- 24 Oct 08, 15:26#75754
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
Here's an interesting summary of the way the land lies at the moment, as well an interview from Hamilton and Kovalainen, from F1 Live:
The championship finally reaches its climax in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next weekend. And the daunting Interlagos circuit will play host to a thrilling title decider for the fourth successive season, between McLaren Mercedes championship leader Lewis Hamilton who has 94 points and Ferrari driver Felipe Massa on 87.
With each driver poised to win his first world title, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the constructors’ championship has also to be decided; McLaren Mercedes currently lies 11 points behind leaders Ferrari and 12 ahead of BMW Sauber. McLaren has won the Brazilian Grand Prix on 11 occasions, including seven victories at the Interlagos circuit.
Hamilton will be world champion if:
# He wins
# He finishes second
# He finishes third
# He finishes fourth
# He finishes fifth
# He finishes sixth and Massa is second or lower
# He finishes seventh and Massa is second or lower
# He finishes eighth and Massa is third or lower
# He fails to score and Massa is third or lower.
Massa will be world champion if:
# He wins and Hamilton finishes sixth or lower
# He finishes second and Hamilton is eighth or lower.
If the pair are tied on points on Sunday afternoon, Massa would win the title by virtue of more victories (six to Hamilton’s five) or second-place finishes (three to Hamilton’s two).
Lewis Hamilton - How are you approaching this final, crucial weekend of the year?
LH: "Fundamentally the same way I’ve approached the previous races. Obviously, my aim for Brazil is slightly different from the other Grand Prix: I don’t need to win the race, but that won’t stop me from going into the weekend looking to be as strong as possible."
"Shanghai was a good example of that: we hit the ground running on Friday morning and never looked back. Our aim wasn’t to push too hard, but we found ourselves in a position at the front and took it comfortably from there. That’s what I am hoping to achieve in Brazil - a straightforward weekend that allows me to just focus on my car and my driving."
What do you think of the Interlagos circuit?
LH: "I love the circuit: it’s in this incredible natural arena that is just amazing to race on. And it’s anti-clockwise too - so it presents an additional challenge to the drivers. The track always seems to provide good, close racing: one of the reasons for that is because there’s a long straight leading up to the first corner and you can slipstream other cars and overtake into Turn One. It’s also a place where there seems to be a lot of grip so you can dice with other cars and have fun."
What do you remember of last year’s nail-biting finale in Brazil?
LH: "I went to Interlagos with the title battle still up in the air and all my emotions just bubbling up and down. It was a very emotional time because I knew it would end with either great success or huge disappointment."
"In 2007, things didn’t end up too well for me - but I still had a great first year. Everybody’s always happy to finish the season in Brazil - there’s a real party atmosphere in Sao Paulo on the Sunday night and it’s a perfect place to end such a great season."
Sao Paulo and Interlagos have long been intertwined with the legacy of Ayrton Senna - how does that make you feel?
LH: "Ayrton has always been my favourite driver. I think he’s the best driver there ever was and, still, to this day, I don’t believe anyone would beat him. If I could achieve just a small part of what he achieved, it would be a dream for me."
Heikki Kovalainen - How has your knowledge of the car and the team developed over the 2007 season?
HK: "It didn’t take too long to find where I wanted to be with the team, but it’s taken longer to get used to the MP4-23. Sometimes I’ve pushed the set-up in the wrong direction but, over the year, I’ve found a better direction. I’ve been particularly pleased with my qualifying pace; even from the first race, I was competitive. Now I’m working hard to improve my knowledge of the tyres and everything is headed in the right direction."
With the 2008 season almost finished, how are you approaching the winter?
HK: "It’s been a good season overall. I’ve done a lot of learning throughout the year and I already feel much better prepared for next year. I now understand how to make the car fast and what I need to do to get the most out of it. I thought this year would be more difficult, but I feel I’ve done a good job."
What are your aims for the last race of the year?
HK: "To win it, obviously! With the championship as it is, things are a little different going to Brazil. Clearly, I want to be able to help the team and Lewis wherever necessary - but the easiest way to do that is to be running at the front."
"The team knows I will play my part, but we are also targeting the constructors’ championship. We may be 11 points behind Ferrari, but there are 18 points available in Brazil and we go into the final race still looking at securing both world titles - that has to be our aim."
E.A. © CAPSIS International
The championship finally reaches its climax in Sao Paulo, Brazil, next weekend. And the daunting Interlagos circuit will play host to a thrilling title decider for the fourth successive season, between McLaren Mercedes championship leader Lewis Hamilton who has 94 points and Ferrari driver Felipe Massa on 87.
With each driver poised to win his first world title, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the constructors’ championship has also to be decided; McLaren Mercedes currently lies 11 points behind leaders Ferrari and 12 ahead of BMW Sauber. McLaren has won the Brazilian Grand Prix on 11 occasions, including seven victories at the Interlagos circuit.
Hamilton will be world champion if:
# He wins
# He finishes second
# He finishes third
# He finishes fourth
# He finishes fifth
# He finishes sixth and Massa is second or lower
# He finishes seventh and Massa is second or lower
# He finishes eighth and Massa is third or lower
# He fails to score and Massa is third or lower.
Massa will be world champion if:
# He wins and Hamilton finishes sixth or lower
# He finishes second and Hamilton is eighth or lower.
If the pair are tied on points on Sunday afternoon, Massa would win the title by virtue of more victories (six to Hamilton’s five) or second-place finishes (three to Hamilton’s two).
Lewis Hamilton - How are you approaching this final, crucial weekend of the year?
LH: "Fundamentally the same way I’ve approached the previous races. Obviously, my aim for Brazil is slightly different from the other Grand Prix: I don’t need to win the race, but that won’t stop me from going into the weekend looking to be as strong as possible."
"Shanghai was a good example of that: we hit the ground running on Friday morning and never looked back. Our aim wasn’t to push too hard, but we found ourselves in a position at the front and took it comfortably from there. That’s what I am hoping to achieve in Brazil - a straightforward weekend that allows me to just focus on my car and my driving."
What do you think of the Interlagos circuit?
LH: "I love the circuit: it’s in this incredible natural arena that is just amazing to race on. And it’s anti-clockwise too - so it presents an additional challenge to the drivers. The track always seems to provide good, close racing: one of the reasons for that is because there’s a long straight leading up to the first corner and you can slipstream other cars and overtake into Turn One. It’s also a place where there seems to be a lot of grip so you can dice with other cars and have fun."
What do you remember of last year’s nail-biting finale in Brazil?
LH: "I went to Interlagos with the title battle still up in the air and all my emotions just bubbling up and down. It was a very emotional time because I knew it would end with either great success or huge disappointment."
"In 2007, things didn’t end up too well for me - but I still had a great first year. Everybody’s always happy to finish the season in Brazil - there’s a real party atmosphere in Sao Paulo on the Sunday night and it’s a perfect place to end such a great season."
Sao Paulo and Interlagos have long been intertwined with the legacy of Ayrton Senna - how does that make you feel?
LH: "Ayrton has always been my favourite driver. I think he’s the best driver there ever was and, still, to this day, I don’t believe anyone would beat him. If I could achieve just a small part of what he achieved, it would be a dream for me."
Heikki Kovalainen - How has your knowledge of the car and the team developed over the 2007 season?
HK: "It didn’t take too long to find where I wanted to be with the team, but it’s taken longer to get used to the MP4-23. Sometimes I’ve pushed the set-up in the wrong direction but, over the year, I’ve found a better direction. I’ve been particularly pleased with my qualifying pace; even from the first race, I was competitive. Now I’m working hard to improve my knowledge of the tyres and everything is headed in the right direction."
With the 2008 season almost finished, how are you approaching the winter?
HK: "It’s been a good season overall. I’ve done a lot of learning throughout the year and I already feel much better prepared for next year. I now understand how to make the car fast and what I need to do to get the most out of it. I thought this year would be more difficult, but I feel I’ve done a good job."
What are your aims for the last race of the year?
HK: "To win it, obviously! With the championship as it is, things are a little different going to Brazil. Clearly, I want to be able to help the team and Lewis wherever necessary - but the easiest way to do that is to be running at the front."
"The team knows I will play my part, but we are also targeting the constructors’ championship. We may be 11 points behind Ferrari, but there are 18 points available in Brazil and we go into the final race still looking at securing both world titles - that has to be our aim."
E.A. © CAPSIS International
Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2007
McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008
