Chinese Grand Prix 2007 - Race Schedule and Countdown

The Chinese Grand Prix delivered one of the most dramatic and heartbreaking moments in Formula 1 history as Lewis Hamilton's championship dream turned into a nightmare when he crashed into the gravel trap at the pit entry, ending his race and handing Kimi Räikkönen a crucial victory that set up a winner-takes-all finale in Brazil. Hamilton had led the race from pole position but stayed out too long on worn tires against team advice, sliding helplessly into the gravel and watching his 12-point championship lead evaporate in an instant.

Räikkönen capitalized on Hamilton's disaster to claim a vital victory, leading home teammate Felipe Massa for Ferrari's fourth one-two finish of the season. The result meant three drivers entered the final race separated by just seven points - Räikkönen on 100, Hamilton and Alonso both on 107. Hamilton's error was caused by a catastrophic misjudgment - McLaren had called him to pit for fresh tires, but the rookie stayed out one lap too long, destroying his tires on the abrasive Shanghai circuit. As he attempted to enter the pits, his worn rubber had no grip, and he slid helplessly into the gravel trap, beaching his McLaren and retiring on the spot.

The images of Hamilton sitting motionless in his stricken car, watching his championship slip away, became one of the defining moments of the 2007 season. Massa's second place kept his mathematical championship hopes alive, though he needed to win Brazil and hope for disaster to befall both McLaren drivers. Alonso finished third, benefiting from his teammate's misfortune to draw level on points heading to the finale. The Chinese GP disaster proved that Hamilton, despite his extraordinary talent, was still a rookie capable of making costly errors under pressure. The stage was set for an unprecedented four-way title showdown at Interlagos, with Räikkönen now the favorite after Hamilton's crushing mistake handed Ferrari all the momentum.