Andrew Longmore at in Interlagos
Win a trip to the Ice Hotel in Lapland
Lewis Hamilton qualified on the front row of the grid for the race that will decide the destiny of the Formula One world title at Interlagos today. In searing heat, in front of a passionate Brazilian crowd, Felipe Massa took his sixth pole position of the year in the Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen, one of the three contenders for the title, on the second row, just ahead of Hamilton’s teammate and nearest rival, Fernando Alonso.
It was just the boost the 22-year-old needed to cast off the doubts that began to surface after his dramatic slip in the Chinese Grand Prix when, in a rain-affected race, he slid into the gravel trap in the pit lane. The pressure on the young Briton, who leads the championship by four points and is still favourite to become the first rookie champion in the 50-year history of Formula One, has become almost unbearable in the lead-up to the final race of a turbulent season.
“I’m absolutely happy with that,” said Hamilton. “It was really quite straightforward. I think that we’re sitting in a good position going into the race.” The Englishman looked thoroughly relaxed both in and out of the McLaren, driving with his usual verve on a track which he saw for the first time five days ago. “I’m buzzing, really buzzing, really excited,” added Hamilton. “It must be the food here.”
As ever, the final moments of qualifying did not pass without controversy as Hamilton emerged for his final lap just ahead of Raikkonen, who was in the middle of his quick lap. Hamilton, who pulled over to let the Ferrari driver through, was pressed hard on the matter and said he had no option but to pull out of the pits when he did.
“I honestly didn’t think Kimi was as close as he was,” said Hamilton. “When I realised he was, I pulled out of his way and let him take the corner. I didn’t think I hindered his lap, but I have apologised to him. I’m here this weekend to do a completely clean job. That’s what we’re trying to do as a team.”
To his credit, Raikkonen made nothing of the incident, though it might be critical to the outcome of his last-ditch challenge for the title. But it was Hamilton and Massa, who have started 12 times from pole this season, who had the biggest smiles on their faces and who will contest the first corner. “A day of big emotion,” said Massa. “I just hope that it will be a nice fight behind me in the race.”
Hamilton will be content to let the Brazilian through and to keep Raikkonen in his sights as well. “It would be good to beat Kimi, for sure,” said Hamilton. “But mostly I want to beat Fernando.” For all sorts of reasons. The long internal war within McLaren might have taken a decisive turn on the penultimate day of the season. Just 71 laps stand between Hamilton and his destiny this afternoon.
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Pity they took $10 million off Button and considered him nuts once or twice. The image is lower now than ever and even Coultard can gripe at Brazil because the last real chance of pole was lost after a crash several years ago. With the socialists in power he should get a pole again and he has been doing better recently.
The big super rich like Mc Cartney etc forget the real talent of UK and BE as colonies win again at rugger, GP,soccer etc but UK going out of world league.
Dr MI Barton MA. MBA.PhD, Oxon., uk
I'm a F1 fan and I simply hope to see an exciting race today. Although I suppose Angel Lago Villar is joking, I do not want a crash. In fact, I also wanted to say that sometimes many Spanish fans also criticise Alonso's attitude. I always remember when he won the first or the second Championship with Renault and he said: "I do not have to give thanks practically to anybody" and I thought "what about your team?".
On the other hand, Hamilton is also a fantastic pilot, but I think he has "two faces". One when he talks to newspapers, being a "good boy", but the other inside him, "off the record". For example, just remember his radio conversation with R Dennis in Hungary GP, in China GP with safety car or in this GP when Raikkonen was in his fast lap. I can belive him once, but it's been too much times.
In any case, the worst of all is Spanish/British confrontation. It's a sport and we must always remember it.
Alonso is control, Hamilton is talent and Raikk is ice. Enjoy it!
Javier Gutierrez, Barcelona, Spain
should be a cracking finale to the season.. lets hope for a nail biter - interesting fact...currently Hamilton is bettering the mighty Senna in terms of pole positions over races contested..only just ...and admittedly it might be a tad early to make comparisons between him and one of the all time greats :D
zugerman, zug, switzerland
Hamilton is a great driver, but not the best one, even if he wins the championship today. I want to see Hamilton next year with Fernando in another team, and I also want to see Fernando with another car and team.
I think Alonso and kimmi made lots of things for Fomrule 1, not as Ecllestone said, and it is Hamilton who has not doing anything till now, so I don't agrre with Eclestonne feelings about his wishes to Hamilton to win, but my wishes doesn't care to anyone, and if the boss wishes are those, he will be pleased, of course, so don't worry Hamilton funs,the boss is also British.
I wouls like maybe Raikkonen to win, since he drives a Ferrari although i think Alonso is the best driver nowadays. Hamilton learns fast so he will be the best driver soon, but not yet.
Let's see what happens today
Claire, Paris,
I am part Spanish and am unfortunately not surprised about the level of absurd patriotism Alonso manages to fire up. After all, Alonso drives for himself-not for Spain.
I think he has a poor attitude to sport. Upset that the media would follow him around and disturb his privacy. A guy in his mid twenties getting paid millions of Dollars to do a job many would do just as well and for free.
Life is tough but someone has to do this job, thank you Allonso for sacrificing yourself.
Rolf, Marbella, Spain
Very nice Rick, you speak so fine. Don´t forget the Lewis' fans even get to become FIA members. And please, we're not maniacs. After all, fans behave the same way with their own country drivers, everyone has its own point of view, just respect that.
boro, S/C de Tenerife, Spain
I hope the remarkable and talented Lewis Hamilton wins.But more than this, I hope he finishes safely. He has done more to rekindle interest in the sport from a wider public than many others in quite some time and is a polite and good ambassador for the sport.
Shame on you,Angel Lago Villar, for wishing a crash to anyone!
Keith Robotham, Dalsland, Sweden
I feel a bit of a cheat really. I followed the F1 religioulsy as a teenager with Mansell, Prost and Senna. In my 20's I had Damon and Michael. Then I drifted away for a little while. However, this season has been the most exciting thing since, well since Hill v Schumacher in '94!
One thing that has made me all the more determined to celebrate if Hamilton does indeed win the title today is the extremely paranoid and slanted views expressed by so many Spanish fans of Alonso, coupled with the driver's own dreadful attitude to competition.
Compare Damon Hill's conduct after that race in Melbourne and you'll understand what I mean.
I now expect to get several flame messages from outraged Alonso fans, to which I will simply add, "I rest my case"
Here's to a great end to a spectacular season.
Rick T, Dubai, UAE
Today,Alonso and Lewis crash.
Raikonen win.
Fair play!
No spy team!
Angel Lago Villar, Sevilla, Spain