Wednesday, November 28, 2007

2007 Formula 1 review

2007 Formula 1 review
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->So I still cannot believe that Kimi Raikkonen won the 2007 Driver’s Title! Although as I’ve said before, I’ve been a fan of the “Iceman” since his rookie season in 2001… DAMN! Still can’t find his rookie Sauber card I bought back then. It just seemed like the odds were against him this season, while Lewis Hamilton was poised to become the series very first ever rookie to win the title. Yet Kimi did what he needed to do, by scoring his sixth win of the season in San Paulo… <!--[endif]-->
Taking a page from my favourite Formula 1 “rag” (F1 Racing) here’s a quick look at the “Good, Bad and UGLY” of the 2007 season.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
Rookie of the Year
That’s a “Slam Dunk!” Its none other than “Louise Jaguar” Hamilton. (Uh Duh!) Although there were actually five rookies contesting this years championship. (Statistically) Adrian Sutil and Markus Winkelhock, <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Spyker F1, Heikki Kovalainen, Renault; Sebastian Vettel, BMW Sauber/Scuderia Toro Rosso and “Jaguar.” Hamilton was simply head ‘N shoulders above the rest. After setting a new record for most consecutive podiums and scoring an amazing four victories… Lewis was “That Close” to making history. But then again, that’s why they run the races, eh? <!--[endif]-->
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Yet since Hamilton was in clearly superior machinery, should he get the nod, or should one of the less fortunate drivers be selected? As I’d have to suggest that Sebastian Vettel was the true rookie revolation of the season. <!--[endif]-->
Car of the Year
This one is a hard choice for me. If I was going solely by favoritisms, then the Ferrari F2007 would get the nod, as I’m prone to say “immer Ferrari!” And the Scuderia has plenty to give credo to this choice, with its two drivers scoring 9 victories this season.
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But “Stepney Gate” not withstanding, Mclaren would have been the clear Constructors winner and hence I’ll obligingly give the MP4/2x the nod!
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Driver of the Year
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Of course this could and may be argued about for quite some time, as the top four drivers all figure into the equation. For Ferrari we have Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, while McLaren has Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. <!--[endif]-->
And while Massa may be the “weakest” of these four drivers, Alonso’s ANTICS both On and OFF track clearly eliminate him from this selection. Therefore its between Hamilton and Raikkonen. And since he won his first World Championship in great style by never giving up… Kimi Raikkonen gets the nod.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
Most improved
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->This one is a hard choice for me. The obvious selection would probably be BMW Sauber, which has just gone about its business since taking a majority stake in Peter Sauber’s ‘lil F1 team. But BMW has fairly large resources to draw from and thus I’ll select another outfit instead. <!--[endif]-->
My sentimental favourite would definitely be the Spyker, err Force India F1 as I really think rookie Adrian Sutil will be one of the sports future stars. And I suppose one could give the nod to Williams for outperforming its “Works” brethren, but my pick is none other than Professor Matchett’s favourite Minnow… Affectionaly known as “Super Best Friends!” As Super Aguri vastly OUTPERFORMED its Big Brother Honda ALL season, only to be bested by the Japanese giant 6-4 in Constructors points at the very end of the season…<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->
Biggest Disappointment
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->I’d have to say without a doubt it would be the Honda F1 team this season. With such hopes upon unveiling their “Planet Earth” theme, things went into the crapper quickly. Hmm, guess it’s NOT nice to FOOL Mother Nature, eh? <!--[endif]-->
Scandal of the Year
Obviously without a doubt, “Stepney-Gate” has to loom as the worst episode of the F1 circus this season. And I still think it partially has to do with “sour grapes,” as long time Ferrari loyalist Nigel Stepney was feeling discarded by the new “Italian Regime” which has taken over the reigns of the Prancing Horse upon Michael Schumacher’s exitous.
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Loser of the Year
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->I guess it boils down to whom you’re talking about, since Robin Miller would probably vote for Ron Dennis, whom I don’t think is quite as “Squeaky Clean” as he’s painfully tried making us believe. <!--[endif]-->
Yet, my vote is for Fernando Alonso, whom I’ve NOT liked for the past few years now. Ok, he beat Schuey fair ‘N square on track to become the youngest Formula 1 World Champion, but he’s always been a spoil-sport to me… And this year’s shenanigan’s have firmly elevated him to his most deserving moniker; “Ferdi the Putz!” Then again I guess may be he’s got big kahoona’s for trying to Blackmail the Ronster, eh? But Ferdi is a royal Jack Ass…