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Race tightens in Japan
Monday 13 October 2008
The Formula 1 world is bracing itself for another agonisingly close finish as the 2008 championship draws to its conclusion with Lewis Hamilton leading by just five points.
A disastrous Japanese Grand Prix by Hamilton, which saw the Brit squander poll position to finish in 12th place and out of the points, was mitigated somewhat by the failure of his arch rival, Felipe Massa, to do better than 7th, earning just two points.
BMW's Robert Kubica remains a dark horse, earning eight points to draw himself up within striking range of the top two drivers, while Renault's Fernando Alonso was jubilant after his second straight victory.
Controversy continues to stalk Hamilton, who tangled with Kimi Räikkönen on the very first corner, earning himself a drive-through penalty. He was then involved in an incident with Massa, who in turn was penalised himself as the tension rose.
"I'm not happy after a result like today's," a disgruntled Hamilton said after the race. "I didn't make a great start, but I slipstreamed Kimi and went up the inside. I braked a bit late, but so did everybody. A lot of cars went wide at Turn One, and I just went a bit wider than everyone else. Now I'll forget today ever happened and move forward."
Massa would ultimately be the beneficiary of another decision, as Toro Rosso's Sebastien Bourdais was handed a 25-second penalty for making contact with Massa. The decision moved Bourdais down to 10th and moved Massa up to seventh - and who can say how important that extra point might be after two more races?
(Photo © BMW AG)
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