sent to 5th position of the grid, and in the process, he lost anything between 3 to 5 five points. If you take into account that Raikkonen won the championship by 1 point, those points removed from Alonso in Hungary are the points that Mclaren is ultimately missing in order to win the WDC.

Tough luck…, not sure whether it will be regretted by Ron Dennis and the way he runs his team, but certainly some of the team sponsors and the rest of Mclaren shareholders may not be happy about it.

And as for you Ed, i guess Lewis made you erase your already written chronicle, and change the headlines from: "Hamilton becomes the youngest F1 and first rookier ever Champion, new Michael Schumacher wins his first title" for this other one "Hamilton blows it Big Time, new Jenson Button in the making?"

The funniest of all this, is listening to Anthony Hamilton talking about how good is that Lewis did not win the Championship on his first year, as it would have been too much to bear…, yeah right, i'm sure Hamilton has an ego big enough to cope with that…

[Oliver]

Apart from that, Dennis has appealed some FIA decission... Poor man.
Will British press lynch Lewis Hamilton? I think so. Here we have another Button. I hope he can stand it.

[Nanev]

Impressive, awsome: your prestigious, serious paper, saying that McLaren has been unfairly treated by FIA and stewards during the season!!! Chicanes driven trough, cranes on track, blockings in the way out of pits, slowing and hard braking in rain conditions, spionage, fight against their own number one pilot, bad decisions in China, wrong tyres pressures... Oh, what a shame! Maybe your grandeur is finished, home of pirates. And, dear Mr. Hill: It has not been McLaren as a team the victim of stewards, but Alonso. As a matter of fact, It was daddy Hamilton who sued McLaran at Hungaroring, wasn't he? Ok, anyway: thanks for the laughing times, and greetings from Spain... and from Finland and Italy, I guess.

[JACOB]

Ron Dennis have been talking the hold season about EQUITY... (in english that means help the bad driver to have the same chance as the champion one)

Congratulation Ron you just achived it: Hamilton 109 Alonso 109

[musromm]

Gosh so Kim won.... and we brits lost..well at least hamilton still had the decency to smile afterwards and thank his fans for their support. It would kill Kimi to smile and appreciate his fans wouldnt it. The iceman?/ more the most up my own a*** man ive ever seen in my life, and that voice? Does it have more than one boring tone? Hes a PR nightmare and will drive any new people to F1 away in droves. I will say it was a remarkable win as he was so far behind at one point, so yes I concede hes a fair driver, but isnt it a shame that it was won because Hamiltons car wasnt running correctly rather than a proper battle to see who was the better driver. Bit of a hollow victory that, so I guess thats why most people on here have to back it up with slating the british.. oh and guys try learning how to spell properly before you post your comment!

[joan]

Congratulations to Kimi and Hamilton for the good season, and for being gentlemen on the tracks.

Regarding the Spanish crew, there is no hope for you. There is nothing I can say which explains properly my disgust and your moral poverty.

To the rest of the world, do come to Catalunya, this is not Spain, so do not get frightened by what you have read in this blog.

[D. Miranda]

Great job Ron!! Your "equality" strategy should be a compulsory business case simulation at management schools:
"how do you do things worse than that??:The Ronnie tales"

[Felix]

I was rooting for Kimi, so I'm pleased with the outcome of the championship.

But I completely agree with what Carlos B. has posted though I can't stand Alonso. A very, very inteligent comment in my opinion.

[afestenevo]

1/ Congratulations to Räikkönen!

2/ Shame on FIA, Ecclestone and McLaren for the pitiful show produced this year.

Up to the end McLaren is dreadful and offering a awful image.
Even in the defeat they are unable to provide a honourable behaviour.

M. Dennis, Haug, Whitmarsh are driving even further down McLaren with the appeal they open to FIA against Honda & BMW.

Not one ounce of dignity. Miserable.

They have screwed it up so badly until the last second.

Pretty tough time for the British sport.
After Russia defeated its Football team, they are not in a favourable position for qualifying in Euro 2008.

Rugby team lost against Springboks in the world cup. Ok, they reached the final.

F1, Hamilton shooted up alone its advantageous options.

[Joseote]

"we were not racing Kimi, we were basically racing Fernando"....Good work Mr. Denis, you raced the wrong man. :P

There are differences between "being a team" and "being in a team", aren't there?

You wanted equality, so that's what you got, 109 point apiece.

And now, I must say that after all, I can't believe how Hamilton has lost the championship just for the temptation of beating Alonso in the two races and demons6rating that he (Lewis) is the strongest driver of the team. He should have stopped in china to change the tyres, even if he had lost one or two positions, he would almost have secured the title. And in this race, he should have waited his opportunity of securing the title while defending it behind Alonso. I think this two mistakes were due to the fact that both him and the team wanted to humilliate and frustrate Alonso a little bit more.

But Ed, I think Alonso is not frustrated, I think he were almost happy. I hope he goes to Renault even if he do not win a single race next year. They can have a nor much competitive car and not much money to pay, but at least, they really appreciate and defend him. I think many Fernando's fan think on the same line, if you watched the people that was supporting Fernando yesterday both in Brasil and in different concentrations in Spain, they were mainly wearing the old Renault blue shirt, and very very few the new grey McLaren-Mercedes one.

[beebluu]

Lewis, Ron, Max and Bernie go home!!

[M Gupta]

The one thing that struck me reading all these comments was just how hated the English/Hamilton/Mclaren are by everyone else. Could it be because the English are so arrogant and so stupid as to think of themselves as a superior strain of the human genome? Must be painful when reality smacks them in the face! And the rest of the world relishes it with barely disguised glee!

[keiko]

Kimi Congratulations!
We could see amazing story today.
and I'm so happy that you smile ^^

[Susana]

Mc Laren had a champion who was Alonso. They were very ungrateful with him and now they have what they deserve themselves. Alonso please, go of this team of cheaters who the only thing that they wanted was that Hamilton with traps won.
Alonso continues being a great champion.
Felicidades Kimi and Ferrari, you have won cleanly.

[Jamie]

I too cannot believe that Mclaren can be so lame as feel the need to appeal against the FIA verdict on the "cool fuel".Who the hell do they think they are kidding.They along with stunningly immature driver errors from "Golden Boy" chucked the WDC away all by themselves. Lets not forget they were,I think,very lucky to be allowed to keep thier drivers in the championship at all after the spying fiasco.I think the FIA have been very tolerant if not even generous to Mclaren this season and it is time they got over it and just accept they lost.

[Mario]

Justice is done!!!!!
The Best Driver has won the World Title.
Kimi Raikkonnen is World Champion and with Ferrari not McLaren...
Long live the Champion!!!!!!!!

I hope Mr Ron Dennis decide to resign and let somebody else with Honesty and Integrity take the helm of McLaren.

[victor]

What a disaster! And now they claim on cooled fuel...still they have not learned the lesson.

Listen Ron&Norbert, Golden Boy lost because his own mistakes ( please review the last two races) and because your arrogant incompetence and poor management.

Having plenty of resources, best cars and best driver (Fernando), you have achieved the following:

- Out of Constructors Championship and 100 million less because spying over the true champions ( FERRARI).
- Nothing on the drivers championship.Because of your "equality policy" has gone only in one direction , this towards Lewis.Why Fernando´s car was not going OK in the last part of the season?Also please do not forget that the fuel for human beings is love and to take care.Mobbing is not the way.
- Wasted resources from your sponsors, that now can face more economic loses as their image is tainted because your actions.Please remember that you are using their money and in some way "managing their images".They will not pardon this and accept never this to happen. Do you think that they are in their business just to give you the money to waste?
- Many enemies all over as you have shown you true face.Ask the French journalist you made to cry this weekend?
- Criminal charges in Italy that can send you to jail and affect MacMerc in the next seasons. I hope that justice in Italy is "blind" and we can see that truth prevails.
- A destroyed team for next year. If Fernando stays and you have the same policy this will destroy a lot of value for your team and sponsors, and if he goes you lost the very best driver that you can find today in the market and he will go to your competitors. Any case you are going to lose.Other option to keep Fernando is that you resign or you are fired out ( this also can happen).
- Economic value destroyed for McMerc shareholders and sponsors. You waste not only your money but others.This needs no explanation.
- Weak position. Ron&Norbert, do you realize that many people are attacking your actions, laughing at your failure? They do not have respect for you and that is the worst that can happen to anyone.Also to consider that in your team and withing your shareholders, not all the people agree with you and for sure they are questioning what you have done.

Your case it is clear: You did assign the resources that others gave to you in the wrong way because your poor management and petulance.

Now you have what you deserve and better is to accept it and resign before your shareholders, that seems to live in other world, realize what has happened and fire you out.

Lewis will never had another chance like this.And with your actions and poor control of the situation you can spoil him. Still he is young and has to build his character.

Regarding British press, it really stinks what they write but I appreciate this blog as I can learn English.

Ed, you should also learn the lesson .Thanks for this blog. And to all the Britons that are insulting to Spain please do not consider this as nothing personal.

Fernando get rid of them and go to TOYOTA. Yes!, TOYOTA is the best movement and do not worry about their performance this year, unless you can go to Ferrari.

TOYOTA has plenty of resources, they are the leader in the world market and they want to bet for you. Many times it is not important what you are but what you want to be and if you have the capabilities to perform.TOYOTA wants to be and has resources. Forget Renault that has no commitment to F1 and Flavio is the only one that wants you. What a mistake for Ferrari to allow Fernando to go to TOYOTA if happens.

TOMA, TOMA, TOMA! Me lo pasé como nunca.

[JACOB]

Jordy; There is a third possibility: Mclaren may have to pay alonso to break the contract... What a pity...

Andy G must be hidden with the Hamiltons and Dennis somewhere...

By the way, there are saying that Ron Dennis wants to sell Mclaren to Emilio Botin (Santander)
Some people believe the team do not have the money to face the spy scandal, another that Mercedes want to buy it and are using the Santander as a middleman... They just don´t want to be seing as the "bad germans" buying the english team... After one or two years they will buy it to Santander and everybody happy..

[Angel]

should mclaren have behaved at interlagos as ferrari did, lewis would now be the champ. should he had focused on finishing fourth, rather than childly and recklessly trying to advance fernando, he would again now be the champion. should ferrari had behaved at interlagos as mclaren did, now fernando would be world champion for the third time in a row. kimi was just too lucky that ron and lewis totally missed the point. ron probably throughout the entire year. congrats to kimi, shame on ron. mclaren's sponsors should force him out. lewis, great driver, but if you count the points he made after hungaroring (when he was left alone without the advantage of fernando's inside info) he would only have ranked fourth, after kimi, fernando and felipe. if this is all lewis and ron can do on a stand alone basis that will not be sufficient for him to make it for next year. as to fernando, i think he cannot stay with either ron or lewis. he needs to drive within a "real team" again and he will not have that at mclaren unless both of them shall be out. strange but exciting season for f1. let's hope we fix the w-ron-gdoings next year but that we do not miss the excitment.

[Helen]

Hi , my 1st post here but i had to comment, i am British, but not patriotic, i love ferrari and always followed them since i was young,

i think Alonso is a fantastic driver and if kimi didnt win the title i feel alonso also deserved it, Lewis H is Ron's little baby, he has been there for him since he was young, and basically been there for Lewis when things got tough. Fernando and all the drivers have had to stand on their own 2 feet and learn how to handle the different situations that F1 bring,

i feel Alonso has really has been overlooked as a driver at Mclaren and I really can understand why he has acted the way he has in the press, yeah its good to see two drivers in the same team doing well but what i dont like is one being favoured above the other and the other feel like he's been pushed out
the team should change its name to Vodafone Mclaren Hamilton

Anyway Congrats kimi, you deserved it, and congrats to Jean Todt for another season of great team work!

Ron do me a favour and phone jean and get him to give you tips on how to act like a team instead of a LH fanclub!!!

[D]

Whilst not wishing to denigrate Kimi in any way whatsoever, it needs to be remembered that his firtst win of the season, at Melbourne, was achieved in a car which the Nigel Stepney letter states was know by Ferrari to be illegal when they raced it.

Unless and until the FIA investigates that claim, and acts upon any truth found in that allegation, both the FIA and its championships remain fundamentally flawed and tarnished.

If, moreover, McLaren was fined $100,000,000 and denied all its points for competing with a car that was legal (irrespective of how it obtained the knowhow to build it) what should be the penalty for knowingly competing with a car that was illegal?

These questions are outstanding and need to be addressed.

[Flying Dutchman]

McLaren discredit the Formula 1 sport in so many ways. As a long time fan I’m appalled. Ron Dennis go home!!!! Some journalists are to blame for creating a poisonous atmosphere in McLaren by publishing half truths, rumours and blatant lies. They have been used by Ron Dennis in this. This “sport” needs a major overhaul. It’s currently as the French say a sport of deux vitesse (referring to doping abuse in cycling), two different speeds. Some that can control the FIA have a major advantage. After the Americans others will turn their back on this circus, even the Asians in the end.

[andy71]

Mc Laren have lost all sense of decency (if they had any left at all).

Ron, Lewis, Norbert Haug - BE DECENT and let this disgusting charade with the appeal go. Especially the good guys at Mercedes Benz - you supplied Mc Laren with a fantastic technical package, lots of money and full support - listen to this: I WILL NEVER buy a Mercedes or Smart car in my whole life if Mc Laren win this appeal. And I bet you can kiss goodbye to your market share in Spain, Portugal and Italy too. And your reputation will be forever tarnished by associating yourselves with this bunch of disgusting mafiosi headed by Ron "scarface" Dennis.

BE DECENT - show at least that you can be good losers. You lost in the courts and shamed yourselves with the cheating affair, and now you want to usurp a title that you clearly lost on the track - YOU DISGUST ME, RON DENNIS.

[eija]

Congratulations to Kimi and team Ferrari. You did it! Justice won! For the first time RD did something good for Kimi! Thanks for the bad attmosphere in his team, his big ego not to learn from his mistakes and know how to support the rookie when the fight get harder...this is too familiar to us Finns for the previous years, when Kimi was in McLoser. Now with Ferrari the sky is the limit! Onnea Kimi! Just Great! Your fan for ever!

[Al_scotland]

So many bitter spaniards with dumb comments. If Alonso is going to race Ha,milton and deny him the title, he MUST go on and win it himself, which he didnt. Now he looks like the little kid who says "If im not winning it, then your not either". Thus Ferrari win, and Alonso looks like an amateur. Lets not forget all Alonso rookie crashes and errors trying to match Hamiltons pace this season. McLaren should sack Alonso, not a team player and cost McLaren the drivers Title. Well donr Kimi tho, props.

[Si Y]

Fernando Alonso in the FIA press conference after the race:

"I had a fantastic car, a very competitive car, great sponsors in the team..."
"...the team did a fantastic job to have a competitive car in 2007 and so I was able to fight until the last race to win the world championship and I finished one point behind the champion. So in that aspect I think it has been a very positive season..."
"...I think we lost a lot of points in Canada with a seventh place, I had a mistake in Japan and I didn’t finish the race in the wet. So one or two points in some of those races and it would have changed the picture completely..."
"...From the team I am very convinced they tried to give the same cars for both drivers, the correct approach..."

A complete change of tune - maybe nobody else can afford to pay him next year and he needs to get back on the right side of his employers!
BUT Just a few hours later, FA was talking to Spanish radio (Cadena Ser - via http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/63581) and changed his mind again:

"McLaren lost the championship probably because of some of the decisions they took, especially in the second half of the season. It's no secret that they haven't helped me a lot... In the last races both my hands and feet have been tied. I didn't have any power. I had to do it all the way they said and that made it harder to close the gap."

Is Fernando completely stupid? Does he think he's the only person in the F1 world who can understand two languages? Why does he continue to tell Spain he was wronged by McLaren, when he quite openly tells the world's media he was very happy with McLaren's treatment of him? He needs to grow up, and decide which "truth" he wants to tell.