07.10.2007

NEWS FROM OUR RIVALS

Lewis Hamilton lost his chance to seal the world championship in Shanghai when he went off at the last corner on worn tyres. Hamilton led the early stages of the race on intermediate tyres but ended up in the gravel as he came into the pits. Kimi Raikkonen took full advantage to take a maximum 10 points and with Fernando Alonso finishing second, the championship now goes down to the last race in Brazil. Hamilton now has a four point advantage over Alonso and a seven point margin over Raikkonen with one race remaining.

Shanghai was a highly successful race for Scuderia Toro Rosso which, after losing its first point of the season in Japan when Tonio Liuzzi had 25s added to his race time, finished the Chinese race with both cars in the points. Sebastian Vettel finished a delighted fourth, ahead of Jenson Button, Tonio Liuzzi in the second Toro Rosso, Nick Heidfeld and David Coulthard.

RACE REPORT

Panasonic Toyota Racing came away from Shanghai without any points to show for their efforts in the Chinese Grand Prix but it was not for the want of trying on the part of Ralf Schumacher.

The German, who leaves the team at the end of the season, equalled his season best qualifying performances at Silverstone and Hungaroring when he lined up sixth on the grid for the penultimate round of the 17-race world championship. Unfortunately for Ralf, he spun off as he tried to avoid another car on the first lap of the second race in succession to be started on a wet, slippery surface.

"It was the worst possible start to a race when you have qualified on the front three rows," Ralf said. "The car was competitive all weekend and I knew there was a good chance to score strong points today."