Justice for Hamilton

2008-09-08 07:21

Natalie Le Clue

Spa-Francorchamps could not have delivered a more nerve-racking race if it tried. Having predicted Kimi Raikkonen as the winner in my preview, I wasn't feeling incredibly excited after the Finn's qualifying performance (where he finished fourth). However, what he did in the race itself in the middle of the Belgian forest was nothing short of heroic.

In Formula One some of the most advanced technology is utilised, while some of the world's sharpest minds work out strategies and potential scenarios. There appears to be no limit to the money available to top teams, yet none of these factors were at play in Raikkonen's cockpit.

Fourth place in qualifying behind his two main rivals would've thrilled his critics. Imagine how shocked, even appalled, they must've been as Raikkonen stormed into first place soon after the start and romped off into the distance.

He had an incredible getaway, but it wasn't about wheel-spin, tyres being at optimum temperature or some or other technical ground. No - it was about determination. Raikkonen knew he had to win the race and more importantly he wanted to win the race. It certainly looked like Hamilton had the faster car in both qualifying and the race, but the pièce de résistance... Half a tenth quicker in sector one, three tenths quicker in the middle sector, half a second quicker over the entire lap. Tenth by crucial tenth, Raikkonen extended the lead over a no doubt perplexed Hamilton. By the time the second pit stops were completed Hamilton was still behind the Ferrari, but now able to close the gap considerably each lap.

Very pretentious

What happened next is not what race fans like to see. Hamilton passed Raikkonen illegally coming into the Bus Stop chicane and then proceeded to claim the position. Until the closing stages of the race, with the help of a sprinkling of rain, Hamilton had not been able to match Raikkonen. Was this reason he reverted to dirty tactics? Is this the form that Hamilton's desperation takes when he sees no other way out? Whatever answer may be, the decision to add 25 seconds to his race time by the race stewards (effectively, a drive-through penalty) was a just one.

The post-race comments made by Hamilton were very pretentious - blaming the incident on Raikkonen saying that he should have been fairer. Er - Someone ought to tell Lewis that it was he who cut the chicane, not the other way round! Perhaps after being booed by the crowd on the podium he was feeling a little defensive?

McLaren have launched an appeal against the penalty but I fail to see the reasoning behind that one. What will McLaren bring to an appeal that can dispute the obvious facts of the situation? What do they want the stewards to look at that they have not already reviewed? Best to take it on the chin, I reckon.

All came to nought

Back to Raikkonen - who after crashing out with just a lap to go - will now have one almighty battle on his hands if he is to defend his drivers' crown. But Raikkonen fans take heart because on Sunday he showed the critics that he has not lost any of his ability, motivation and driving-skill. Sometimes being second isn't enough and only being on top is what counts. If you have that attitude, sometimes you lose out - like Raikkonen did in Belgium.

But I saw a Raikkonen that fights, and that's the man we have come to know. Although it all came to nought, it was a great sight to see him on top of his game. And he deserves credit for that. Now 19 points behind the championship leader, he is certainly going to need to be on top of his game!

Natalie is Sport24's F1 columnist.

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