Formula One and Hamilton – A Heady Affair!

By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu

            The season is about to end just the way it started. Lewis Hamilton stormed his way into stardom and now the fate of the championship hinges on his! Who would have thought that Formula One would have such a sensational season in the very first year since Michael Schumacher’s retirement? Yet the season has roared on, ingloriously or otherwise, and no one could have predicted this kind of down-to-the-wire scorching finale! And Hamilton will, one way or another, determine who wears the crown made exclusive by the Ferrari’s phenomenal icon!  

            “Hamilton who?” was not only the banner held up by a Fernando Alonso fan. It was also on the lips of most racing aficionados. Would McLaren gamble on a rookie? Was this not the same McLaren that had two Finns heading their line up? Mika Hakkinen may have hung up his boots, but Kimi Raikkonen moved on. But both of them had sufficient star power even as they climbed into the prestigious seat. What was McLaren trying to pull off?

            But Lewis Hamilton shrugged challenges of races, culture and a sore, vengeful past champion to make his entry into Formula One not only dramatic but also, one that history would feel proud to be have chronicled. Even Ferrari fans, who felt lost in the absence of their colossal icon, tried to stay loyal to two stars in Felipe Massa and Raikkonen, could not help but acknowledge Hamilton’s presence, admire even.

           This is not an ode to a McLaren player against a Ferrari. (The author of this piece has moved where Schumacher has travelled and has ended up showing loyalty where Schumacher left her, in the Ferrari pit garage!) But this is a curious reflection on how a debut driver stands not only on the verge of being crowned champion but also, holding the fate of other established drivers, including a two time world champion in his nimble but firm fingers.

           Hamilton went from one ‘fluke’ victory to a champion-like stand repeatedly. Causing consternation for Fernando Alonso was not on the agenda. But causing the world championship to change hands was. Alonso has gone from being heir apparent in Schumacher’s presence to a grouchy, bitter, and embattled and surprisingly aging champion. Empathy would perhaps best describe the emotion one feels for Alonso.

             It is apparent Alonso has moved on from being reserved to being vocal but disappointingly so. Alonso was expected to be treated like a king (his moniker). However, he has been overshadowed almost entirely by a relatively unknown entity who has taken the world by storm by his fascinating adventures. Perhaps Alonso would have saved grace in taking a leaf from Raikkonen. Raikkonen was clearly the star import. As far as Felipe Massa was considered, Schumacher’s overwhelming shadow had only been lifted. But Massa has quickly come into his own and shown that what Raikkonen had in talent, Massa had plenty in perseverance and determination, making this one healthy Ferrari camp.   

            McLaren were a different story together. As the season draws to a close, bitter inter driver rivalry seems a small but equally excruciating headache. All trades and transactions are on hold as Alonso has now to decide if he does decide to honour his contract and make a go at it once more under McLaren’s wings (pun intended) with the prospect of an irksome Hamilton matching him wheel for wheel and spare part for part.

            McLaren have fallen from grace and ironically, in the same season they should have been hailed to take considerable risk on a debutant, one that would go on to challenge the world order, nay, turn it on its head. McLaren were struggling under Ferrari’s shadow for about the last couple of years. This year should have been crowning glory for their stupendous performance. But the controversies have dogged McLaren and Ron Dennis like never before. The fall from grace to outright shame proved rather quick. How Hamilton and Alonso have managed to stay mired in their own dog fight and steer clear of all this malicious scandal is a wonder in itself!

           Hamilton’s crashing out in the Chinese Grand Prix has given Alonso and Raikkonen mouth watering points to still stay in contention. The Brazilian Grand Prix will herald a new champion, or an old. While the permutations and combinations provide possibilities galore, the simple fact remains that Hamilton finishing on top will mean a case of so close yet so far for a silent star in Raikkonen and a bitter finish to a uncomplimentary season at the wheel of the McLaren.  

          The two week wait (a normalcy between races in the Formula one race season) seems suddenly interminable. The Brazilian Grand Prix, always a race held with fascination and trepidation, will now also hold the key to the suspense. No matter what happens, Hamilton will have a say. This page of the history of the Formula One season 2007 hinges on Hamilton. Go on, turn the page, Hamilton! Can’t wait to see what’s on the other side!