Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro
Chassis: F2007

Drivers:

5. Felipe Massa (BRA)
6. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)

Qualifying:



Race:



After the departure of both Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn, many expected this season to be a transitional year for the Scuderia. They had drafted in Kimi Raikkonen to replace the 7-time world champion and after pre-season they were expected to challenge for wins but still had their doubters. It all changed though after the first group of flyaway races. Raikkonen won convincingly at the opening round in Australia, and took podiums at the next two races before suffering a mechanical failure at Barcelona. His team-mate Felipe Massa finished 6th and 5th respectively at the first two rounds before he took victory at Bahrain, before winning the first European round of the season at Spain. They then seemed to lose their way over the next 3 races, scoring two podiums between them and Massa being disqualified at Canada for exiting the pit lane when the red light was on.

But once the F1 circus got back to Europe it all changed. Kimi Raikkonen, who many had said had lost motivation after a lack of form, won at both Magny-Cours and Silverstone, and took pole at the Nurburgring before retiring. Massa had a chance to take the win at the 'Ring, but a late downpour caught him out and handed the victory to Alonso. Despite finishing behind Alonso at Hungary, Massa took the win next time out at Turkey before Spygate turned the season around. Ferrari secured the constructors title with a 1-2 finish at Spa and Raikkonen went to the final 3 races. But a retirement each for the McLaren drivers, with a Kimi win at Shanghai, meant that Raikkonen had a chance to take the title at the final race in Brazil. Excellent tactics from Ferrari meant that the Finn was able to take the title - Ferrari's first in 3 years.



It was a great season by Ferrari but one which nobody expected. After such convincing form at the start, they lost their way before gaining it. After the US GP, Raikkonen was 26 points behind championship leader Hamilton, yet finished a point ahead of him at the finish - a remarkable turnaround by anyone's standards. The Finn was drafted in to replace Michael Schumacher and has done his job by taking the title. He had a reputation of being fast but a car-breaker - only one of them remained at the end of the season. As for Massa, his breakthrough as a championship contender never quite came through despite being there or thereabouts all season. His three vicotories were all dominant, but he never quiet showed the same speed as Raikkonen. With his contracted extended he should have at least one more chance of the title.

Just out of curiosity to all you number crunchers out there, had Mclaren not had there WCC points deducted and had they scored just one more point to be level with Ferrari, which team would have won the WCC?

You're asking about WCC tie breakers?

Yes mate, who would have won and why?

Ferrari would have won because they had 9 wins to McLarens 8

Cheers <thumbsup>

Did Mclaren actually appeal their Hungary points loss?

No they didn't SAFC.

Ok, that would have made things very interesting in the constructors' standings then!

Both the WDC and WCC are, in the event of a tie, decided on countback. Firstly by wins, then seconds etc.... One scenario for Brazil had both McLaren drivers equal on points, and it would have to go all the way down to the number of FIFTH place finishes to work it out on countback. If the number of each finish is the same after every finish is taken into account, then the rules say the tie will be solved by the FIA choosing the person/team they believe has made the best contribution to the sport that year.