Brazilian Grand Prix 2007 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Kimi Raikkonen pulled off one of the greatest championship comebacks in Formula 1 history at the Brazilian Grand Prix season finale, winning the race from pole position and snatching the title by a single point after Lewis Hamilton's dramatic gearbox failure dropped the rookie sensation from championship leader to seventh place. The Finnish driver, who had trailed Hamilton by 17 points with just two races remaining, executed a perfect performance at Interlagos while his rivals faltered under the immense pressure of the championship showdown. Felipe Massa completed a Ferrari one-two on home soil as the Scuderia secured both world championships in the closest three-way title fight Formula 1 had ever witnessed, with Raikkonen finishing on 110 points ahead of Hamilton and Fernando Alonso who both ended tied on 109 points.

Starting from pole position, Massa appeared perfectly positioned to deliver Ferrari the constructors' title with teammate Raikkonen starting second on the grid. However, the Finn made the better start and seized the lead into Turn 1, controlling the race from the front with ice-cool composure while the championship drama unfolded behind him. The pivotal moment came when Hamilton, running fourth and on course for the fifth-place finish needed to secure the title regardless of other results, suffered a sudden gearbox problem that left his McLaren stuck in neutral. The 22-year-old rookie sat helpless at the side of the track for agonizing seconds before the gearbox reset, allowing him to rejoin in 18th place. Hamilton fought back desperately through the field to salvage seventh place and two points, but it was too little - Raikkonen's victory gave him the ten points needed to overhaul both McLaren drivers and claim his first world championship.

Alonso finished third to complete the podium but could only watch helplessly as his season-long battle with Hamilton ended with both drivers losing to Ferrari's late surge. The Spaniard's championship hopes had effectively died one week earlier in China when he made a critical error in wet conditions, leaving Raikkonen perfectly positioned for the Interlagos showdown. Hamilton's heartbreak was complete - the rookie had led the championship for most of the season and needed only to finish fifth, yet mechanical failure and the crushing pressure of the occasion conspired against him. Raikkonen set the fastest lap to complete a dominant weekend, validating Ferrari's faith in signing him from McLaren and proving his reputation as the fastest driver in Formula 1. The 2007 finale marked the first time since 1986 that the championship lead changed hands at the final race, providing a dramatic conclusion to one of the sport's most controversial and thrilling seasons. For Hamilton, it was a devastating introduction to how cruel Formula 1 can be; for Raikkonen, it was redemption after years of McLaren heartbreak and confirmation that raw speed combined with Ferrari reliability could conquer all.