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From The Times

October 22, 2007

Champagne on ice after celebratory parties crashed

Matt Dickinson, Chief Sports Correspondent

The third kick in the guts administered to English sports fans was the most direct hit of the lot. If watching the national football team collapse in Moscow was painful, this was torture. The long wait to discover if Mark Cueto had scored a try in the rugby union World Cup final was a bit of light relief compared with the traumas of watching Lewis Hamilton fall short.

The agonising tension was prolonged deep into the night as the FIA stewards looked into possible breaches of regulations while rumours, which were to prove unfounded, swirled around that the finishing positions might be overturned in Hamilton’s favour. No one could believe that there would be another twist, but they had seen too much this season to rule it out.

The din is so deafening at Interlagos that it threatens to knock over the ramshackle houses that back on to the perimeter wall — yet you could still hear the gasps as this race unfolded. The gasps when Hamilton slid off the track seconds into the race and the disbelief on lap eight when he was stuck in neutral and drifting along at walking pace. Rocking to and fro in the cockpit, he looked like a man trying to shake life into an old banger.

There were exclamations every time Hamilton’s charge from the back took him wheel to wheel with those who stood between him and the world championship. He surged up the field from eighteenth to seventh, but with a good few laps to go it was obvious that it would not be enough.

In the sweltering heat of Brazil, it was the stunning climax that this season demanded — but almost as extraordinary as the race was what happened afterwards. As crestfallen Englishmen walked around in a state of shock, it was Team Hamilton who took on the job of cheering them up.

First out of the McLaren Mercedes garage was Anthony to insist that the word disappointment would not be in their vocabulary. “I am proud of my son,” he said. “We’ve proved that we’re here to stay.” Not long afterwards came Lewis himself. “It’s been a crazy year and I honestly can’t say I’m gutted. I’m not,” he said. Hamilton may have learnt a few painful lessons in the past few weeks, but in terms of showing the world how to accept disappointment, this was a masterclass in keeping your chin up.

The Hamiltons were so unfailingly upbeat that it was fair to wonder if it was an elaborate façade to hide the most colossal despair. Away from the cameras, was Lewis breaking down in tears? Was Anthony seeking somebody to blame for the fateful gearbox glitch that cost his son?

But then you remember that there is no sportsman on earth seemingly more certain of his destiny than the 22-year-old from Stevenage in Hertfordshire. As he said on the eve of the race in São Paulo: “I was born to do this.” Hamilton and his father truly believe that it is their destiny to change the face of Formula One.

“The way we’ve come in and done things with a smile on our faces, the way we’ve been appreciative of this opportunity, we’ve shown others how to do it,” Anthony said. “They’re the ones who’ve had to raise their game. Lewis has set an example for others to follow.”

Hamilton Jr had even talked earlier this season of his regret at the retirement of Michael Schumacher because he wants to pit himself against the best. He was already thinking about his place in the pantheon.

Across southern Europe, they will delight in pointing out the presumption in those words and they will argue, too, that a season of conspiracies had been notable, in the final analysis, for some McLaren cock-ups. There was the huge error by team and driver in Shanghai that left Hamilton in the gravel — and while mechanical failure was decisive yesterday, Hamilton also betrayed his youthful recklessness on lap one.

There has been a raggedness about the whole of the McLaren team as the pressure has told in recent weeks. And Anthony was pushing his luck when he talked of second place as part of the masterplan. “In a strange way, I think it is good that it has worked out this way,” he said. He had already convinced himself that winning as rookie would have been too much, too soon. But there can be no doubting the steeliness in his son. When a French female journalist tried to take him to task over the weekend for blocking Kimi Raikkonen in qualifying, Hamilton gave as good as he got. “What do you want me to do? Put on the indicators?” he asked. When she pushed her luck, he was withering. “How are you at your job? You’ve never made mistakes, no?”

Perhaps she will feel as though she had the last laugh, but Hamilton continued to be relentlessly upbeat as he spoke just a few yards from where Ferrari were celebrating their triumph. “To think that I’ve come from GP2 and am now ranked second in the world is a positive thing,” he said. “I go into next year full of confidence. I’ll be a lot stronger, even better prepared.” But even Hamilton’s self-confidence may take a few months to recover from this disappointment.

So near, yet so far

They came, they saw, they whimpered. Sporting history is littered with the detritus of nearly men, who, when presented with the jaws of victory, recoiled like nervous dental patients and opted for defeat instead. So, as we struggle to come to terms with the fact that Lewis Hamilton’s title assault went off track in São Paulo, here’s a reminder that we’ve seen it all before – and then some . . .

Newcastle United The season is 1995-96 and Kevin Keegan’s rejuvenated side are strolling towards the top-flight title with a 15-point lead over Manchester United. Alex Ferguson fuels the Old Trafford revival by suggesting that teams are trying harder against his side than against Newcastle, Mighty Mouse lets rip in return with a televised rant at his rival and within a few weeks a simple psychological trick turns the formbook on its head.

Greg Norman In the opening round of the 1996 Masters at Augusta, Greg Norman had a course-record 63. Three days later he blew a six-shot lead as Nick Faldo won by five strokes.

Jimmy White Always the pink ball, never the black. The Whirlwind finished runner-up at the World Championship more times than any player in the modern game, but perhaps the biggest flop came in the last frame of the 1994 final. With a straightforward black to put the title beyond Stephen Hendry’s reach, White missed his target by half a cue length.

Jana Novotna Nobody likes to see a woman cry, but Novotna blubbed like a newborn baby the day she handed the Wimbledon singles title to Steffi Graf. Leading 6-7, 6-1, 4-1 and 40-30, the Czech was half a glass of Robinson’s Barley Water from her lifelong dream. Ten minutes later she had lost – and the waterworks were turned on in earnest.

Gavin Hastings Here’s one to cheer up the rugby fans – south of the border. In the 1991 World Cup semi-final at Murrayfield, Scotland’s Mr Reliable had a penalty in front of the posts to put the home team 9-6 ahead. Inexplicably, he missed – and England were in the final. Unfortunately they lost to Australia – but then this isn’t really a day for good news.

What's the difference between F1 and wrestling?

This was such a blatantly obvious FIX - McLaren had their constructor points removed but not the drivers' on the condition that Raikonnen would be allowed to win the Drivers' Champ. It was even more blatant in contriving the last race to put Alonso & Hamilton on equal points with the most ridiculous series of unbelievable McLaren cock-ups. This from the supposedly most professionally run team in F1.

PHILM, London,

1st negative think about Hammilton was anoying publicity that England media gave him at the beggining.
2nd was his behaviour at Monaco. I never saw any overtakings there, still remember Coulthard in McLaren stuck behind Arrows half of race, but Hammilton... he could overtake Alonso? And to make that public... please...
3rd was the crane stuff at Silverstone
4th Incident with Alonso while fighting for pole position.
5th Not breaking on time and then overtaking Massa by cutting shicane in Monza (no penatly, probably 1st time in F1 history, not to mention that it was 2nd place in the 1st corner of race)
6th Trying similar "overtaking" in SPA with Alonso and then blaming him (probably because Alonso did not move from his way)
7th Craziest driving behind safaty car that I ever saw, actually just one more proof of his spoilness and arogance.
8th blocking Raikkonen and then asking "should he put indicator" (still remember last year with Alonso 98m in front of Massa being penalised).

Sly, Belgrade, Serbia

From my "spanish" point of view, Hamilton was clearly the best in most of previous class series. In that respect Alonso behaviour has been miserable. His lack of competitiveness and generosity have been balanced by his efforts to destroy his team relationships. At the end of the day the ones that pay him.

Roger, Madrid, Spain

Dennis wanted to maintain his first option untill the end putting in a short leash Alonso. He thought it was a success guarantie. Poor dummy. Maybe like mechanic he would be better.

santiago carrillo, Riba del manzanares, Belgium

For sport's sake:

Let RD and NH buy neighbor villas in the Costa del Sol and help themselves to a golden retirement. Buy them a couple of brand new sets of golf clubs, for us (and them) to better enjoy an interesting 2008 F1 season.

When I first came to watch the Spanish Grand Prix as a kid back in '68 I couldn't even figure out how this sport would evolve. But for sure, I'd rather prefer to listen to drivers like Graham than Damon: better, smarter, classier. Should someone go back to school, it's not me.

Johnny, Manjatan, Spain / Madrid

Blah, blah, blah.

"Southern Europe", as you say, is not very happy: just by supporting Alonso as they should have done, would have given him the WDC, perhaps secured since Shanghai GP.

We can show anger for RD's and NH's behavior throughout the season, despective against FA, with lack of executive or managerial manners, and ruining McLaren Mercedes' chances to win both titles in a row.

Should the board act consequently, RD and NH must be "flushed" immediately, before december. Maybe this way MM will be reset to perform a decent season.

Johnny, Manjatan, Spain / Madrid

It is good for Formula 1 that Hamilton did not win the championship this year - not because he didn't deserve it, but because it would be overshadowed by the consistent bad press that he has received from many sources during the year, and because of the fierce jealousy that many drivers on the grid would feel for years to come. Hopefully he can get the job done next year, when others will be more willing to accept his talent.

It is equally good for Formula 1 that Alonso did not win the championship this year - I genuinely thought he was a deserving champion in 2005 and 06, but his behaviour this year (which we have all seen with our own eyes in television interviews and the like, not just in biased reports in the British press) has been nothing short of despicable.

Congratulations Kimi, a well-deserved championship win.

Chris, Bristol,

Hamilton will be back next year, no doubt about it! Great year, young man!

P Chen, nanchang, china

what about the responsabilty that he team manager for the loss of the team and driverÂ´s championship.?. Do not blame it on others ,be brave to look a the right responsible ones.
In a normal company he would be fired
Who do you think I mean?

alberto gomez maria, madrid, spain

Let's be honest, none of you wanted Hamilton to win. what someone with no experience showing the other super drivers up in his first year. yea he made a mistake, but who many errors have other drivers made in their career. Mr Shumacher came off the track many times. I see there is alot of support for that cry baby Alonso, he needs to grow up. Come on Hamilton come on Grenada, we all know that you will do it next year.

David, London, United Kingdom

I think British media has done a very good job selling to the world how good Hamilton is and how the evil Alonso is, but at the end, I clearly see it was not real.
Am I the only one who saw that the young rookie (even with all kind of help) just thrown up the title in the last face of the championship with his mistakes??
Dennis said in China: "we were fighting against Alonso not against Raikkonen".. Ok! Now you have what you deserve.
Alonso, good job until the end! Especially in the situation you had to deal. You are not the â€œgood guyâ€ this circus like but a real champion.

Ali Richir, Ryhad, Saudi Arabia

Hamilton maked an unbelieveble error. It was a natural result of his inexperience.

Nelson Conserino , Santos , Brazil

Rocio from Madrid asks who is Hamilton, He my son is the English racing driver who has beaten the two world champion all year, not sure where he was from thou, Portugal ?

Rich Sid, Sheffield, England

why did McLaren 3 pit stops to Hamilton? With only two stops, Hamilton would be probably World Champion.....

dan, Liverpool,

Divine Justice exits, Mc Laren didnt deserve to win, they havent worked as a team, from nearly the start of the season it seemed that the one to beat was Alonso, not ferrari. They could have had everything , however they lost everything, including the most important thing: their credibility as a team.
And the saddest thing of all is that probably Lewis is happy because Alonso didnt win.

Too sad.

Justina, madrid, spain

who is hamilton?? hahaÂ¡Â¡Â¡

rocio, madrid, spain

MacLaren: The most ridiculous performance ever!!!
Unfair game never wins!!!
Ron and Lewis please, learn the lesson...

BELEN , MADRID, SPAIN

Great job Alonso. Eventhough everything was against you you finished third with the same points as the second. Outstanding performance by ferrari and pathetic manouvering by Mc Laren who never seemed to be in control of the situation inside the team!!!

Carlos, Las Palmas, Spain

Nothing for you, nothing for us.
Dennis explain us it all.
An spanish tyrrell fan.

carlos quintana, santander, spain

Well...Mr Dennis....you had the world champion in your team and you had to let him go, as Montoya did and as Alonso will do. Do you think that after this season you will be able to ask another champion driver to join your team? And why are you ONLY appealing about the ones ending before Hamilton and not about the Ferraris? I'll you why...because if you appeal Ferraris maybe Alonso would be the champion.... We will see you next year how good performance your tem will have. If your team would be a football team...I am sure you would not be the manager, just looking at your figures...how many titles in the las 10 years?

Carlos Martinez, Barcelona, Spain

Poor Lewis, the blue eyes of Ron Dennis... He belives that he was the best, and at the end, he is only a rockye...

MacLaren very bad. Ron Dennis had lost the aim, giving all the responabilityes to a Hammilton, just a rockye.

Bye bye Lewis, keep on dreaming!

Gerry, Barcelona, Catalonia

He and McClaren lost a title they had in their hands, he had it so easy and he lost it so easy too , that needs also some evaluation. He thought too soon in the season he was better than anyone else and that was perhaps his mistake. We saw yesterday the other top drivers passing him with style and confidence while he was shaking like rookies do.McClaren , had they bet on Alonso from day one, would be celebrating now. Alonso did very well for having no support whatsoever. Congrats to Kimi and Ferrari for working as a team and favouring the best driver.

Rikard, Oslo, Norway

This is a practical question:

First: McLaren has not been a team. Alonso should have been the real winner since Hungary. And Hamilton?.....learning from a great pilot for not doing stupid child things as last two GP. Possibly we could have a great Hamilton in two or three years....but he has not learnt in Alonso's experience. What a pity? Ron Dennis,....please,...go out, you've failed.

JAN, Mnachester,

May be Hamilton has had a better behaviour than Mac Laren team this year...anyway we in Italy hope that the young boy will keep on lose at the the last round...:-)...Thanks A LOT

Francesco, Tirana, Albania

ahahahahahah!

OLE! OLE! Y OLE!

I'm really glad for Kimmi, he deserves it !!!!
Ferrari = Fair Play
McClaren = SHAME

Raquel, Madrid. ESPAÃ‘A con Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘ !!!

Raquel, madrid, SPAIN

Dennis is the responsible for the title lost. He said in China after Hamilton's abandon: "we were racing against Alonso"... After seing the last two races, it's clear he bet for the wrong horse. Hamilton has not been able to cope with the pressure.

Marc, Barcelona, Spain

Yes, I think Hamilton lost control of his emotions and wet wild when Alonso overtook him. If he had kept his emotional control, he would have steadily regained his position, maybe climbing to challenge for the lead....I don't know if the gear problem would have occurred if he had not gone off the track as vibrations may have caused this problem...So Hamilton only has himself to blame...Also he should sometimes make decisions for himself, as he is the pilot, not McLaren..like in the China GP - he should have changed tyres earlier...So bad luck Mr Hamilton

Ron David, Newcastle, UK

Mr. Montezemolo, President for Ferrari has just confirmed what it has been evident to all "Southern Europe" during this stupid McL-mercedes season; Alonso has lost the cahmpionship due to the team negligence, as to impose lewis preference.
Fernando, come back, they hate you.

Antxon, Bilbao, Spain

Hamilton is a phenomenal but unexperienced driver. He lost the championship in the last two races because he did not use his brain, he wanted to win the races instead of holding a position. he will have his time in the future. Cheers to Raikkoned who found in Ferrari what he could not find in McLaren: a friendly working environment

Ale, Miami, USA/Florida

Well done Kimi, you deserve it.
There you go Dennis thats what happens when you are horrible team leader and a disgrace to the Formula1.
What you got yesterday is what you deserve NOTHING.
Hamilton crybaby!!
You bet on the wrong guy and you lost it all. JEJEJEJE VIVA ALONSO

john, Southampton, UK

The difference: Ferrari was a team and McLaren was Dennis friendship for Hamilton. Should this big business be based on frienship? "Business is business not frienship"

J. Guadalix, MÃ¡laga, Spain

SO funny... i am very happy , i could be better if Alonso was able to win the championship, but it was not possible, so Kimmy is the champion.

This is what happens if you make things bad... Alonso 2 - Hamilton 0...

By the way... Alonso was unfairly punisshed by FIA, his own team make all the possible (legal and ilegal) things to make him lost... and they made it!... but hamilton couldnt finish the deal making a 6th place :D:D

LOL and cheers from spain... maybe next year

Kike, Madrid, Spain

Hamilton could have easily won the title, if he hadn't thrown his toys out of the pram when Alonso passed. 4th place would have been well good enough. But he and Alonso were so embattled that they forgot the real opposition. Ferrari worked as a team, MacLaren shot themselves in the foot.

John Lawrence, Stirling, Uk

The Last Laugh
Sorry, can you please just amend that "Dennis sporting in defeat" headline...?

Thanks.

vittorio, salerno, italia

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Matt Dickinson

Matt Dickinson studied at Cambridge University before joining the Daily Express from the Cambridge Evening News in 1991. He then joined The Times in September 1997 and became Chief Football Correspondent in April 2002. Five years later he took on the role of Chief Sports Correspondent. Dickinson won Young Sports Writer of the Year in 1993 and Sports Journalist of the Year in 2000. He is most famous for conducting the interview with Glenn Hoddle that led to his resignation as England manager

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