Brazilian GP: McLaren Gain First One Two, Alonso Third - Clinches World Championship
Written by George Katinger · September 25, 2005
Juan Pablo Montoya drove to his third victory of the year managing to fend off teammate Kimi Raikkonen in the process. Fernando Alonso came home third to clinch his driver’s championship.
speedtv.com: Alonso Wins Title Despite McLaren 1-2 in Brazil
grandprix.com: Race incidents from Interlagos
f1.racing-live.com: A rewarding one-two result at Interlagos
today.reuters.co.uk: Alonso celebrates as title dream comes true
The race itself was somewhat anti-climatic after the first three laps. After the safety car withdrew Juan put the pass on Fernando for the lead, who obviously wasn’t going to fight for the position, and it was over. Kimi inherited second place when Fernando pitted on lap 22 and there they stayed for the rest of the race.
I had hoped that the engine and aero upgrades promised by Renault would have brought a closer race. But the changes were not significant enough to overcome the storming McLarens. Both McLaren cars survived the potentially treacherous Interlagos course, there was no rain, and the parade finished up as posted.
With their one-two finish McLaren have taken over first place in the Constructors chase, but by only two points. Maybe, just maybe Renault will have enough pride and package to go racing against the McLarens for the last two races and we’ll see some good action. Suzuka and Shanghai may be the best races of the season if Renault don’t roll over on their laurels.
All of the other competition we expected today evaporated into the humid Brazilian atmosphere. Rubens Barrichello in 6th was the last car on the lead lap. Button and Sato did nothing, Ferrari showed some gains while finishing both cars in the points, the Toyotas continue to disappoint in spite of Ralf’s 8th place a lap down, and the Saubers were a total bust. Way to impress your new owners Jacques, Massa still finished ahead of you. And Williams? It’s too sad to even rehash.
Fernando Alonso is a deserving champion who knows how to get the most out of his car, a race, and his team. With nothing to lose and a constructors title to win let’s hope Renault can pick up the pace for the last two and end the seasons constructors chase one point ahead of McLaren. Wouldn’t that tick off Ron Dennis!!
BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS - SEPTEMBER 25, 2005 - 71 LAPS
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT LAPS TIRE TIME/RETIRE
1. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA Colombia McLaren-Mercedes 71 1h29m20.574
2. KIMI RAIKKONEN Finland McLaren-Mercedes 71 2.527
3. FERNANDO ALONSO Spain Renault 71 24.840
4. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Germany McLaren-Mercedes 71 35.668
5. GIANCARLO FISICHELLA Italy Renault 71 40.218
6. RUBENS BARRICHELLO Brazil Ferrari 71 1m09.173
7. JENSON BUTTON Britain BAR-Honda 70 1 Lap
8. RALF SCHUMACHER Germany Toyota 70 1 Lap
9. CHRISTIAN KLIEN Austria Red Bull-Cosworth 70 1 Lap
10. TAKUMA SATO Japan BAR-Honda 70 1 Lap
11. FELIPE MASSA Brazil Sauber-Petronas 70 1 Lap
12. JACQUES VILLENEUVE Canada Sauber-Petronas 70 1 Lap
13. JARNO TRULLI Italy Toyota 69 2 Laps
14. CHRISTIJAN ALBERS Netherlands Minardi-Cosworth 69 2 Laps
15. NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN India Jordan-Toyota 68 3 Laps
R TIAGO MONTEIRO Portugal Jordan-Toyota 55 Mechanical
R MARK WEBBER Australia Williams-BMW 45
R ROBERT DOORNBOS Netherlands Minardi-Cosworth 34 Engine
R ANTONIO PIZZONIA Brazil Williams-BMW 0 Accident
R DAVID COULTHARD Britain Red Bull-Cosworth 0 Accident
FASTEST LAP: Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 29 1:12.268
DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS:
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT POINTS
1. FERNANDO ALONSO Spain Renault 117
2. KIMI RAIKKONEN Finland McLaren-Mercedes 94
3. MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Germany Ferrari 60
JUAN PABLO MONTOYA Colombia McLaren-Mercedes 60
5. GIANCARLO FISICHELLA Italy Renault 45
6. JARNO TRULLI Italy Toyota 43
7. RALF SCHUMACHER Germany Toyota 38
RUBENS BARRICHELLO Brazil Ferrari 38
9. JENSON BUTTON Britain BAR-Honda 32
10. MARK WEBBER Australia Williams-BMW 29
11. NICK HEIDFELD Germany Williams-BMW 28
12. DAVID COULTHARD Britain Red Bull-Cosworth 21
13. JACQUES VILLENEUVE Canada Sauber-Petronas 9
14. FELIPE MASSA Brazil Sauber-Petronas 8
15. TIAGO MONTEIRO Portugal Jordan-Toyota 7
16. ALEXANDER WURZ Austria McLaren-Mercedes 6
17. NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN India Jordan-Toyota 5
CHRISTIAN KLIEN Austria Red Bull-Cosworth 5
19. CHRISTIJAN ALBERS Netherlands Minardi-Cosworth 4
PEDRO DE LA ROSA Spain McLaren-Mercedes 4
21. PATRICK FRIESACHER Austria Minardi-Cosworth 3
22. ANTONIO PIZZONIA Brazil Williams-BMW 2
23. VITANTONIO LIUZZI Italy Red Bull-Cosworth 1
TAKUMA SATO Japan BAR-Honda 1
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS:
POS CONSTRUCTOR POINTS
1. MCLAREN-MERCEDES 164
2. RENAULT 162
3. FERRARI 98
4. TOYOTA 81
5. WILLIAMS-BMW 59
6. BAR-HONDA 33
7. RED BULL-COSWORTH 27
8. SAUBER-PETRONAS 17
9. JORDAN-TOYOTA 12
10. MINARDI-COSWORTH 7
Comments
5 Responses to “Brazilian GP: McLaren Gain First One Two, Alonso Third - Clinches World Championship”
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As you say George, not the most riveting of races.Can you imagine what was said in the Williams garage at the start?
If nothing else, with the drivers title over, the last two rounds can provide some excitement.
“We should have swapped Webber for Heidfield.”
Do I win?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Williams driver’s next year are Rosberg AND Pizzonia with Webber out. He really has spent more time off track than on it. Or at least it seems that way. How long will Frank go before dropping him regardless of his income problems?
Wow! George & Wholly.I can’t keep up with the Webber predictions.The last one was thas Flavio wanted him at Renault dumping/swapping Fisi.
While he has had a poor season I can’t see Frank dropping him.I beg to differ on Pizzonia, i’m not even sure he will be there as a tester next season.
Webber is going to have to lift his game but I think dropping him(let alone for Pizzonia)is a touch melodramatic,& no George, my nationallity has nothing to do with this opinion.Hows Ryan Briscoe’s smash-a-thon IRL tour going? OUCH!
Frank has demonstrated in the past his willingness to keep high priced under performing drivers and drop underpayed non-performing drivers. Not to mention firing Championship winning drivers who over rate their own value!
Peter, your objectivity is usually very fair unless we are discussing that certain FIA scoundrel we all know and love.