Despite only finishing 5th in the Brazilian Grand Prix, Jenson Button deserves to be World Champion, whatever the papers say, because a) he has more points than anyone else, b) has more race wins than anyone else (6), and c) does not need to score any points in Abu Dhabi. Starting from 13th on the grid in Sao Paulo, Jenson drove fantastically, working his way through the field, thanks to some exciting and daring overtaking manoevres.
Former F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, also drove outstandingly, finishing on the podium (3rd) despite starting the race from 18th on the grid in his McClaren. This means he is now 5th in the Drivers standings, leading Kimi by one point with one race to go, after a dreadful start to the season. Lewis has helped McClaren edge ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors World Champion. We congratulate both Brawn GP and Jenson Button bringing both the F1 World Drivers Title and F1 Constructors Title to Britain with the luxury of one race to spare.
With McClaren now back on the pace and Brawn as World Champions, lets hope that Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button can keep the F1 World Crown on British shores for several years to come. Between them, and the upcoming Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull, Formula One has had a freshen up and some much needed life breathed into it. Anyhow, everyone at Hazlemere Windows is proud of our F1 World Champions, nothing quite like UK manufacturing for durability, reliability and strength!
CATAGORY|F1 Formula One, Lewis Hamilton
At the beginning of 2009 we all wondered what an earth had happened to the McClaren F1 motor racing team, with them unable to get either of their cars in the top ten in qualifying. During the early Formula One Races it was painful to watch the 2008 F1 Motor Racing World Champion Lewis Hamilton struggle near the back of the starting grid, although as always overall out performs his team mate in both qualifying and in most races.
Then, about halfway through the F1 season McClaren found a winning Formula again, and Lewis Hamilton was again dominating pole position and getting on the podium, and more importantly winning races. Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence has made the 2009 F1 title race more exciting, and has helped Red Bull at least give themselves a chance of the Drivers Championship, although I doubt they will overhaul Brawn in the Constructors Championship. Lets hope Jenson Button can win the Drivers Championship in style by winning one of the last two races.
Third place in the constructors Championship in now between Ferrari (currently 2 points ahead) and McClaren, thanks to Lewis Hamilton new found package/form and sadly Massa’s unfortunate accident at Spa. With the two aging Ferrari drivers not what they once were, McClaren have a great chance to turn a disasterous start to 2009 into a relatively successful finale. Roll on the final two races in Brazil and the Middle East!
CATAGORY|F1 Formula One, Lewis Hamilton
Ireland’s first Grand Slam since 1948 was almost thrown away by late second half schoolboy errors in Cardiff, not worthy of the manner in which the Irish came out at the start of the second half. As usual the excellent and tenacious Brian O’Driscoll lead from the front at the Millennium Stadium, leading the Irish to their first Grand Slam for 52 years. His try changed the momentum of the game and put Wales on the back foot.
Tommy Bone’s individual try for Ireland set up Ireland for a long overdue Grand Slam and helped write Brian O’Driscoll and his Irish Rugby Union team into the history books. Ireland almost threw a winning position away with silly penalties and errors, especially when Stephen Jones drop goal gave Wales a 15-14 lead with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.
Nevertheless, Ronan O’Gara’s drop goal with two minutes to go won the match 17-15, Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam for Ireland, but only just, as had Stephen Jones last kick of the game penalty gone over, Wales would have won the Triple Crown and this marvellously entertaining International Rugby match, denying Ireland the Grand Slam.
A thrilling end to a enthralling Six Nations decider, and certainly one than all the long suffering Irish fans will not forget. My congratulations to Ireland’s Captain Brian O’Driscoll and all the Irish team for the success they deserve after so many near misses. As Lewis Hamilton proved during the F1 title decider in Brazil last year, last minute last gasp championship wins are still a win, and the history books will always record him as World Champion, the margin of victory in the end only relevant if you were watching at the time. Ireland will always be Grand Slam Champions of 2009, but having watched the final kick of the game at the Millennium Stadium fall yards short of the uprights, and Lewis Hamilton’s one point victory in Sao Paulo, I will not forget how close both these Championship wins were.
CATAGORY|F1 Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, Major Events
When, earlier today, Lewis Hamilton ran wide on the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix and Sebastian Vettel took 5th place, it looked that Massa had the World F1 title in the bag, and that McClaren had made the wrong call, with Glock in 4th place on slicks. However, what a call by McClaren and indeed what a last lap. I can only hope that Lewis Hamilton remembers to thank THE weatherman, as without the heavy rain on the last lap, he would not now be the yougest ever Formula One Champion.
My son David and I are big Lewis Hamilton fans, having seen him “live” at the British Grand Prix Silverstone last year. I can only hope that the humbling nature of his one point victory, makes him truly thankful for all the help he has had to achieve his dream. As for Massa and Ferrari, the F1 Constructors World Champion is at least deserved consolation. I do hope that Lewis can keep his feet on the ground as I do not think it will be as easy next year with the emergence of Massa, Kubica and Vettel, who are all truly talented racing drivers.
After all the bias towards Ferrari by the stewards this season, it is right that Lewis Hamilton won the World Championship, which they seemed to work so hard to stop him getting, so congratulations to Lewis for winning it by one point, but one point is all it takes. At least Formula One over the last two seasons has been exciting. Lets hope the FIA don’t mess up next season by insisting every F1 team uses the same engines. What then would the point be of a constructors championship?
CATAGORY|F1 Formula One, Lewis Hamilton
