Kubica makes the breakthrough

Kubica recorded his maiden win in Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. BMW had a magical weekend, registering their first ever 1-2. With 2 stop strategy for Kubica, and 1 stop for Heidfeld, there was no stopping them after Kimi and Hamilton were forced out. Coulthard was seen on podium after quite a while. So we had an unusual finish to an exiting race. Long time since a race without Ferrari or Mclaren on Podium

Ferrari had a disappointing weekend. Massa managed 5th place. Championship contender Kimi could not finish the race. Kimi stopped his car in front of the red light coming out of pits during 2^nd safety car period, as any sane driver would. Hamilton apparently, did not see the red light and hit Kimi from behind, only to send both of them out. So did Roseberg. As both the commentators mentioned (Chris Goodwin was back just for this race), this red light during safety car period rule is a stupid one, but you HAVE to follow the rules.

Naturally, action was taken against both of them, so Hamilton and Roseberg will suffer a punishment of 10 places in next race at Magny-Cours. Many people would be tempted to apply the same logic to accident involving Sutil and Kimi at Monaco. But they are totally different. Kimi, though drove aggressively, did not break any rule. Losing control at 200 kmph on a wet track is one thing and hitting a stationary car at pitlane speed limit , jumping the red light, is another. So FIA did a good job here.

Both the Force India drivers disappointed Mallya yet again. Tough luck for them!

A race every Indian would like to forget

It was so close and yet so far! Perhaps it was not meant to be.. Force India almost clinched those precious Championship point but Sutil’s dream run was shattered by none other than the reigning world champion Kimi Raikkonen! Sutil was stunned and could not control his emotions. He was thrown out of the race for no fault of his own. But its part of the game. I am worried about Kimi though. Every amateur Indian Formula One fan will will portray Kimi as a villain…and we don’t want that.

Due to wet conditions, almost every car got a ‘NOSE-JOB’. Some were fortunate to get 2 or 3 of them (Alonso was one of them!)! Cars were just brushing the walls and each other…so pit crew had a long hard day changing the front and rear wings in numerous unscheduled pit stops.

I feel bad for a lot of people-

• First and the foremost- Adrian Sutil
• Kimi Raikkonen- Had a drive through penalty for pit crews’ fault…hit Sutil when he lost control over brakes and did not get a single C’ship point
• Nico Roseberg- He had an impressive qualifying but was thrown to the last spot due to 1st lap pit stop…drove fabulously but again crashed out
• Hekki Kovalainen- Stalled his car before warm up lap…started from pits…damaged his wing and still managed to get 1 point. Impressive but could have been beeter.
• Nick Heidfeld- It was not his day. Started 12th, came into point scoring, got hit by Alonso on turn 6 (who..unlike Kimi…had brakes in control and was driving at 40 kmph) ended up 14th.
• Sebastien Bourdais- Was a passanger of the sinking boat with Sutil. He ran into Coulthard’s stationary doomed red bull and was out of the race just like that.

There were only 4 real gainers in Monaco. Hamilton, well deserved winner. Kubica, kept his cool…took advantage of Massa’s stupid mistake and finished on podium…yet again. And Vettel and Barrichello…opened their respective accounts.

STR has already scored 6 points. With Super Aguri gone, FI remains the only team without C’ship points. They had a realistic chance in Monaco…but was in vain. Remaining race tracks are not going to favor them. Its a rough ride ahead for them!

Wit(h) Steve Slater-

Sutil following Massa in 4th position. Kimi joins him in 5th position after his regular pit stop

Slater- Its like a dream run…will he manage to get those championship points for his team?….Following Massa……followed by Kimi…..but no pressure..no pressure!

Watch out for Mclaren

Last year could well be described as a disastrous one for Mclaren. First of all Ron Dennis made a huge mistake of signing Alonso, because he thought he was a good driver. Alonso proved his move wrong by showing the world, not for the first time, that he is a very evil person and a sour loser. He deliberately brought the rookie Hamilton into various controversies.

Then there was the Ferrari Tech Data spying controversy. Mclaren lost all of their constructors’ championship points and were fined heavily. But above all, they lost their credibility due to this incident as well as because of occasional mud-slinging done by Alonso.

As if this was not enough, their only ray of hope for this dubious season, Lewis Hamilton lost the drivers’ championship to Kimi Räikkönen (Can’t complain about that 1 though) in a breathtaking final race at Brazil.

But 2007 is a history now. And Mclaren is all set for a fresh season with revived hopes. Firstly, they have fired Alonso(Ye!!), who has returned to his true mentor Flavio Briatore (BOO!!!). They have hired Hekki Kovalainen, who had an impressive season under Briatore’s Renault, though he was an underdog. The new Mp4-23 looks promising with all the added features in th cockpit area and rear wings. Ron Dennis has claimed that their team is all set for the new season without the traction control. Lets just hope for an exciting season!