Formula One Times: 3rd November...Drivers' Championship Aftermath

A temporary change in author for the Formula One Times today as regular, Paul Heffernan, takes a short vacation from Bleacher and leaves me, Adam Poole, in charge of his baby.

Brazil Championship: The Way it was Won

In what can only be described as the most exciting and emotional Grand-Prix of the 2008 season, millions watched as Lewis Hamilton went on to become the youngest ever World Drivers Championship as Felipe Massa's hopes were killed.

The Championship wasn't won until the final corner of the race when Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton passed P4 man, Timo Glock, putting Hamilton into the crucial fifth place he needed to win the title. 

Glock was the only one of the front-runners not to pit when it started raining within the last seven laps of the race, the Toyota struggled with traction, but with a 15 second lead over Vettel and Hamilton, Massa thought he was home and dry with Hamilton languishing down in sixth, one place below where he needed to finish to take the title back to Stevenage.

Amid rumours that Glock slowed to allow Hamilton to get past, and ultimately win the Driver's Championship, the Toyota driver told the media, “I was fighting as hard as I could but it was so difficult to just keep the car on the track and I lost positions right at the end of the lap."

"They both [Hamilton and Massa] did a really great job all year and in the end it was a dramatic finale.  I think it's exactly what the fans want to see—maybe the Brazilian fans are not on my side any more but I tried my best and drove my race, and in the end I can't change it," the German continued on to say.

Championship Aftermath

Lewis Hamilton and the McLaren team are reported to have left the Interlagos circuit under police protection. 

The whole team were booked to stay in a Sao Paulo hotel for the final night of the race weekend, but due to concerns over security following the Brit's championship win, it is believed that the whole team, including mechanics and technicians, were flown out of town for the night before expecting to fly back to London  in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

No Ride for Fernando Announced

It was believed that Renault would announce the extension of Fernando Alonso's contract yesterday—the contract would see the Spaniard at Renault for a further year.  However, amid all the fuss over the Drivers Championship win, no such announcement was made. 

Alonso, who finished yesterday's race in second after fighting hard all the way through, has been reported by Spanish media to have already signed the contract and is just waiting for the right moment to announce it.  It is also reported that Fernando signed the contract after the "failure of an approach" by BMW.  Alonso has also stated that there was "no chance" he would be joining Ferrari for 2009.

Senna Name Back in F1

Honda have officially announced that Ayrton Senna's nephew, Bruno, will have a place as their test driver for the 2009 season next week.  It was believed that Senna was also in talks with Toro Rosso, the team co-owned by his late uncle Ayrton Senna's former McLaren teammate Gerhard Berger, but Senna seemed to be in favor of the Honda option. 

Team Principal Ross Brawn told the press, "We are delighted to provide Bruno with the opportunity to test for us later this month as we continue to explore all the driver options available to us for next season."

Barrichello Has No Drive for 2009

Rubens Barrichello looks set to have a long wait before he finds out if Honda require him for next season.  Honda have confirmed plans to evaluate Bruno Senna for the second race seat next year after taking the late Ayrton Senna's nephew on as their test driver. 

It is reported that Rubens will have to wait until the end of the month before any decisions are made. Nick Fry, Honda Racing Team Principal, has said, "I think it is important that we bring some fresh blood into F1. There are some good guys out there and we want to try them out."

Dennis Not Going Anywhere

Many have said that McLaren CEO, Ron Dennis, would step down now that McLaren have their first World Championship since 1999, but the 61-year-old denies these claims and insists he isn't making any decisions regarding retirement.

In the wake of last year's Spy Scandal it was believed that Dennis would cede his Woking-based outfit to Cheif Executive, Martin Whitmarsh, as soon as the team secured one more championship.  Speaking to the media, Dennis said, "I love Formula One.  I've not given any thought to anything other than winning a World Championship."  It is now believed that Dennis will stay with McLaren through a further two years at least.

A Final Mention to Felipe Massa

In the wake of the first British Champion since 1996, many will have forgotten Felipe Massa.  The Brazilian did everything he had to do on Sunday, he won the race and right at the last second, he lost the Driver's Championship. 

Massa, although obviously upset, managed to deal with this like a real gentleman and in a very sportsman-like manner.  All due respect to Massa for the decorum and spirit he showed, and more respect for his driving this year—he never let Hamilton get away!

Formula One Times...Author Mix-Up?!

At this moment in time, it is unclear when Paul Heffernan will return to writing the "Times," but in the mean time, anything that you think I can add to the articles, please post as a note on my profile.  Also, if you believe I can make something better, again, let me know.

For now...Ciao!