2007 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
Fernando Alonso MP4-22 0 6
Lewis Hamilton MP4-22 0 5
T-car (Fernando) MP4-22 0 3
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished
the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona in second position. It
was his third consecutive second place. Today’s result
means that he takes the lead in the Drivers’ Championship
with 30 points. After 65 laps, Lewis came home 6.7 seconds
behind winner Felipe Massa. Fernando Alonso ended up third
following an incident at the first corner and is second in
the Drivers’ Championship with 28 points. Lewis and
Fernando were both on two stop strategies. Lewis came in on
laps 22 (8.5 seconds) and 47 (6.7 seconds). Fernando made
his pit stops on laps 19 (9.7 seconds) and 48 (6.7 seconds).
After four out of 17 races, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is the
only team to score points in every race of the season with
both drivers. The team leads the Constructors’ rankings
with 58 points ahead of Ferrari on 49 points.
LEWIS HAMILTON
“Things just keep getting better and I continue living
my dream. In the early stages I was struggling to get heat
into the tyres and had a bit of oversteer, but things improved
considerably a few laps into the race - however the gap to
Felipe was already too big. In the second stint I was a bit
unlucky with the traffic, but that happens sometimes. Overall
I’m happy with the outcome of the race, and I want to
keep on scoring points. The team has worked really hard since
Bahrain and whilst we didn’t win I still think we can
take some satisfaction as we are leading both Championships.”
FERNANDO ALONSO
“My chance for victory disappeared after the incident
at the first corner. I got off the line OK at the start and
was able to get a tow from Felipe and challenge into the first
corner as I was already half a car length in front however
we touched, and I had to go on the gravel to avoid an accident.
We were both lucky to finish the race. As a result by the
second corner I was fourth. I also sustained a bit of damage
to my car which upset the balance for the rest of the race.
I lost additional time in the second stint as the tyres were
not working as well, but I still think the result would have
stayed the same even if we had used the softer tyres.”
RON DENNIS
“Coming into the Monaco Grand Prix being first and second
in the Drivers’ Championship and leading the Constructors’
battle is a good achievement for the entire team. Our pace
was a little weak in the middle sector. Fernando’s race
was hampered by having damaged his deflector during his efforts
to get past Massa in the first corner. Another solid performance
from Lewis. As you would expect we will continue to push hard
in our development programme to put the team in the best possible
position to win as many of the remaining races as possible.”
NORBERT HAUG
“It’s great that Lewis and Fernando are at the
top of the list in the Drivers’ Championship after the
fourth race here in Barcelona. Well done and thank you to
all the team members for leading the Constructors’ rankings
too. Fernando showed a great and committed manoeuvre in the
first corner that unfortunately didn’t pay off. Lewis
again did a great job – we will keep pushing and will
increase our performance further. We are now looking forward
to the next race in Monaco in two weeks time.”
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