RACES

DRIVERS

TEAMS

Brazilian GP: Qualifying report

Oct 20, 2007

Lewis Hamilton didn't quite make the pole position, but he hasn't hurt his chances of securing his first world title in his debut season either. Qualifying in second place behind home favourite Felipe Massa, Lewis Hamilton has ensured that his challengers are behind him. And unless there is some catastrophe like the last race, he looks set to complete the season as World Champion.

A typically exciting qualifying session saw the pole position move from one driver to another and for a few seconds, Lewis Hamilton almost had it in his grasp. His undoing turned out to be the outstanding pace of the Ferrari and the familiarity that Felipe Massa enjoys on this track. His final timing of 1:11.931 was barely 0.2 seconds faster than Lewis' time of 1:12.082 but that's the kind of advantage he enjoyed on track. For Massa's success, though, he could suffer tomorrow since he does look to be on a light fuel strategy.

It also didn't help matters that this was a newly made track and the cars were taking time to settle especially after a tyre change. The sliding and slipping visible didn't look pretty, but the track seemed to be settling down as the session wore on. That, however, only adds to the already pulsating situation the final race will enjoy.

While Hamilton and Massa were battling up front, Kimi Raikkonen had a tough qualifying session. Although he finished third eventually, he had to struggle to make his way up the order. It was an even worse time on the track for Fernando Alonso. Failing to beat even Nico Rosberg for the longest time, he eventually managed to finish fourth and complete the now familiar Ferrari-McLaren formation in the first two rows.

For Alonso and Raikkonen, this seems like game over! Lewis Hamilton only needs to guard against nerves and finish ahead of these two drivers to secure the title. More than him, however, Ron Dennis needs to ensure the car can last the distance and that there are no more untoward incidents like the one in China.

Down the order, too, there were some very impressive performances especially the one by Mark Webber who has only looked better with every race. Qualifying in fifth, ahead of the BMWs, he has shown that he is far better than David Coulthard has been all year long and that the Red Bull is improving significantly with every race. Jarno Trulli too made it a good finish to the season qualifying just behind the BMWs of Nick Heidfeld (6th) and Robert Kubica (7th) in eighth place. David Coulthard didn't do too badly qualifying 9th and further emphasising the improvements the Red Bull team has made and in the process even beating out Nico Rosberg for Williams who completed the top ten.

The second session of qualifying saw Rubens Barrichello come heartbreakingly close to making the top ten. He was eventually nudged out by Jarno Trulli. Giancarlo Fisichella and Flavio Briatore must wonder what's gone wrong in the last two races. Renault has not put even one driver into the top ten tonight with Heikki Kovalainen doing far worse qualifying 17th.

Toro Rosso had a decent outing with Sebastian Vettel in 12th and Tonio Liuzzi in 13th edging out Ralf Schumacher in the Toyota in 14th. Ralf must be relieved that this will be his last race with Toyota. While the racing world awaits news of his next move, speculation is rife that he has no offers; especially at his salary!

Once again failing to impress and advance beyond the first qualifying session were the two Spykers and Super Aguris. They were also joined by Kovalainen and Kazuki Nakajima who replaced the suddenly-retired Alex Wurz.

The final race of the season is upon us. The season draws to a close in less than 24 hours and the title is slowly moving towards the McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton. One wonders, though, whether it's still fair to call a title contender a rookie... The countdown has truly begun.

Final Qualifying Results: