McLaren were responsible for scripting one of Formula One’s most horrible tales when they were found guilty of espionage at a hearing in Paris on Friday but now they seem to have taken the onus upon themselves to drive the sport out of the deep ditch in which it has fallen. The Belgian Grand Prix has always maintained a corner of affection in every driver’s heart and the McLaren duo of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton appear to have decided to make the statement of intent clear to one and all.
During Friday’s free practice session, defending world champion Alonso lapped fastest with his teammate and championship-leader Hamilton coming second. The double world champion clocked 1 minute 46.654 seconds and told reporters that it had been a “normal Friday” for him.
Teammate Hamilton, who leads the championship going into Sunday’s race at Spa, echoed the Spaniard’s views. The Briton told reporters:
It’s quite easy to focus. If anything it may be harder for the team, but they’re doing a great job. The team have been through a lot this year but they are still fighting. If anything, this makes us more determined. We continue pushing and will try to win as many races as possible.
Yet, the Constructors’ title for McLaren has virtually flown out of the window. The team has been stripped of its 2007 Constructors’ points and fined US $100 million by F1 governing body International Automobile Federation (FIA); their nearest challengers Ferrari are virtually guaranteed of clinching the Constructors’ Championship. Hamilton leads the Drivers’ Championship with four more races remaining this season with teammate Alonso a mere 3 points behind in second and Ferrari’s Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen in third, 18 points off the pace.
Image Source: People
Source: New Zealand Herald
