22.10.2007

Final Fling

The Brazilian Grand Prix marked the final race weekend at Panasonic Toyota Racing for Ralf Schumacher, and the race team were determined not to miss the opportunity to say farewell.

In his three years with the team, Ralf has enjoyed some special memories, including a stunning pole position on home ground in Japan two years ago as well as three podium finishes.

Those memories came flooding back to the race team when they signed a rear wing end plate to remind Ralf of his time at Toyota. Chairman and Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina spoke for the whole race team when he wished Ralf the very best for the future, as well as thanking him for their excellent contributions.

Yamashina–san added: "Ralf brought valuable experience to the team and helped us move forward. He has worked well with the team and in many ways we are sorry our relationship is coming to an end. However, circumstances change and we wish Ralf all the best in his future career."

There was also a tasty surprise in store, with a large cake presented as the whole race team looked on in the Interlagos pit lane.

NEWS FROM OUR RIVALS

The most exciting World Championship battle for many a year came to a suitably dramatic conclusion at Interlagos when Kimi Raikkonen took the crown thanks to his win in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

For the first time since 1986, three drivers – Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen – went into the final race with a chance to win the title.

The Constructors’ Championship was decided long ago in favour of Ferrari but the race for the drivers' crown could not have been more tense.

Hamilton, who started second in his McLaren-Mercedes, lost several places on the first lap and before his car slowed dramatically on lap nine. He was able to resume at racing speed but only after dropping to the back of the field.

He fought his way back to finish seventh but it was not enough. Raikkonen’s win, ahead of Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, gave him the title by a point. Alonso finished third and, like Hamilton, ended the campaign just a point behind the champion Raikkonen.

RACE REPORT

Panasonic Toyota Racing concluded the 2007 Formula 1 season as they started it, with a points finish, thanks to Jarno Trulli's 8th in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Jarno fought within the top eight all race and completed a strong performance by taking a point, while Ralf Schumacher battled well to move up to 11th by the end of his final race with the team.

On a very hot afternoon, with track temperatures at an incredible 63°C, Jarno lined up 8th on the grid after his good lap in third qualifying while Ralf started in 15th determined to make progress after a disappointing Saturday.

The first corner at Interlagos, the Senna S, is traditionally a chaotic affair and this time was no different as 22 cars battled to squeeze through. Ralf was hit by Heikki Kovalainen but was able to continue.

That cost him some ground while Jarno was 8th at the end of the first lap, moving up a spot on lap nine when Lewis Hamilton encountered problems while Ralf also made progress and moved back to 15th.

Jarno was into the top six on lap 15 and on lap 22 he pitted for another set of the soft Bridgestone Potenza tyres as part of his three-stop strategy. Ralf was on a different strategy and pitted for the first time on lap 33 after running in the top 10.

Jarno pushed hard to stay in the fight for a top six place and made a second stop on lap 43 before a late switch to super soft tyres, with the pit crew getting him back on track quick enough to claim a well–deserved point in the final race of the season.

"I am happy because we finished the season scoring one more point after quite a long time," Jarno said. "We all battled with the tyres. We took the gamble to go on a three stop strategy and I think in the end 8th position was quite good.

"It is good for the motivation of the team and I would like to thank everybody because it has been hard but we never gave up. That is the most important thing because we have to look ahead to the future, to improve the car and the performance. I believe we have the potential and I think next year we can bounce back to the front."

Ralf worked hard in the heat to move up to 11th and he had kind words for the team after his final race for Toyota, saying: "It is my last race for Toyota and sure after three years it is a bit of a shame to be leaving but it has been a pleasure to work together with the whole team. I have enjoyed my time here at I am looking forward to seeing some of the guys for a drink in the future."