Today, Fernando Alonso became the youngest World Championship driver in the history of Formula One as he finished third from a strong 1-2 finish from McLaren, with Montoya coming out on top at Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Alonso, who started the race from pole position, who had to finish third or higher to be crowned the new champion, did just so as he drove a consistent race, as the McLarens finished in their first 1-2 victory since Austria 2000.
The race started quite eventfully as the safety car was called out onto the second lap after Red Bull’s David Coulthard, and both the Williams of Antonio Pizzonia and Mark Webber collided just after the start of the race. Webber who also experianced a pit lane fire after pitting after the incident, but was able to get his car back on track to obtain an improved qualifying position for the next Grand Prix at Suzuka in Japan on October 9th.
It was just after the safty car period that Juan Pablo Montoya was able to take advantage of an inside pass on Alonso and took P1. Kimi Raikonnen who started the race from fifth position, after an absurd error filled qualifying lap, was able to then speed home ahead of his champion rival for second place.
Outgoing World Champion, Michael Schumacher, finished the race in an encouraging forth place for the struggling Ferrari team. Alonso’s Renault teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella finished in fifth place, ahead of hometown hero, Rubens Barrichello. Jenson Button, who struggled for race pace, and Ralf Schumacher rounded out the points for this historic Brazilian Grand Prix.
Red Bull Racing’s Christian Klien, who started the race from sixth position after a personal best qualifying effort, finished a solid 9th position just outside of the points as his car struggled for straight line speed. The race continued with minimal incidents, with only two more retirements of Minardi’s Robert Doornbas, and Jordan’s Tiago Monteiro exiting with mechanical problems.
With McLaren’s 1-2 finish, has now moved them two points clear of Renault, for the first time this season, for the World Constructors Championship. Now with only two races left for the end of season 2005, and the World Drivers Championship wrapped up by the young Spaniard, both teams of McLaren and Renault will now be striving more then ever to triumph in the race for the Constructors Championship.
Congratulations to Fernando Alonso, Formula One Champion for season 2005.
Dane Norton
DailyF1News.com
