McLaren Report – A Final Race Synonymous with Defeat

Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton end their season in the worst possible way they could have envisioned before the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix. With 109 points each, they were caught up by Kimi Räikkönen and Ferrari, leaving them only tears to shed.

The season was dominated almost from the start by Hamilton, but it was not enough for the young Englishman to claim the title. A 7th place finish in Brazil and multiple issues proved too much for the Englishman.

Alonso, on his side, was unable to compete with the Ferraris, which secured a one-two finish and overwhelming dominance. The season thus ends on a very negative note for McLaren, but the title still remains in the family with Räikkönen, a former driver of the team.

Fernando Alonso – 3rd

« Today’s result is of course disappointing, but we already knew it would be difficult to start fourth and win the championship today. I predicted at the beginning of the season that it would be very close and that the title would be decided in Brazil, I just hoped it would be in my favor, and I will have to accept it, at least for this season. »

It was a difficult race for me. During the first stint, I thought I was able to fight with the Ferrari drivers, however, when they attacked, they were too fast.

« Our single-seater has been fast since the start of the season and I have won 4 races. I am therefore obviously satisfied with this season. »

Lewis Hamilton – 7th

Of course, I am rather disappointed with today’s result, as I was leading the championship for a long time, and in the end, I didn’t win it! But I need to take a step back and when you look at it, it was my first season in F1, a phenomenal season. I am still very young and there are many years ahead of me to achieve my dream of becoming world champion.

« I would like to thank everyone for everything they have done for me this year. Without them, I wouldn’t even be in this position today. »

Ron Dennis – Director

« Having led the championship for such a long part of the year and then not winning it is really a very frustrating situation, but I think we can be proud of the progress made. »

Come to Brazil with both drivers without the means to win the championship shows how hard the team’s work has been. We still wish to congratulate Räikkönen on his success this year.

Norberg Haug – Mercedes Motorsport Director

The result we wanted, with Lewis or Fernando, both capable of winning the title, was not achieved and finishing with 109 points each is not enough against Räikkönen’s 110 points, for just one small point…

« However, I would like to thank the entire team for their hard work during this season. It is sad for the whole team but congratulations to Kimi and Ferrari for their success in the world championship. »