The start of the GP of Belgum was the most illuminating 20 seconds of the 2007 F1 season. An all Ferrari front row saw Kimi Raikkonen, and Felipe Masa maintain position to finish one and two. The second row saw the defending, two-time champ in Fernando Alonso do everything possible to make sure that teammate, and series points leader Lewis Hamilton did not pass him.
The move was blatent.
A wheel-banging move so extreme that it forced Hamilton onto a grass partition seperating the outside racing line from a runnoff area, which Hamilton used to get back on track. Raikkonen, Massa, Alonso and Hamilton would hold form to finsh in the same positions they started. The Ferrari 1-2 clinched the F1 manufacturers championship for the prancing horse. For McLaren who is now fighting for the only title that F1 will allow them to, (the drivers title) the fight for third and fourth at Spa was the one worth watching, and it will continue to be for the final three races of the F1 season at Japan, China and Brazil.
Get your popcorn (or oatmeal) ready. This is going to be worth getting up for at some obsene hour of the morning to look at. In Hamilton and Alonso you now have two drivers who clearly do not care for eachother, fighting for a title that only one can win. Hamilton, the young upstart, has held the points lead for most of the F1 season. Alonso is a guy with momentum and fire in his eyes. A man who desparately wants a three-peat, and obviously does not care about who's feelings he may bruise to win.
The line is simple: Hamilton 97 pts. - Alonso 95 pts.
The McLarens have shown tremendous reliability, and that will be the basis for the stretch run. Even if Ferrari wins the final three races, all eyes will be fixed on the Silver Arrows of Hamilton, and Alonso. Alonso must at least finish one place in front of Hamilton in each of the last three races to win the title, making this the most compelling drama that F1 has seen in years.
Danielle Steele could not write better drama.
Alonso wears the black hat - willingly. The defending champion has accused the English-based McLaren of favoring the Englishman Hamilton over him, has intentionally blocked Hamilton from winning the pole position at the Hungarian GP, and in recent weeks, has been rumored of providing damaging information to the FIA that ultimately brought punitive action against McLaren, thus costing them the manufacturers championship, and a hundred million dollars in fines. His last win at Monza two weeks ago even saw Alonso snub his crew as he took the checkered flag, when not making the ceremonial salute pass along the pit wall.
This is clearly not Mr. Happy.
Hamilton has simply been magnificent as a rookie driver. Not expected to be a contender for the title, Hamilton has advanced every time Alonso had a misstep. The Alonso/Hamilton fight has been taxing on McLaren team principal Ron Dennis. Dennis groomed Hamilton for the job at McLaren, but also spent a lot of money to get Alonso from Renault. Placed In a dificult situation, Hamilton has shown great cool while also showing a great will to win. Staring down a defending world champion in the process.
The last three races are critical to both drivers. Neither can afford a gaff in either race. Hamilton, even as leader in points must be as aggressive as Alonso to hold on to the smallest of leads. This would be compelling even if Alonso and Hamilton did not wear the same uniform, but as teammates the drama is further hyped. The question is whether the team truely favors either driver. In a season where controversy has been their constant companion, two great drivers must ignore it all in a fight for the right to be called champion.
Make sure that alarm clock is set!