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2007 Formula One World Championship
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The 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 61st season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It began on 18 March and ended on 21 October after seventeen events. The Drivers' Championship was won by Ferrari driver Kimi Räikkönen by one point at the final race of the season, making him the third Finnish driver to take the title. An appeal by McLaren regarding the legality of some cars in the final race could have altered the championship standings,[1] but on 16 November, the appeal was rejected by the International Court of Appeal, confirming the championship results.[2] Räikkönen entered the final race in third position in the drivers' standings, but emerged as champion after the chequered flag, a feat first accomplished by Giuseppe Farina in 1950.
A major talking point of the season had been an espionage controversy involving Ferrari and McLaren, which led to McLaren being excluded from the Constructors' Championship. As a result, Ferrari clinched the championship at the Belgian Grand Prix.[3] Defending double Constructors' Champions Renault proved to be uncompetitive with their R27 car taking them to third in the constructors' standings (after McLaren's exclusion) and ended up win-less for the first time since the 2002 season.[4] Renault achieved one podium during the season, with Heikki Kovalainen finishing second at the rain affected 2007 Japanese Grand Prix.
The 2007 season heralded the end of the existing Concorde Agreement between the existing Formula One constructors and Bernie Ecclestone. In particular, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Honda (collectively the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association) had a number of outstanding disagreements with the FIA and Ecclestone on financial and technical grounds. They had threatened to boycott Formula One from the 2008 season onwards and instead stage their own rival series, before signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the 2006 Spanish Grand Prix.[5]
2007 also marked the seventh and final season, since its reintroduction in 2001, in which the use of traction control was permitted in Formula One. Standardised electronic control units (ECUs) were mandated by the FIA from the 2008 season onwards, which prohibited teams from using this kind of technology.[6][7] The season also saw the debuts of future world champions Lewis Hamilton (the first black driver to participate in the category) and Sebastian Vettel (although, in Vettel's case, this was the first year in which no German driver won a race since 1991).
Honda ran with an "Earth livery" on their RA107 car. It was the first time since 1968, the year in which sponsorship in the sport became widespread,[8] that a team ran sponsor-free for an entire season. Michelin's withdrawal from F1 at the end of 2006 meant that Bridgestone was the sole tyre supplier once more for 2007, having previously been F1's sole tyre manufacturer for the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
As of 2026[update], this is the last Drivers' Championship won by a Ferrari driver and the last drivers' title won by a Finnish driver to date in Formula One.
Teams and drivers
[edit]The following teams and drivers participated in the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship. Drivers' cars are numbered as per the official FIA 2007 entry list.[9] All team details are as per the Formula 1 official website, except where noted. Note that there is no car number 13, as is the historical tradition. All teams competed with tyres supplied by Bridgestone.
- † All engines were 2.4-litre V8 configuration.
Free practice drivers
[edit]Three constructors entered free practice only drivers over the course of the season: Sebastian Vettel for BMW Sauber at the opening two rounds, Christian Klien for Honda at the British Grand Prix and Kazuki Nakajima for Williams at five Grands Prix.
| Constructor | Practice drivers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Driver name | Rounds | ||
| Honda | 34 |  Christian Klien
|
9 | |
| BMW Sauber | 35 |  Sebastian Vettel
|
1–2 | |
| Williams–Toyota | 38 |  Kazuki Nakajima
|
1–2, 6–7, 16 | |
Driver changes
[edit]
The 2005 and 2006 World Champion Fernando Alonso switched to McLaren after five years at Renault. Following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, Alonso was the only driver on the grid in this season who had previously won a drivers' championship.
Juan Pablo Montoya, who was a McLaren driver until the aftermath of the 2006 United States Grand Prix moved to the NASCAR Cup Series for 2007, effectively ending his Formula One career, as announced on 9 July 2006.
On 2 August 2006, Williams announced that test and reserve driver Alexander Wurz would step up to a race seat for 2007, replacing Australian Mark Webber. On 7 August 2006, Red Bull Racing announced their 2007 driver line-up of David Coulthard and Mark Webber, displacing Christian Klien. On 7 August 2006, BMW Sauber announced that Jacques Villeneuve's contract had been terminated immediately and for the rest of the season would be replaced by test driver Robert Kubica. Kubica was later announced on 19 October 2006 to retain the race seat for the 2007 season, with Sebastian Vettel remaining as the team's test driver. On 21 December 2006 BMW Sauber announced former Jordan F1 and GP2 driver Timo Glock as their second test driver.
On 6 September 2006, Renault confirmed Heikki Kovalainen as the team's replacement for Fernando Alonso. On 10 September 2006, Scuderia Ferrari announced Kimi Räikkönen to replace the retiring Michael Schumacher.
On 15 November 2006, Super Aguri confirmed Anthony Davidson as Sakon Yamamoto's replacement. On 24 November 2006, McLaren confirmed Lewis Hamilton, their junior program driver who won the GP2 Series title that year as their second driver.
On 21 December 2006, Spyker confirmed Adrian Sutil as their first driver, replacing WTCC-bound Tiago Monteiro.
On 10 July 2007, Spyker announced that Christijan Albers would no longer be driving for the team. The given reason was a failure to pay sponsorship monies due. Markus Winkelhock raced Spyker's second car at the European Grand Prix. On 25 July 2007 Spyker confirmed that the Japanese driver Sakon Yamamoto would compete in the remaining seven Grands Prix for them.[10] On 31 July 2007, Scuderia Toro Rosso replaced Scott Speed with BMW test driver Sebastian Vettel following an alleged physical altercation between Speed and STR Team Principal Franz Tost.[13]
On 8 October 2007, Williams driver Alexander Wurz announced his immediate retirement from Formula One racing.[14] Williams test driver Kazuki Nakajima replaced Wurz for the Brazilian Grand Prix.[15]
Team changes
[edit]Ferrari technical director, Ross Brawn, was to take a sabbatical year for 2007, after ten seasons at the Italian team since 1997. However, it was later announced that he would leave the team.[16] In 2008, Ross Brawn became Team Principal of the Honda team.
McLaren signed a title sponsorship deal with the telecommunications company Vodafone late in 2005. With the loss of Vodafone, Scuderia Ferrari began a sponsorship deal with Alice, a brand of Telecom Italia.
Mild Seven confirmed that they would not renew their contract with Renault following its conclusion at the end of 2006 due to current European tobacco laws.[17]
British American Tobacco's Lucky Strike and 555 brands ceased to sponsor the Honda team, following which the team ran a sponsorless livery in 2007.
Williams changed their engines from Cosworth to Toyota in a three-year deal until 2009. Contrary to speculation at the time, the engines were not rebadged as Lexus.[18]
Red Bull officially became an Austrian constructor by receiving an Austrian licence, though continued to operate from the same base in Britain.[19]
On 9 September 2006, MF1 Racing was officially sold to a Dutch-Arab consortium owned by Michiel Mol, along with the aid of Spyker Cars. The team was officially renamed Spyker MF1 Team, keeping the MF1 for the rest of the season due to Concorde Agreement rules.[20] On 30 September 2006, Spyker announced that their engine supplier would be Ferrari.[21]
On 16 October 2006, Renault confirmed that the Dutch banking company ING would become their main sponsor to replace Mild Seven, which has sponsored the Enstone-based team during the 13 years since 1994.[22] On 20 October 2006, Williams announced AT&T as their new main sponsor.[23] On 24 October 2006, Spyker announced they would change their name from Spyker MF1 Team to Spyker F1 from 2007 onwards, subject to all other teams giving their agreement.[24][25] On 31 October 2006, Red Bull confirmed their engine situation for 2007. Renault engines were used by Red Bull Racing, while Scuderia Toro Rosso used 2006-spec Ferrari engines. As a result of Red Bull Racing switching to Renault engines, this marked the first time Renault had supplied more than one team in the sport since the 1997 season (when it supplied Williams and Benetton) as a fully-fledged engine manufacturer (although from 1998 to 2000 Renault had supplied more than one team but under Mecachrome, Playlife and Supertec brandings respectively).[26] As a result of Spyker and Toro Rosso switching to Ferrari customer engines, this marked the first time Ferrari had supplied more than two teams in the sport since the 2001 season when it used Petronas branding for the engines it supplied to Sauber and Acer branding for the engines it supplied to Prost.
On 15 March 2007, Spyker announced their new title sponsor for the 2007 season: United Arab Emirates airline company Etihad Airways.[27]
Other changes
[edit]On 30 September 2006, Cosworth announced that they would temporarily withdraw from Formula One as an engine supplier, citing lack of room for supplying engines for private teams after Williams switched to Toyota engines and Spyker opted for Ferrari engines from 2007 season onwards and thus for the first time since 1962 a Formula One season did not feature Cosworth-powered cars.[28] However the company would return to the sport from 2010 season onwards.[29]
Calendar
[edit]
On 29 August 2006, the FIA published a provisional calendar for the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship. The San Marino and European Grands Prix were excluded, although the European round would later make a comeback (see below).[32] The final calendar (above), which confirmed that the San Marino Grand Prix would not return, was released on 18 October 2006.[33]
For the first time in nearly half a century, no German Grand Prix was held as a result of the circuits previously hosting a Grand Prix in Germany beginning to alternate in organizing the German Grand Prix. However, the promoter for the Hockenheim race controlled the rights to the descriptor "German Grand Prix" and an agreement could not be reached between them and the Nürburgring circuits for the naming rights. The Nürburgring event therefore retained its usual European Grand Prix title.[34]
After twenty years of being hosted at the Honda-owned Suzuka Circuit since 1987, the Japanese Grand Prix moved to Toyota's rebuilt Fuji Speedway, a circuit that F1 had not raced at since 1977.
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps returned after a one-year absence in 2006 due to track maintenance.
For the first time since 1975, no country hosted more than one Grand Prix.
Changes
[edit]Regulation changes
[edit]- Although the FIA had planned to mandate a single regulation tyre manufacturer from 2008, Bridgestone was the sole supplier in 2007, after Michelin ended their participation in Formula One at the end of the 2006 season. Revised Sporting Regulations meant a total of 14 sets of dry weather tyres per driver would be available over each race weekend: four sets for Friday only, and 10 for the rest of the weekend. During the race both compounds of tyre (hard and soft) had to be used at least once. At the first round in Australia soft tyres were marked with a white spot. However, this was difficult to see when the car was in motion and from the second round in Malaysia onwards one of the four grooves in the soft compound tyre was painted white.[35]
Bottom: softer tyre (the 'option' tyre), at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
- The teams finishing 5th–11th in the previous season's Constructors' Championship were no longer allowed to run a third car on Friday following a rule change.[36] The teams that finish 1st–4th were already banned from doing so.
- Engine development was frozen from the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix, with these engines being used for the whole of 2007 and 2008. This was described as engine "homologation" by the FIA. It was previously set to be introduced in 2008.[37]
- All cars were fitted with red, blue and yellow cockpit lights. The purpose was to give drivers information concerning track signals or conditions. The lights had to be LEDs each with a minimum diameter of 5 mm and which were fitted so as to be directly in the driver's normal line of sight.[38]
- In order to give rescue crews an immediate indication of accident severity, each car had to be fitted with a warning light which was connected to the FIA data logger. The light had to face upwards and be recessed into the top of the survival cell no more than 150 mm from the car centre line and the front of the cockpit opening and as near to the marshal neutral switch as is practical.[38]
- The two Friday practice sessions were expanded from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. All teams were allowed to use two cars, which could be driven by either the two race drivers or a nominated third driver.[39]
- The engine penalty was only applied in the second day of the Grand Prix weekend. Any engine change in the first day was not penalised.[39]
- No car was allowed to enter the pits to refuel during a safety car period until all cars were in the group following the safety car and they were advised that the pit lane was open. This prevented drivers from racing to the pits immediately after a safety car was deployed. In addition, any lapped cars in front of a car on the lead lap were required to pass the safety car and restart at the end of the line-up instead of maintaining their physical position.[39]
- The Formula One teams unanimously agreed to the voluntary early introduction of the testing agreement scheduled for 2008. This limited each team to an annual limit of 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi).
- The team's second car had to run with a yellow coloured roll bar instead of a black one. The first cars continued running with a red/orange roll bar. This was intended to help spectators distinguish between first and second cars at further distances.
- As Scuderia Toro Rosso switched to Ferrari 056 engines, all Formula One entrants began using the mandated 2.4-litre V8 naturally-aspirated engines for the first time after one year the V10 engine was an option in 2006.
- Due to a decision taken in 2006, tobacco advertising promoting smoking products was banned from car liveries.[40]
Television coverage
[edit]- Formula One Management became the sole host broadcaster for all but three of the 17 Grands Prix in 2007. All coverage was produced in anamorphic 16:9 widescreen for the first time.[41][42]
- ITV Sport, Premiere, ORF1, RTL7, TF1, TV3 and Polsat[43] were among the first broadcasters to provide a standard 16:9 widescreen programme at the opening race in Australia.
- For the United States TV coverage, except Speed Channel, FOX also broadcast four Formula One races. Those were the Canadian Grand Prix, United States Grand Prix, French Grand Prix and British Grand Prix. The Canadian Grand Prix and United States Grand Prix were televised live.
- In Poland, F1 broadcast was moved into Polsat from TV4.
- In Portugal, SportTV became the broadcaster, replacing RTP1.[44]
Circuits
[edit]- A new chicane was inserted into the straight between Europcar and New Holland (final corner) at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona. It was installed in order to slow the cars down before the long main straight, and with the intent that it would provide more overtaking opportunities into turn 1.[45]
- Spa underwent track changes as well, with a new paddock area, a reprofiled Bus Stop Chicane, an extension of the start-finish straight and a change to La Source hairpin.[46]
- The largest-scale repair in the last 35 years was done to Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil, to fundamentally solve the problem of the asphalt.[47][48] All present asphalt was removed and replaced with new asphalt.[49] At the same time, the pit lane entrance was enhanced to improve safety.[50] The circuit was closed and no event was held for five months to allow work, from June to October, until immediately before the event.[51]
Pre-season
[edit]Pre-season testing began in November 2006 at the Bahrain International Circuit, and February 2007 at the Circuit de Catalunya, with ten of the eleven teams participating in the test sessions. The most notable absentees were Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen, who were still under contract at Renault and McLaren respectively. Jenson Button was also absent as he had suffered a hairline fracture on his ribs after a go-karting accident in preparations for the November tests. Lewis Hamilton made his first appearance in a McLaren since being confirmed as Alonso's teammate for 2007.
Felipe Massa topped the times on the first two days of testing. Massa's testing partner, Luca Badoer, took the fastest time on the third day, although interest was on the fact that double World Champion Mika Häkkinen joined Hamilton and de la Rosa at McLaren for a one-off test, although the Finnish driver was over three seconds slower than Badoer's time, completing 79 laps of the Spanish circuit.
The other big story of 2007 was the return to a single tyre supplier (Bridgestone). It was perceived that this accounted for some of the reason why Ferrari led the early tests, although it was claimed by Bridgestone that the 2007 tyre is of a completely new build, thus minimising any real benefit for the 2006 Bridgestone teams (Ferrari, Toyota, Williams, Midland/Spyker and Super Aguri).
Toyota was the only team out for the fourth day of testing at Barcelona, as the Japanese works team chose to miss the first day of testing. Both Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli's fastest laps were quicker than Massa and Badoer's times during the previous three sessions. Testing resumed on 6 December at Jerez, with the majority of teams attending the session. Both Ferraris of Massa and Badoer were first and second fastest, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton making up the top three in third. Hamilton improved on his position the following day by taking the fastest time, a second faster than Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella.
Japanese works teams Honda and Toyota topped the times for the next two days of testing: Honda's Rubens Barrichello and Toyota's Franck Montagny were fastest, although Toyota had the Jerez track to themselves when Montagny took the fastest time. Heikki Kovalainen and Pedro de la Rosa took the fastest times on the fourth and fifth day of testing at Jerez. Also of note, on the last day of testing Fernando Alonso made his McLaren testing debut after an agreement with manager Flavio Briatore. This did not call for an end to his agreement (which ended on 31 December).
Season report
[edit]
The season started at Albert Park in Australia on 18 March. Kimi Räikkönen led the whole race, and became the fourth driver to win on their debut for Ferrari. Fernando Alonso came second and debutant Lewis Hamilton finished 3rd. Felipe Massa took his first pole of the season in Malaysia but Alonso won his first race with McLaren while Hamilton finished second. Massa led the entire race to win in both Bahrain and Spain, and in both races Hamilton finished second, becoming the first rookie to finish on the podium in more than his first two outings. McLaren dominated Monaco with Alonso winning from Hamilton after the pair had lapped everybody apart from themselves and Felipe Massa, who was not too far from being lapped.[52]
The Canadian GP included four safety car periods and one of the biggest crashes of Formula One in that era.[53] The race started off with the second all-McLaren front row with Hamilton taking his first pole position followed by Alonso. Alonso made a mistake in turn 1, losing several places while Hamilton was opening a gap between himself and Nick Heidfeld. On lap 22 the first safety car period began after Adrian Sutil hit the concrete wall. The safety car went into the pits on lap 28 but before the lap could be completed Robert Kubica had a massive accident. He had lost his front wing after hitting Jarno Trulli. He then went wide and hit a bump on the grass that launched him into the air and into a violent impact with the retaining barrier at a peak deceleration of 75G. The safety car was once again deployed and went in on lap 35. Hamilton once again opened up a gap to second-placed Heidfeld until lap 50 when Christijan Albers left a lot of debris on the track after a crash forcing the deployment of the safety car. The race restarted on lap 55 and the safety car was deployed again on lap 56 after Vitantonio Liuzzi hit the so-called 'Wall of Champions'. The safety car period was extended after Jarno Trulli hit the tyre barrier at the exit of the pitlane after trying to catch up with the field. On the restart Hamilton led to the finish to claim his maiden win in his sixth race. The next race at Indianapolis saw Hamilton lead from the start until victory after a 300 km/h side by side battle with Alonso for the lead. Ferrari took their first 1–2 finish of the season in France with Kimi Räikkönen winning from polesitter, Felipe Massa.
In Britain Hamilton took his third pole position, going on to finish a distant third behind winner Kimi Räikkönen and Fernando Alonso. Europe (Germany) would see Hamilton's run of nine consecutive podiums come to an end. After a large crash in qualifying he started in 10th in the race. On lap 4 he aquaplaned off the circuit in a torrential rainstorm but the race was stopped. He restarted after his car was pulled out of the gravel but after taking a gamble to change early to dry tyres on a drying track, he spun off several times but recovered to finish 9th, just missing out on the final point.
After a qualifying incident between Alonso and Hamilton in which Alonso prevented Hamilton from completing his final flying lap, Alonso was demoted to 6th on the grid at the Hungarian Grand Prix while McLaren was made ineligible for points for the constructors' championship for that race.[54] Hamilton then took victory with Räikkönen coming second. In Turkey Felipe Massa took a dominant victory followed by Räikkönen and Alonso. Hamilton finished fifth after he suffered a tyre failure while running in 3rd. In Italy Alonso won from Hamilton followed by Räikkönen. Following that Grand Prix McLaren was excluded from the constructors' championship after having been found guilty of theft and illegal usage of confidentional technical information of Ferrari. The team did not receive any constructors' points from subsequent races.[55] In Belgium Räikkönen won from Massa and Alonso, thus allowing Ferrari to clinch the world constructors' championship from BMW Sauber following McLaren's exclusion.
The Japanese Grand Prix moved to Fuji Speedway. The event was marked by treacherous weather and was started behind the safety car. Lewis Hamilton survived a brush with Robert Kubica to win from Heikki Kovalainen and Kimi Räikkönen. At the last three corners Kubica and Felipe Massa ran side by side in a battle for 6th, while Fernando Alonso aquaplaned and crashed on lap 41 of 67. In China, Hamilton won his 6th pole of the season and led up to lap 28 when he was overtaken by Räikkönen and he then spun off entering the pitlane. The season finale marked the first time since 1986 that three drivers had a chance of becoming World Champion at the season finale, and the first time since the inaugural season in 1950 that the man who stood in third before the final race went on to win the championship (the driver in 1950 being Giuseppe Farina). Hamilton was the favourite with 107 points followed by Alonso with 103 points and Räikkönen with 100 points. Hamilton started 2nd but dropped to the back of the pack after a gearbox problem. He recovered to 7th but Räikkönen won the race and the championship. The final standings were Räikkönen with 110 points followed by Hamilton and Alonso each with 109 points. Räikkönen's late charge, following worse luck at the start of the season, would narrowly give him the World Drivers' Championship. With Hamilton and Alonso level on points their positions were determined by countback. Each driver had won four races, but Hamilton had five second-place finishes to Alonso's four, so he was awarded second place in the Championship, with Alonso third.
Results and standings
[edit]Grands Prix
[edit]Scoring system
[edit]Points were awarded to the top eight classified finishers using the following structure:[58]
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
World Drivers' Championship standings
[edit]
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Notes:
- † – Drivers did not finish the Grand Prix, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance.
World Constructors' Championship standings
[edit]-
Scuderia Ferrari won the Constructors' Championship with the Ferrari F2007 -
BMW Sauber F1 Team placed second in the Constructors' Championship with the BMW Sauber F1.07 -
Renault, the defending Constructors' Champion, placed third in the Constructors' Championship with the Renault R27 -
Although its drivers scored the most points combined, McLaren were excluded from the Constructors' Championship
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Notes:
- † – Drivers did not finish the Grand Prix, but were classified as they completed more than 90% of the race distance.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Fernando Alonso qualified in pole position but was demoted 5 places due to blocking Lewis Hamilton in the pit lane. Lewis Hamilton was recognised as the pole-sitter for the race.[56]
- ^ McLaren were not awarded Constructors' Championship points nor a trophy on the podium.[56]
- ^ a b McLaren were not allowed to have a team representative on the podium other than a driver.
- ^ a b After an incident at the end of Qualifying Session 3 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, an FIA decision was made that, due to team infringements during qualifying, McLaren would not be awarded any points. The drivers, however, would retain the points won for the Drivers' Championship. This punishment was appealed by the team, but they decided to retract it following a greater punishment later in the year.[59][54]
- ^ The World Motorsport Council disqualified McLaren from the 2007 Constructors' Championship as punishment for the 2007 Formula One espionage controversy.[55] McLaren was stripped of its Constructors' Championship points,[60] and Formula One's website states that the team scored zero points in 2007.[61] At the time McLaren was disqualified (prior to the 2007 Belgian Grand Prix, with four rounds left in the season), McLaren led the Constructors' Championship with 166 points to Ferrari's 143.[62] The two McLaren drivers were not disqualified from the Drivers' Championship, and they collectively scored 218 points. However, earlier in the season, McLaren had received a 15-point deduction due to a separate controversy at the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix.[54] As such, in the purely hypothetical circumstance that McLaren (1) was not disqualified from the Constructors' Championship, (2) recorded the exact same results that it did in real life, (3) lost its appeal of the Hungary deduction, and (4) did not receive a second points penalty in lieu of the season disqualification, McLaren would have scored 203 points, one point behind Ferrari.
References
[edit]- ^ "McLaren to appeal Stewards' decision". grandprix.com. 22 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2007.
- ^ "Court of Appeal rejects McLaren's claim". pitpass.com. 16 November 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
- ^ 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship Classifications, www.fia.com, as archived at web.archive.org
- ^ "Standings".
- ^ "Ecclestone signature ends breakaway threat". GPUpdate.net. 20 May 2006. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Inside F1: Traction Control". Formula1.com. 2007. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "FORMULA 1 ECU - McLaren Applied".
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- ^ "FIA unveils 2007 entry list". Crash.net. 4 December 2006. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2006.
- ^ a b Goren, Biranit (25 July 2007). "Yamamoto to race for Spyker". Autosport Official Website. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2007.
- ^ "Vettel in for Kubica". grandprix.com. 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2007.
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- ^ Vettel replaces Speed at Toro Rosso autosport.com. Retrieved 3 August 2007. Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Wurz confirms immediate retirement from F1". autosport.com. 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
- ^ Noble, Jonathon (9 October 2007). "Nakajima set to replace Wurz in Brazil". Autosport Official Website. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2007.
- ^ "Official: Brawn to leave Ferrari". itv-f1.com. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 6 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2006.
- ^ "Mild Seven to leave Renault after 12-year sponsorship". Manipe F1. 1 February 2006. Archived from the original on 9 March 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2006.
- ^ "Williams' engines not to be rebadged". Manipe F1. 27 July 2006. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2006.
- ^ "Aston Martin Red Bull Racing claim their 60th Formula One win". 30 June 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Midland team bought by Spyker". formula1.com. 9 September 2006. Retrieved 9 September 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Spyker get Ferrari power for 2007". Manipe F1. 30 September 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Renault confirms ING". GrandPrix.com. 16 October 2006. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 16 October 2006.
- ^ "Williams sign AT&T as 2007 title sponsor". 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2006.
- ^ "Spyker to drop MF1 for 2007". Manipe F1. 24 October 2006. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2006.
- ^ "Spyker wants a name change". grandprix.com. 25 October 2006. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2006.
- ^ "Renault engines for RBR – Ferrari engines for STR". GPUpdate.net. 31 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Etihad Airways becomes Spyker F1 title sponsor". GPUpdate.net. 15 March 2007. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (30 September 2006). "Cosworth out of options for F1 in 2007". Autosport.com. Autosport. Retrieved 30 September 2006.
- ^ Llewellyn, Craig (12 June 2009). "Cosworth returns to F1". Crash.net. Retrieved 12 June 2009.
- ^ "Formula One Calendar 2007". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ "2007". ChicaneF1. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ San Marino, Europe dropped for '07 Formula1.com. Retrieved 29 August 2006. Archived 1 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "2007 FIA Formula One World Championship Calendar". FIA. 18 October 2006. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011.
- ^ "No Germany Grand Prix in 2007". f1-live.com. 14 April 2007. Archived from the original on 21 April 2007.
- ^ "F1 introduces clearer tyre marks". BBC. 2 April 2007. Archived from the original on 15 September 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2007.
- ^ "Qualifying revised from this weekend". formula1.com. 13 July 2006. Archived from the original on 15 July 2006. Retrieved 10 August 2006.
- ^ "F1: Teams, FIA Agree on Races, Engine Freeze for '07". speedtv.com. 18 September 2006. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2006.
- ^ a b FIA 2006 Technical Regulations FIA.Com Article 22. Retrieved 26 September 2006. Archived 1 September 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Longer Friday practice among 2007 changes. Retrieved 19 October 2006. Archived 8 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/mar/15/f1-has-no-plans-to-ban-tobacco-company-sponsorship-despite-health-calls-australian-gp-lewis-hamilton-sebastian-vettel
- ^ "F1 set for HD TV coverage". f1fanatic.co.uk. 10 March 2007. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2007.
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- ^ "SportTV bateu RTP". PÚBLICO (in Portuguese). 17 March 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ "Changes to Catalunya for 2007 revealed". F1Fanatic.co.uk. 2007. Archived from the original on 26 April 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2007.
- ^ "Spa revamp work in progress". itv-f1.com. 21 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 December 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2007.
- ^ "Interlagos será fechado para reforma" (in Portuguese). folhadaregiao.com.br/. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007. [dead link]
- ^ "As obras em Interlagos" (in Portuguese). autodromointerlagos.com/. 4 September 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2007.
- ^ "FIA tem uma justificada preocupação com o GP Brasil de Fórmula 1" (in Portuguese). gpbrasil.com.br/. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "Alargamento da entrada dos boxes, para maior segurança dos pilotos" (in Portuguese). autodromointerlagos.com/. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "Reforma deve acabar com problemas no asfalto de Interlagos" (in Portuguese). clicabrasilia.com.br/. 13 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 5 August 2007.
- ^ "2007 Monaco Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ "2007 Canadian Grand Prix". Stats F1. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ a b c Henry, Alan (18 September 2007). "McLaren drop their appeal against lost Hungary points". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ a b McLaren hit with constructors' ban, BBC News article. Retrieved 13 September 2007. [1]
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- ^ Associated Press (13 September 2007). "McLaren fined $100M in F1 spy scandal". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
External links
[edit]
2007 Formula One World Championship
View on GrokipediaParticipants and Preparations
Teams and Drivers
The 2007 Formula One World Championship entry list comprised eleven teams, as ratified by the FIA on December 1, 2006.[7] These included established manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedes, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Honda, and Williams, alongside midfield and backmarker outfits such as Toro Rosso, Super Aguri, and Spyker MF1. Each team fielded two cars powered by 2.4-litre V8 engines limited to 19,000 rpm under the new regulations, with chassis constructed primarily from carbon-fibre composites. Team principals oversaw operations, with notable leadership including Jean Todt at Ferrari and Ron Dennis at McLaren-Mercedes.[8]| Team | Chassis | Engine | Main Drivers | Team Principal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari | F2007 | Ferrari 056 V8 | Felipe Massa (BRA), Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) | Jean Todt |
| McLaren-Mercedes | MP4-22 | Mercedes FO108V V8 | Fernando Alonso (ESP), Lewis Hamilton (GBR) | Ron Dennis |
| BMW Sauber | F1.07 | BMW P86/7 V8 | Nick Heidfeld (GER), Robert Kubica (POL) | Mario Theissen |
| Renault | R27 | Renault RS27 V8 | Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA), Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) | Flavio Briatore |
| Williams-Toyota | FW29 | Toyota RVX-07 V8 | Nico Rosberg (GER), Alexander Wurz (AUT) | Frank Williams |
| Toyota | TF107 | Toyota RVX-07 V8 | Jarno Trulli (ITA), Ralf Schumacher (GER) | John Howett |
| Honda | RA107 | Honda RA807E V8 | Jenson Button (GBR), Rubens Barrichello (BRA) | Nick Fry |
| Toro Rosso-Ferrari | STR02 | Ferrari 056 V8 | Sebastian Vettel (GER), Scott Speed (USA) | Franz Tost |
| Super Aguri-Honda | SA07 | Honda RA807E V8 | Takuma Sato (JPN), Anthony Davidson (GBR) | Aguri Suzuki |
| Spyker MF1-Ferrari | MF1-07? | Ferrari 056 V8 | Adrian Sutil (GER), Christijan Albers (NED) | Michiel Mol |
Regulatory and Technical Changes
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) implemented key regulatory adjustments for the 2007 Formula One season to address escalating costs, promote reliability, and standardize competition among teams. A primary change involved engine allocation: drivers were limited to one engine per race weekend, excluding Friday practice sessions, with each additional engine used before the race resulting in a ten-place grid penalty. This shifted from the prior mandate requiring a single engine to endure two consecutive Grand Prix weekends, aiming to reduce development expenditures while penalizing unreliability without fully prohibiting spares.[12][13] Technical specifications for power units were further constrained through homologation of the 2.4-litre V8 engines debuted in 2006. Configurations from the 2006 Japanese Grand Prix were frozen as the baseline for 2007, prohibiting further development except for retuning to comply with a mandatory 19,000 rpm rev limiter, which was enforced to curb power gains and associated R&D costs. This measure sought to diminish disparities between manufacturer-backed teams and independents by locking in performance parameters, setting a precedent for future cost-control strategies ahead of hybrid introductions.[14][15][16] Tire regulations adapted to the supplier landscape after Michelin announced its withdrawal on December 14, 2005, leaving Bridgestone as the exclusive provider for the season. Bridgestone supplied four dry-weather compounds—hard, medium, soft, and super soft—to all entrants, with teams obligated to utilize at least two different compounds per race to foster strategic depth in the absence of a tire war. Compounds were distinguished by sidewall markings, such as white dots on softer variants, ensuring equitable distribution and compliance monitoring.[17][18][12]Pre-Season Developments
Pre-season testing for the 2007 season commenced with a private session by McLaren at Valencia's Circuito Ricardo Tormo on 17 January, where Fernando Alonso set the fastest time of 1:12.387 over 67 laps, ahead of test driver Pedro de la Rosa.[19] This was followed by group testing at Jerez from 6-8 February, during which McLaren's MP4-22 demonstrated consistent speed, with Alonso and Lewis Hamilton topping sessions amid evaluations of aerodynamics and tyre performance on Bridgestone compounds.[20] The final major test at Bahrain International Circuit from 22-24 February saw McLaren again prominent, as Alonso recorded the quickest laps on multiple days, completing substantial mileage to validate simulator correlations and wind tunnel data suggesting superior straight-line pace and downforce efficiency.[21] Team preparations highlighted logistical challenges, including Honda's engine supply to Super Aguri, which faced financial strains leading to the latter's absence from several winter sessions and raising doubts over their operational readiness despite access to modified 2006-spec Honda power units.[22] Renault, seeking to rebound from the departure of their champion driver and a dip in competitiveness at the end of 2006, allocated resources to front-wing and sidepod aerodynamic refinements during Jerez testing, aiming to restore balance after prior understeer issues, though early laps indicated ongoing adaptation struggles with the new V8 configuration.[23] Analyst expectations leaned toward McLaren's potential dominance, driven by empirical test times and internal data projections indicating a 0.5-1 second edge in qualifying simulations, though concerns persisted over their historical reliability lapses potentially undermining constructors' points accumulation.[24] In contrast, Ferrari emphasized endurance and mechanical robustness in Bahrain, prioritizing long-run stability over outright pace to mitigate risks from unproven updates, with Kimi Räikkönen's mileage focused on engine mapping for consistent power delivery across varying track conditions.[25] These baselines set cautious optimism for a tight intra-manufacturer battle, informed by tyre degradation models and fuel-load extrapolated performances rather than raw lap records.Season Calendar and Logistics
Race Schedule and Circuits
The 2007 Formula One World Championship featured 17 Grands Prix across 16 countries, spanning from 18 March to 21 October, with races held on a mix of permanent circuits and street tracks.[26] The calendar included the return of the Japanese Grand Prix to the redesigned Fuji Speedway, which had undergone significant modifications by architect Hermann Tilke in 2003 to update its layout for modern F1 requirements, marking its first hosting since 1977.[27] The Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park Circuit represented the venue's second appearance on the calendar, following its debut in 2005. Other circuits saw minor adjustments for safety or flow, though no major redesigns beyond Fuji were implemented that year.| Round | Grand Prix | Date | Circuit | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian | 18 March | Albert Park Circuit | Melbourne, Australia | Street circuit in parkland, known for high-speed sections. |
| 2 | Malaysian | 8 April | Sepang International Circuit | Sepang, Malaysia | Tilke-designed track with long straights and technical corners. |
| 3 | Bahraini | 15 April | Bahrain International Circuit | Sakhir, Bahrain | Desert venue with night racing preparation, minor chicane adjustments for overtaking. |
| 4 | Spanish | 13 May | Circuit de Catalunya | Montmeló, Barcelona, Spain | Standard European test track with elevation changes. |
| 5 | Monaco | 27 May | Circuit de Monaco | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Traditional street circuit, prone to variable weather including rain. |
| 6 | Canadian | 10 June | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | Montreal, Canada | Island layout on artificial island, featuring the "Wall of Champions". |
| 7 | United States | 17 June | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Speedway, Indiana, USA | Road course using oval infield, limited tire supplier participation affected logistics. |
| 8 | French | 1 July | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours | Magny-Cours, France | Inland track with long straights, last hosting before 2008 removal. |
| 9 | British | 8 July | Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone, Northamptonshire, UK | Historic high-speed circuit, susceptible to wet conditions. |
| 10 | European | 22 July | Nürburgring | Nürburg, Germany | GP-Strecke layout used, known for variable weather in the Eifel region. |
| 11 | Hungarian | 5 August | Hungaroring | Mogyoród, Hungary | Tight, twisty circuit often called "Monaco without walls". |
| 12 | Turkish | 26 August | Istanbul Park Circuit | Istanbul, Turkey | Second F1 event; features challenging Turns 8 and banking. |
| 13 | Italian | 9 September | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | Monza, Italy | Temple of Speed with historic high-speed trapezoidal chicanes. |
| 14 | Belgian | 16 September | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Stavelot, Belgium | Ardennes forest track with significant elevation and length. |
| 15 | Chinese | 7 October | Shanghai International Circuit | Shanghai, China | Tilke-designed with long back straight, hosted since 2004 debut. |
| 16 | Japanese | 14 October | Fuji Speedway | Oyama, Japan | Redesigned layout post-2003; replaced Suzuka for 2007, emphasizing long start-finish straight.[27] |
| 17 | Brazilian | 21 October | Autódromo José Carlos Pace | São Paulo, Brazil | Interlagos circuit with undulating terrain and passionate crowds. |
Television and Media Coverage
In the United Kingdom, ITV provided comprehensive coverage of the 2007 Formula One World Championship, marking the 11th consecutive season under their broadcasting rights agreement that began in 1997.[29] The network aired live races, qualifying sessions, and practice with on-site commentary from the paddock, but its commercial structure necessitated advertising interruptions during broadcasts, leading to an estimated 4 hours and 6 minutes of live race action not shown across the 17 events.[30] This practice fueled public and industry discussions on the trade-offs between ad-supported free-to-air access and uninterrupted viewing, contrasting with the ad-free model previously offered by the BBC before their 1996 departure from F1 rights.[31] ITV's audience for select races, such as the Hungarian Grand Prix on 5 August 2007, averaged 3.37 million viewers, with a notable uptick attributed to Lewis Hamilton's debut and performances, including a 1.7 million viewer increase for the British Grand Prix compared to 2006.[32][33] Internationally, Formula One Management (FOM) assumed the role of primary host broadcaster for 14 of the 17 Grands Prix in 2007, standardizing production and distribution of world feed signals to local rights holders for enhanced consistency in global transmission.[34] In the United States, Speed Channel delivered live coverage of races, practices, and qualifying for the 11th straight season, though pre-Hamilton era interest remained subdued, exemplified by the Canadian Grand Prix drawing 1.494 million viewers on 10 June 2007—one of the higher figures but still indicative of niche appeal amid competition from domestic motorsports.[35][36] Other markets featured diverse outlets, such as RAI in Italy and TF1 in France, contributing to F1's established position as a high-profile global event with syndication reaching over 500 million potential viewers through territorial deals.[37] Emerging digital platforms supplemented traditional broadcasts, with the official Formula One website offering real-time updates, race archives, and multimedia content to build fan engagement amid growing internet access, though live streaming remained limited to select pay-per-view or regional services rather than widespread free access.[38] Media attendance at events included a dedicated international press corps, though specific 2007 figures are not comprehensively documented; coverage emphasized on-site reporting from journalists embedded with teams, amplifying narratives around driver rivalries and technical developments through print and early online outlets.Major Events and Race Summaries
Opening Races and Early Season Dynamics
The 2007 season opened at the Australian Grand Prix on March 18 in Melbourne, where Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen secured victory from pole position after 58 laps in 1:25:28.770, capitalizing on a strong start and consistent pace ahead of McLaren's Fernando Alonso in second and rookie Lewis Hamilton in third.[39] Hamilton's debut podium marked an immediate competitive showing for the McLaren MP4-22, which demonstrated superior tire management on the Albert Park circuit, though Räikkönen's Ferrari F2007 exploited its straight-line speed advantage in sector 1.[39] Midfield teams like BMW Sauber showed promise with Nick Heidfeld's fourth place, but reliability plagued backmarkers such as Spyker and Toro Rosso, both suffering early retirements due to mechanical failures.[39] In Malaysia on April 8 at Sepang, McLaren asserted dominance with Alonso winning from second on the grid after 56 laps, leading teammate Hamilton to a 1-2 finish 19.496 seconds ahead of Räikkönen's third-placed Ferrari.[40] The McLaren duo's one-stop strategy proved optimal on the abrasive track surface, where Ferrari struggled with higher degradation on Bridgestone tires, allowing Hamilton to extend his podium streak despite starting from fourth.[40] This result propelled McLaren into an early constructors' lead, highlighting their aerodynamic efficiency in high-downforce corners, while Honda encountered severe reliability woes, with both cars retiring from engine issues.[40] The Bahrain Grand Prix on April 15 saw Ferrari rebound as Felipe Massa claimed his first win of the season after 57 laps in 1:27:51.291, overtaking Hamilton on lap 14 via an undercut pit strategy and holding a 3.186-second margin.[41] Hamilton's second place extended his podium run to three consecutive races—the first rookie to achieve this feat—while Räikkönen recovered to third despite a poor start.[41][42] McLaren's consistency kept them ahead in constructors' points, but Ferrari's traction control calibration gave Massa an edge out of the slow corners at Sakhir. Super Aguri and Spyker continued to falter, with multiple retirements underscoring their developmental gaps against the top teams.[41] By the Spanish Grand Prix on May 13 at Barcelona, Massa doubled Ferrari's wins, leading Hamilton and Alonso to the chequered flag after 65 laps in 1:31:36.230, benefiting from a two-stop strategy that minimized time loss in traffic.[43] Monaco on May 27 reinforced McLaren's resurgence, as Alonso triumphed from pole over Hamilton by 4.095 seconds in a processional 78-lap race, lapping all but Massa in third amid safety car interruptions.[44] These results established McLaren and Ferrari as the clear hierarchy leaders, with Hamilton surging to the drivers' standings top on 38 points after five rounds, driven by the MP4-22's balanced setup, while midfield reliability—evident in Honda's frequent DNFs and Spyker's zero points—highlighted the performance chasm.[44][43]Mid-Season Turning Points
The Canadian Grand Prix on 10 June featured Lewis Hamilton's maiden Formula One victory, secured through prudent navigation of a chaotic race punctuated by four safety car periods, including after Robert Kubica's heavy crash on lap 71. Hamilton's pole-to-flag performance, aided by effective tire strategy under the season's new mandate to utilize both softer and harder Bridgestone compounds, propelled him to a 27-point championship lead over teammate Fernando Alonso.[45][46] Controversies arose over FIA safety car protocols and penalty enforcement amid the attrition, yet Hamilton's error-free run highlighted McLaren's early dominance while exposing rivals' vulnerabilities in variable conditions. BMW Sauber's upward trajectory gained momentum with Nick Heidfeld's second-place finish in Canada, his first podium of the year, underscoring the German squad's refined F1.07 chassis and engine integration that yielded consistent points in midfield battles. Heidfeld's result contributed to BMW climbing to fourth in constructors' standings by mid-July, capitalizing on reliability amid competitors' occasional failures.[47] In contrast, Williams grappled with inconsistent car balance and tire warm-up issues, limiting Nico Rosberg's potential despite flashes of pace; the team scored sparingly, mired in development setbacks that hampered overtaking and stint longevity.[48] The European Grand Prix at Nürburgring on 22 July exemplified high-attrition racing under the tire rules, where mandatory compound changes amplified degradation risks in a deluge that caused aquaplaning and crashes affecting over a quarter of the field. Hamilton's qualifying error—stranding in gravel and requiring hospitalization—forced a recovery from the back to fifth, while Kimi Räikkönen's victory narrowed his deficit to the leader.[49][50] Tensions at McLaren boiled over during Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on 4 August, when Alonso stationary in the pits for 10 seconds to impede Hamilton, violating sporting regulations and earning a three-place grid demotion to sixth. Hamilton inherited pole and finished second behind Räikkönen's win, but the blockade—engineered amid Alonso's frustration over pitlane access—eroded team cohesion, diverting focus from title defense.[51][52] Räikkönen's consecutive triumphs in Europe and Hungary compressed the drivers' standings, with Hamilton's lead shrinking to 14 points over the Finn, while Alonso trailed by two, injecting uncertainty into Ferrari's late surge without resolving the championship.[1]Season Climax and Final Races
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 9 featured a McLaren one-two finish with Fernando Alonso victorious ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, while Kimi Räikkönen secured third for Ferrari.[53] Entering the weekend, Hamilton held a 10-point lead over Alonso at 84 points, with Räikkönen trailing by 22 at 62.[54] Alonso's win narrowed Hamilton's advantage to three points, maintaining intense intra-team rivalry at McLaren, though Räikkönen's podium kept Ferrari mathematically in contention for a late-season surge.[53] At the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps on September 16, Räikkönen dominated in wet conditions to win by 4.7 seconds over Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, with Alonso third and Hamilton fourth after sliding wide on a damp track.[55] This result equalized Räikkönen with Hamilton at 91 points post-race, while Alonso sat one point behind at 90, transforming the title fight into a three-way battle with four races remaining and a maximum of 40 points available.[55] Räikkönen's strategic tire management in variable weather highlighted Ferrari's adaptability, contrasting McLaren's minor execution errors that prevented a stronger haul.[56] The Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway on September 30 unfolded in heavy rain under safety car starts, where Hamilton navigated chaos to victory, followed by Renault's Heikki Kovalainen in second—his career-best result—and Räikkönen third.[57] Alonso struggled, finishing 10th after spins, leaving him 12 points behind Hamilton at 95 versus 107, while Räikkönen's 90 points positioned him 17 adrift but with momentum from prior consistency.[57] The race's low-scoring nature due to red flags and crashes underscored tire choice risks in extreme wet conditions, favoring Hamilton's aggressive positioning over rivals' conservatism.[57] In the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai on October 7, Räikkönen capitalized on deteriorating weather to win, with Alonso second and Massa third, as Hamilton—leading until lap 56—pitted late for wet tires and spun into gravel, rejoining 14th for no points.[58] This elevated Alonso to 103 points, Räikkönen to 100, and stalled Hamilton at 107, reducing his lead to four over Alonso and seven over Räikkönen heading into the finale.[58] Räikkönen's pace in the drying conditions, gaining over two seconds per lap on Hamilton mid-race, demonstrated superior car setup, while McLaren's delayed pit call exemplified a critical strategic misstep in a season of mounting errors for the team.[59] The Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on October 21 climaxed the season amid rain and multiple safety car periods, where Räikkönen started third, made an early pit stop, and benefited from a lap-25 safety car bunching the field after Timo Glock's crash, enabling him to win ahead of Massa.[60] Hamilton, hampered by an eighth-place qualifying and wet-weather handling issues, recovered to seventh for two points, finishing one point shy of the title as Räikkönen clinched it at 110.[60] Alonso's third place secured consistent points, but McLaren's qualifying woes and intra-team dynamics—evident in Hamilton's inability to challenge frontrunners—facilitated Ferrari's data-backed turnaround from a 30-point deficit five races prior.[61]Controversies and Investigations
Spygate Espionage Scandal
The Spygate scandal emerged in April 2007 when Ferrari discovered that their technical director, Nigel Stepney, had provided McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan with a confidential 780-page technical dossier containing proprietary information on Ferrari's car components, setup procedures, and strategies.[62] Coughlan's wife photocopied the documents at a commercial print shop in the United Kingdom, where staff recognized the Ferrari branding and alerted the team, prompting Ferrari to notify the FIA on April 3, 2007.[63] Stepney, who had been in contact with Coughlan via 35 phone calls and 288 SMS messages, was suspended by Ferrari shortly thereafter, while Coughlan was dismissed by McLaren.[63] The FIA launched an investigation, leading to the first World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing on July 26, 2007, where McLaren was initially exonerated after the team denied any dissemination or use of the data beyond Coughlan's individual possession, with no forensic evidence of broader team involvement at that stage.[64] However, subsequent digital forensics uncovered emails indicating that McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa and Fernando Alonso had received and discussed portions of the Ferrari data, including weight distribution details and gear change strategies, with attempts to delete files suggesting awareness of impropriety.[65] [66] A second WMSC hearing on September 13, 2007, reversed the prior decision based on this email evidence, confirming that multiple McLaren personnel possessed Ferrari's confidential information, violating FIA regulations against dishonest conduct even without proven direct application to car development.[67] McLaren was fined a record $100 million—partially offset by forfeited commercial revenue—and excluded from the 2007 Constructors' Championship, though drivers' points remained intact due to lack of evidence tying the espionage to on-track performance advantages.[68] [66] McLaren maintained that the data conferred no sporting benefit, as independent audits found no Ferrari-derived modifications in their MP4-22 chassis, attributing possession to rogue actions by Coughlan rather than systemic intent.[62] In contrast, the FIA emphasized empirical proof of data circulation among senior staff as sufficient grounds for penalty, arguing it undermined competitive integrity irrespective of usage.[66] The punishment's scale drew criticism for disproportionality, with some observers questioning FIA president Max Mosley's impartiality given his reported personal rapport with Ferrari personnel, though no formal bias was substantiated.[62] The affair exacerbated internal McLaren tensions, eroding trust amid the Alonso-Hamilton rivalry and contributing to Alonso's mid-season exit, as evidenced by leaked communications revealing threats of further disclosures.[65]Internal Team Conflicts and Other Incidents
Tensions within the McLaren team escalated during the 2007 Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying on August 4, when Fernando Alonso deliberately obstructed Lewis Hamilton by refusing to allow his teammate out of the pit lane for a final flying lap in Q3.[69][52] This act of retaliation stemmed from an earlier incident where Hamilton had ignored team instructions to yield position to Alonso on track, denying the Spaniard a clear run.[69] Both drivers started the race outside the top positions as a result—Alonso from fourth and Hamilton from sixth—highlighting the intra-team discord that undermined McLaren's championship aspirations despite their competitive car.[52] Alonso's frustrations extended to demands for preferential treatment from team principal Ron Dennis, including threats to withhold cooperation if not designated the lead driver.[70] These demands, voiced amid the season's pressures, reflected Alonso's prior world championship experience clashing with Hamilton's rapid emergence as an equal contender, contributing to a fractured dynamic that persisted through the year.[70] In contrast, Ferrari maintained internal stability between Felipe Massa and Kimi Räikkönen, with no reported driver disputes disrupting their campaign; this cohesion enabled nine victories and the constructors' title.[71] BMW Sauber experienced no major lineup disruptions, retaining Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica as their core drivers for all 17 races, supplemented by test duties from Sebastian Vettel.[72] Super Aguri, however, grappled with chronic underfunding, relying on outdated 2006 Honda chassis and facing operational strains that limited development and testing, foreshadowing their 2008 collapse.[73] Other notable incidents included a post-race track invasion at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 5, where spectators breached barriers and entered the circuit, delaying proceedings and prompting FIA scrutiny over safety protocols.[74] This breach, occurring immediately after the chequered flag, underscored logistical vulnerabilities at the Hungaroring and contributed to fines for organizers.[74]Championship Outcomes
Drivers' Championship Contenders and Deciders
The 2007 Drivers' Championship resolved into a three-way battle dominated by McLaren teammates Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, pursued by Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen, whose steady performance capitalized on rivals' lapses. Räikkönen achieved 6 race wins across the 17-round season, including five in the final six events, reflecting a pattern of error-free execution and strategic adaptability that yielded 12 podiums without the disqualifications or internal strife affecting McLaren. [75] In lap-time analyses from mid-season onward, Räikkönen's Ferrari often posted competitive sector times in variable conditions, enabling opportunistic overtakes, such as his charge from 10th to victory in rain-affected Japan.[76] Hamilton, as a rookie, amassed 109 points via 4 wins and a record 12 podiums for a debutant, including nine consecutive from Australia to Europe, but point differentials widened due to operational errors, notably a mid-race gearbox malfunction in Brazil that relegated him from contention for a top finish to 7th, costing an estimated 6-8 points relative to his pace. Strategy audits highlighted how such incidents, compounded by earlier wet-weather misjudgments like his Canada spin after a delayed pit call, eroded his lead; quantitative reviews show Hamilton's average qualifying deficit to pole was minimal (under 0.3 seconds in dry sessions), yet race-day reliability gaps—exacerbated by McLaren's post-Spygate disarray—prevented sustained dominance.[77] [78] Alonso secured 4 victories but saw his title aspirations undermined by penalties stemming from intra-team tensions, including a 5-place grid penalty for deliberately impeding Hamilton during Hungarian qualifying, which forced a suboptimal start in Turkey and contributed to a 5th-place finish instead of a potential podium.[69] Lap data from affected races indicates Alonso's raw pace rivaled Hamilton's, with faster stint averages in high-fuel loads, yet cumulative point losses from sanctions and qualifying skirmishes—totaling around 10-12 points per modeling—shifted momentum.[79] Entering Brazil on October 21, Hamilton held 107 points to Alonso's 103 and Räikkönen's 100, setting scenarios where a Hamilton win would secure the title, but Räikkönen's pole-to-flag victory (10 points) against Hamilton's 2-point 7th and Alonso's 6-point 3rd flipped the standings to 110-109-109. This decider exemplified causal factors beyond raw speed: Räikkönen's post-Hungary surge, coinciding with Spygate's fallout that distracted McLaren (evidenced by their drivers' public clashes and strategy discord), allowed Ferrari's unflappable approach to harvest maximum returns from superior tire management in Brazil's mixed conditions.[76] Empirical tracking of position gains shows Räikkönen netting +22 places over the finale six races via clean starts and defensive holds, underscoring how rivals' error margins—Hamilton's 15 positions lost in Brazil alone—proved decisive in the 1-point margin.Constructors' Championship Resolution
Scuderia Ferrari clinched the Constructors' Championship with 204 points, surpassing BMW Sauber's 101 points, after McLaren-Mercedes was excluded from the standings due to the Spygate scandal, despite the latter's drivers having amassed 218 points prior to disqualification.[80][81] The exclusion stemmed from the FIA's determination that McLaren possessed and utilized confidential Ferrari technical data, resulting in the forfeiture of all team points and a record $100 million fine, which shifted the title decisively to Ferrari midway through the season.[62] Ferrari's aggregate benefited from balanced contributions across races, with the F2007 car's mechanical reliability enabling fewer retirements compared to rivals like Renault, which saw its early-season momentum erode to a final tally of 51 points amid inconsistent performances and mechanical issues.[80] BMW Sauber's second-place finish reflected steady point-scoring from both cars, leveraging the P87/07 chassis's aerodynamic efficiency and BMW's engine power in high-speed circuits, though they trailed Ferrari's overall consistency.[80] In the midfield, Toro Rosso secured eighth with 8 points, derived primarily from opportunistic finishes in dry conditions aided by the Ferrari-derived V8 engine's reliability, while teams like Williams (33 points) and Red Bull (24 points) struggled with chassis limitations in variable weather, where Ferrari's strategic tire choices and setup adaptability provided edges without relying on disqualifications.[80] Ferrari's title resolution underscored the impact of sustained operational reliability—evidenced by lower DNF rates—and tactical acumen in adapting to tire degradation and track-specific demands, factors that aggregated points methodically across the 17-race calendar.[82]Results and Data
Grand Prix-by-Grand Prix Results
The 2007 Formula One World Championship featured 17 Grands Prix, with results verified from official timing and qualifying data.[1][83]| Grand Prix | Date | Pole Position | Winner | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | 18 March | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| Malaysian | 8 April | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) |
| Bahraini | 15 April | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| Spanish | 13 May | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) |
| Monaco | 27 May | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) |
| Canadian | 10 June | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) |
| United States | 17 June | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| French | 1 July | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) |
| British | 8 July | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| European | 22 July | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| Hungarian | 5 August | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| Turkish | 26 August | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) |
| Italian | 9 September | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) | Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes) |
| Belgian | 16 September | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) |
| Japanese | 30 September | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) |
| Chinese | 7 October | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) |
| Brazilian | 21 October | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) | Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) | Felipe Massa (Ferrari) |
Scoring System and Final Standings
The scoring system in the 2007 Formula One World Championship awarded 10 points to the race winner, followed by 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 point for finishing second through eighth, respectively.[85] Positions ninth and lower, as well as non-finishers, received no points. All results from the 17 Grands Prix counted toward the championships, with no provision for dropping lowest scores.[2] In the event of tied points for the Drivers' Championship, tiebreakers prioritized the driver with the most race wins; if equal, the most second-place finishes, then third places, and so on through the finishing order until a difference emerged.[85]| Pos. | Driver | Nationality | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Räikkönen | Finland | Ferrari | 110 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | United Kingdom | McLaren-Mercedes | 109 |
| 3 | Fernando Alonso | Spain | McLaren-Mercedes | 109 |
| 4 | Felipe Massa | Brazil | Ferrari | 94 |
| 5 | Nick Heidfeld | Germany | BMW Sauber | 61 |
| 6 | Robert Kubica | Poland | BMW Sauber | 39 |
| 7 | Heikki Kovalainen | Finland | Renault | 30 |
| 8 | Giancarlo Fisichella | Italy | Renault | 21 |
| 9 | Nico Rosberg | Germany | Williams-Toyota | 20 |
| 10 | Jarno Trulli | Italy | Toyota | 20 |
| 11 | David Coulthard | United Kingdom | Red Bull-Renault | 14 |
| 12 | Vitantonio Liuzzi | Italy | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 8 |
| 13 | Takuma Sato | Japan | Super Aguri-Honda | 6 |
| 14 | Anthony Davidson | United Kingdom | Super Aguri-Honda | 6 |
| 15 | Alexander Wurz | Austria | Williams-Toyota | 13 |
| 16 | Ralf Schumacher | Germany | Toyota | 5 |
| 17 | Adrian Sutil | Germany | Spyker-Ferrari | 5 |
| 18 | Sebastian Vettel | Germany | BMW Sauber | 6 |
| 19 | Mark Webber | Australia | Red Bull-Renault | 10 |
| 20 | Jenson Button | United Kingdom | Honda | 6 |
| 21 | Rubens Barrichello | Brazil | Honda | 0 |
| 22 | Scott Speed | United States | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 0 |
| 23 | Sakon Yamamoto | Japan | Spyker-Ferrari | 0 |
| 24 | Christijan Albers | Netherlands | Spyker-Ferrari | 0 |
| 25 | Yuki Ide | Japan | Super Aguri-Honda | 0 |
| Pos. | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari | 204 |
| 2 | BMW Sauber | 101 |
| 3 | Renault | 51 |
| 4 | Williams-Toyota | 33 |
| 5 | Red Bull-Renault | 24 |
| 6 | Toyota | 13 |
| 7 | Toro Rosso-Ferrari | 8 |
| 8 | Super Aguri-Honda | 6 |
| 9 | Honda | 0 |
| 10 | Spyker-Ferrari | 5 |