Alonso makes it three…
Wins of the 2007 season with a stunning run to victory in the unpredictable and wildly changeable European GP at the Nürburgring.
Right off the line, it looked like Ferrari had the weekend wrapped up. Kimi Raikkonen took pole position in Qualifying with a solid lap, Alonso second in the McLaren - and Massa only four tenths behind in third.
And it was Massa who would shine. Eclipsing Alonso at the start and almost managing to challenge Kimi for the lead of the race.
That was until about the second corner when the heavens opened up and began causing a significant drama for everyone on the track.
Amazingly, it was Spyker and Markus Winkelhock - who after Qualifying last, decided to start the race from pitlane, anticipating the rain, who made the most of the situation. Slapping on a set of wet-weather tyres, allowing the German to lead his home race, on his Grand Prix racing debut.
Drivers forced to make an extra lap on dry tyres (including Raikkonen, who after making a last-minute decision to pit for Wets, came in too fast, sliding over the pit entry and exit lines and back to the track for another lap) all lost out heavily. Some ending their races - aquaplaning sideways and backwards in the lake that was turn one.
Shortly after, the race was red flagged. The survivors returned to their grid positions under safety car and were allowed to repair and refit for the race restart.
The clouds parted and with the track quickly drying out, the race began again.
On lap 34, having made up significant positions after earlier misfortunes, Raikkonen began slowing - a hydraulics failure - continuing his bad luck streak at the German venue.
Leaving Massa and Alonso out front, well ahead of their nearest rivals. It looked like Massa had this one in the bag. A 5 second lead and basically matching Alonso’s times lap after lap. You could sense that, with only 12 laps to go, it was time to wrap up, turn the engines down and cruise to the finish.
However, only minutes later, yet another rain storm would decide the race was far from over just yet.
Down it came - and drivers dived to the pits for Intermediates.
Alonso almost made contact with Fisichella such was the state of emergency in the pitlane. And when they emerged back to the track, it was clear that the race - and Alonso’s position - was far from decided.
Immediately, the Spaniard was challenging Massa, much faster on his out lap and to within less than a second by the middle sector. All over the Brazilian’s gearbox, drafting the Ferrari down the straights, looking for hints of grip on the outsides of every corner, more confident under braking, trying to pressure Massa into a mistake.
On lap 55, it began. Alonso went to the outside on the very same corner that he almost lost it on in Qualifying, and wheel-to-wheel with Massa, they touched, before Alonso came through and secured the lead.
After that, it was all over - Alonso disappearing into the distance and taking the chequered flag.
“I like the rain, when it happens I am happy,” said Alonso.
Webber, Alex Wurz, David Coulthard, Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and Kovalainen completing the points-scoring positions. Kovalainen’s gamble to switch early in the final stint to wet tyres not paying off. And Australian Mark Webber’s first podium since 2005, though almost lost to Wurz in the last corner.
With Lewis Hamilton’s 9th place finish - out of the points - the Drivers’ standing has closed up once again; Alonso now only 2 points behind his team mate.
22 started, 13 would finish. One of the most exciting races in recent history. Amazing strategies, equally incredible driving, enthralling viewing.
The championships in F1 for 2007 are alive and well.
