F1 2007: the plot thickens...

Update 2 (after race): KIMI RAIKKONEN IS EARTH CHAMPION

Rank outsider of the three-way title contenders going into the Interlagos final, Kimi Raikkonen pulled off one of the biggest
upsets in Formula 1 history to claim his maiden world championship
crown, overcoming a 7-point deficit in the penultimate  race.

2007 Hall Of Fame

                        

Update 1 (after qualifying): Brazilian Grand Prix starting grid

1. Felipe Massa    2. Lewis Hamilton    3. Kimi  Raikkonen   4. Fernando Alonso

Interlagos, Brazil 22-10-2007

This is it, then: Fittingly, one of the most
enthralling seasons in recent memory will conclude with a three-way
title decider in Brazil this weekend.

ContenderNo1-LewisHamilton(GBR),McLarenMercedes,107 points

Cheerleader- Jodie Ma

For Hamilton to become champion:
Hamilton first or second
or Hamilton third, fourth or fifth; Alonso second or lower
or Hamilton sixth or seventh; Alonso third or lower; Raikkonen second or lower
or Hamilton eighth; Alonso fourth or lower; Raikkonen third or lower
or Hamilton out of the points; Alonso fifth or lower; Raikkonen third or lower

ContenderNo.2-FernandoAlonso(SPA),McLarenMercedes,103 points

Cheerleader- Raquel del Rosario

For Alonso to become champion:
Alonso first; Hamilton third or lower
or Alonso second; Hamilton sixth or lower
or Alonso third; Hamilton eighth or lower; Raikkonen second or lower
or Alonso fourth; Hamilton out of the points; Raikkonen third or lower

ContenderNo.3, KimiRaikkonen(FIN),Ferrari,100 points

Cheerleader- Jenni Raikkonen

For Raikkonen to become champion:
Raikkonen first; Alonso third or lower; Hamilton sixth or lower
or Raikkonen second; Alonso fourth or lower; Hamilton eighth or lower

You can read all the paddock politix here (F1 official site) and here (official host-broadcaster)

Certainly 2007 is one of the most thrilling and controversial F1 season
in years with ingredients of spy-gate scandal, internal feud,
backstabbing etc.

Remember the controversial 1997 season?
Back then Michael Schumacher was disqualified from the 1997 championship for deliberately causing a legendary collision with Jacques Villeneuve in the championship-deciding penultimate race in Jerez, Spain. (JV was declared world champion that year)
... and what is more bizarre: The top three drivers (Schumacher, Villeneuve,Heinz-Herald Frentzen) clocked identical qualifying times (1:21.072) !

Seriously you got to checkout the clip below:

Schumacher - Villeneuve duel (Jerez, Spain 1997)

and by the way, anybody going to the first nite race in Singapore next September?

Lee Kuan Yew GP, September 2008