USGP: Lewis Lives Up To Expectations
Written by George Katinger · June 17, 2007
Lewis Hamilton continued, in his seventh ever F1 race, his trend of not finishing lower than his qualifying position. In other words he won the race, followed by teammate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Felipe Massa.
I’d love to be able to say that the USGP was every bit as gripping as last weeks Canadian GP but it just wasn’t so. Thankfully there was no massive life threatening shunts, no safety cars, only a couple of local cautions. Oh yeah, Ralf ended his race, not to mention his F1 racing career, at turn one, lap one. Especially in light of Jarno Trulli’s 6th place finish. Unfortunately he took out David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello with him. Can’t say I’ll miss him as much as older bro when Ralfie is gone.
At the start, Fernando Alonso attempted his now patented turn one outside pass, but to no avail. Hamilton stayed the course through the first series of turns resisting Alonso’s pressure, and the race for P1 was done. I have never seen anyone so young and yet so poised as Hamilton. Those 10 or so years of tutelage in the McLaren camp have paid mighty dividends indeed. And that’s not intended to take anything away from Lewis talent wise. The man obviously has the skill, the will, and can provide many a racing thrill over his career in the sport.
The only other carry over from the Canadian GP was the inability of the Ferrari cars to apply any pressure what so ever on the McLaren’s. Massa did his best with an under performing car, but what the hell is up with Raikkonen? He dropped from his 4th place Q spot to 6th, and managed to crawl back up to 4th. But I can’t wait to read the spin over the next two weeks as to how Kimi still has a chance to fight for the title. Don’t sell crazy here, that’s a reach that even I won’t entertain anymore.
As for Ferrari the team, unless they can come up with some serious improvements at the French GP that will net a 1-2 victory, I’m calling the season here and now. It’s McLaren for both titles, with the only doubt as to whether it will be Hamilton or Alonso as the driver’s champion.
In its own way, the USGP at Indianapolis is almost as boring as Monte Carlo. Sure, there are two opportunities to pass, but the car setups almost preclude passing amongst the leaders. With the high speed sectors requiring minimal down force, and the slow sections demanding grip, it’s one of the most difficult tracks to adjust car setups to. But the hype is always great and the atmosphere tense as the high speed section provides the longest sustained open throttle of any track any where.
Bernie should insist on track modifications as any prerequisite to a long term contract extension. But then again he’s negotiating with Tony George, isn’t he? See you in India next year!
The US Grand Prix
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1h39:09.065
2. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) + 1.518
3. Massa Ferrari (B) + 12.842
4. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) + 15.422
5. Kovalainen Renault (B) + 41.402
6. Trulli Toyota (B) + 1:06.703
7. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) + 1:07.331
8. Vettel BMW Sauber (B) + 1:07.783
9. Fisichella Renault (B) + 1 lap
10. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) + 1 lap
11. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) + 1 lap
12. Button Honda (B) + 1 lap
13. Speed Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 2 laps
14. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) + 2 laps
15. Albers Spyker-Ferrari (B) + 3 laps
16. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) + 5 laps
17. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) + 5 laps
Fastest lap: Raikkonen, 1:13.117
Not classified/retirements:
Driver Team On lap
Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 56
Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 14
Barrichello Honda (B) 2
Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 2
R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1
World Championship standings, round 7:
Drivers:
1. Hamilton 58
2. Alonso 48
3. Massa 39
4. Raikkonen 32
5. Heidfeld 26
6. Fisichella 13
7. Kovalainen 12
8. Kubica 12
9. Wurz 8
10. Trulli 7
11. Rosberg 5
12. Coulthard 4
13. Sato 4
14. R.Schumacher 2
15. Webber 2
16. Vettel 1
Constructors:
1. McLaren-Mercedes 106
2. Ferrari 71
3. BMW Sauber 39
4. Renault 25
5. Williams-Toyota 13
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2 Responses to “USGP: Lewis Lives Up To Expectations”
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So long; Ralphy.
How could someone that came from the same gene pool that produced Michael (yes I know they only shared mom’s) be so underwhelming.
You know, Ralph, if ya didn’t want to race at Indy, ya didn’t need to drive through the field like you did and take out a couple of other drivers. There are plenty of walls that you could have hit on your own. Crikey!
Me thinks that there is a chink in Alonso’s armour. That guy that is called Lewis seems to have the key.
I don’t think that I have ever seen a rookie, in any sport, that has the poise, the control, and the mental toughness that Lewis has. I don’t think that Tiger had this much of an impact on his sport when he first hit the pro tour.
Amazing.
How many races is this guy gonna win this year?
How many of Michael’s records will Lewis take?
How is it possible for us to be blessed with the chance to watch a truely gifted driver, again.
The one thing that truely frightened me was a statement that Ron Dennis made: Everytime that they test the car, it keeps getting faster. Nothing like driving a nail into the coffin of Ferrari. They need to get M.S. in the car and find some speed.
And yet again, Kimi had nothing for his teammate.
I think that Ferrari should be looking into a rebate on Kimi’s salary. Clearly not performing as they expected. (He is performing as I expected)
I think I am going to put my Michael shrine away and put a Lewis one in.
The King is gone, long live the King.
(or is he? he, he, he)
George says.
“In its own way, the USGP at Indianapolis is almost as boring as Monte Carlo. Sure, there are two opportunities to pass, but the car setups almost preclude passing amongst the leaders.”
If you cant get a draft & complete a pass on the Indy main straight there is something dramatically wrong with F1.
If you cant follow a car through the infield section, closely enough to do the above, then there is something wrong with F1.
One word, AERO! As Max is going green he should improve the racing while he is at it. Attack AERO!!
BTW, do I sound like a broken record on this subject? AERO, AERO, AERO.