As I sit here in my hotel room in Rio, after witnessing the grand finale in person, I am unable to sleep as I await my morning flight back home. I went through the whole gambit of emotions and feelings this past weekend, and especially on Sunday.
From jubilant euphoria, to unbearable anxiety, shock, hope, despair again, confusion, resignation and finally acceptance of Hamilton’s final 2007 outcome.

Before I move on, I would still like to get a clear understanding of McClaren’s 3 stop strategy with Hamilton. Basically with all the problems, that third stop essentially cost him the championship, ( or at the very least, a fighting chance). If they had just fueled him accordingly for two stops, he would have gotten to the 4, 5,&6th drivers with about 10 laps remaining. But all the ifs’, should haves’ and could haves’ don’t change the outcome anymore.

As to the fuel temperature inquiry, I am not really sure how to feel about the situation, but find it strange that 2 different teams would have the same issue. I can live with the steward’s verdict.

Someone on another thread said: The guy I wanted to win didn’t win; the guy who I didn’t want to win, didn’t; The guy who won, I can live with that.

So congrats to Kimi for a job well done. Winning 6 GP’s and showing solid consistency all throughout the year is no small feat. He is a worthy champion and after 8 years has finally reached the pinnacle of his sport.

Congratulations for Hamilton, for an incredible first season, and overcoming a myriad of on/off track dilemma’s in a dignified manner.

Alonso, I hope that he can put this year behind him and embark on serious reflection as to his legacy, the type of person he wants to be perceived and a new sense dignity and reverence required of a 2 time champion. If he leaves MacClaren then good luck to him wherever he goes, if he stays at McClaren, then may we see a matured and more amiable racer and teammate.


It has been a wonderful season, full of intrigue and scandal, excitement and shock. Surprise results, incredible performances. Teams like Super Aguri mixing it up in Canada ( before Honda put a stop to that) , Torro Rosso coming on strong at Fuji and China. The emergence of BMW, the futility of Honda, The Germany race, etc. etc. etc. If we all look back at the year through an honest lense, then one has to say there was something for everyone in 2007. lots of cheers and tears. A season that was anything but hollow.

As we go into the off season, many questions are still to be answered. Drivers changes, retirements and maneuverings are abound. A new team might emerge, or might not. New liveries will be presented, new tracks will be added. As they say, the circus might have ended, but the carnivale continues.

As to everyone on here, thanks for a robust and enthralling dialogue throughout the season. For some I hope the time off provides you with your own quiet reflection as to attitudes, comments and opinions. Yet for others, hope that they realize that F1 isn’t warfare. For the vast majority of you, it has been a pleasure in 2007. Thanks to the mods for cleaning up some messes here at the end and for a good job all year long, in what surely has been your toughest year.
I was going to respond to a few post here and there and then realized, the best thing to do was to take a step back myself. Take my own break for a few weeks and just spend time looking back at an incredible F1 season.

Congrats to Kimi,
Cheers to LH,
A toast to Massa
A hope for a wiser/dignified Alonso
Good Bye Indy
Good Bye Spyker
Good Bye Scott Speed
Good Bye Ralf ( or hello again?)

I'll enjoy reading everyone elses' comments on the season and hope that this or subsequent post in this thread don't get dissected or over analyzed or denigrade into a " my driver/team is better than your driver/team" thing.

Let's leave the anger and hatred at the door and just celebrate a trully unforgettable season.

See you all in a few weeks