The race weekend started dismally for the McLaren-Mercedes F1 Team.  After being plagued by poor weather in the qualifying rounds at Suzuka, followed by a blown piston rod for their star driver Kimi Raikkonen, Mercedes' boss Norbert Haug even went as far as apologizing to his team.

But that was yesterday, and as any race fan knows, it's only the race that counts. In what will be remembered as one of the most exciting races of the seasons, Kimi Raikkonen, starting from the 17th position on the grid, dominated the Japanes Grand Prix and captured his seventh win of the season.

From the start of the race, drama ensued for the McLaren-Mercedes team.  By the end of the first lap, Raikkonen had already moved into twelfth postition; his teammate, Juan Pablo Montoya, didn't fare nearly as well.  Coming out of the first chicane, Montoya was forced off the track, resulting in the safety car being deployed through the first seven laps.

By Lap 14, Kimi had steadily worked his way into seventh position, directly behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher. After the first round of refueling stops, Kimi continued navigating through the field, and by Lap 30, had moved into fourth place.

As the race continued, the three race leaders, Fisichella, Button and Weber, all pitted early, while Raikkonen continued racing and set the fastest lap time of the day at 1m 31.540s. After finally entering the pits on Lap 45, Kimi re-entered the race, now in second position behind Fisichella.  Kimi continued trailing Fisichella, slowly closing the gap until the final lap.  Going into the first turn on Lap 53, Kimi made his move, overtaking Fisichella and moving into first position.  Kimi then went on to win the Japanese Grand Prix and his seventh race of the season, with a lead time of just under two seconds.

Norbert, Norbert, Norbert, I've told you a hundred times.  Relax compadre.  So what if your guys blow a piston rod every now and then; that just gives them extra incentive to try harder. Haven't you ever heard of Seabiscuit?  Sure he was smaller than everybody else, sure he was the underdog - but that just made him work harder.  I don't know much about managing a F1 team, but after seeing this race, you might even want to consider blowing your guy's piston rods more often.  Just my two cents.

You can check out the full race press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


F1 Suzuka: Kimi Räikkönen Wins From 17th On The Grid



Suzuka, Oct 09, 2005

The start: After finished the last Grand Prix in first and second positions, Juan Pablo and Kimi were the last drivers in the qualifying order. They were handicapped by heavy in rain in the last part of qualifying and therefore started 17th and 18th respectively. Kimi completed the opening lap 12th. Juan Pablo was side by side with Jacques Villeneuve (Sauber Petronas) coming out of the chicane before start and finish and was pushed off the track. The accident caused the race to be neutralised as the safety car was deployed.

The race: At the end of the seventh lap the safety car was withdrawn and the race proper was resumed. By lap 14 Kimi was up to seventh place behind Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Renault). By lap 24 Kimi was up to second place behind Michael Schumacher coming up to the first round of refuelling stops. At the end of lap 26 Kimi followed Schumacher in to make his first stop in 8.3s. He resumed sixth, then moved up to fifth and then overtook Schumacher for fourth place going into lap 30. Race leader Giancarlo Fisichella made his second stop on lap 38. This allowed Jenson Button (BAR-Honda) into the lead ahead of Mark Webber (Williams-BMW) and Kimi, the three of them covered by 1.1sec. Button and Webber made their second stops on lap 41 with Kimi setting the fastest race lap in 1m 31.540s on lap 44 before making his final stop in 4.9sec on lap 45, resuming second behind Fisichella. He reduced Fisichella's lead steadily and overtook him going into the final lap to win by just under two seconds.

Comments

Kimi Räikkönen: “That was one of my best races ever with a lot of hard work and I really enjoyed myself. Considering all the problems we have had here to come away with a win is just fantastic. I was pushing as hard as I could and the car just got better and better. After my second stop I had gained enough on Fisichella to go for it and I did. I got past him on the last lap coming into the first corner and it was one of those opportunities you have to take. Today’s result means that I have the best possible position for qualifying in China but as this weekend showed that is no guarantee. I look forward to Shanghai where we will do everything we can to win the Constructors’ Championship.”

Juan Pablo Montoya: “What a disappointment for me and my team. I got off the line well but it was a bit crowded at the first two corners and I think and Kimi and I gently touched but fortunately nothing happened. However then Villeneuve missed the chicane and pushed me off the track and that was the end of my race.”

Ron Dennis, Team Principal: “Probably the best race of Kimi’s career and a fantastic reward for the team’s efforts in what has been a challenging weekend. The strategy was executed in a professional and disciplined manner and Michelin also performed to their usual high standard. Unfortunately Juan Pablo was the victim of an incident with Jacques Villeneuve which is currently being investigated by the Stewards and we expect them to share our opinion.”

Norbert Haug, Vice President Mercedes-Benz Motorsport:

“Congratulations to Kimi and the entire team for this outstanding performance. Both drivers had a big handicap starting from the back which meant that Juan Pablo was a victim in the traffic on the first lap. Kimi had to fight hard to make progress being hampered by lots of traffic. The team’s strategy helped him and he gave it his all. Passing Fisichella on the outside of the first corner on the last lap was one of the greatest moves we have seen for a long time – probably since Mika’s in Spa 2000. Thanks to Michelin for an excellent job and their first Formula One win in Japan. Thanks to all the team members and we give it our all in China next week.”

Copyright © 2005, DaimlerChrysler AG