Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen seized his first Formula One title against the odds on Sunday after a stirring victory in Brazil that shattered Lewis Hamilton's dreams.
The Finn’s unexpected title triumph, leading Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa in a one-two finish, ended 22-year-old Briton Hamilton’s bid to become the youngest champion in his debut season with McLaren.
Hamilton finished seventh while team-mate Fernando Alonso, in what may prove to be his last race for McLaren, was third and 57 seconds behind the winner.
Raikkonen, the third Finnish Formula One world champion after Keke Rosberg (1982) and Mika Hakkinen (1998 and 1999), ended the season with 110 points to Hamilton and Alonso’s 109. Hamilton is runner-up on second places.
“We were not in the strongest of positions but we always believed we could recover,” said the 'Iceman', after his sixth win of the year.
“Even in the bad times, everyone was sticking together, and we didn’t give up... I think we had perfect teamwork.”
Hamilton, who had started the race as title favourite with a four-point lead over Alonso and an advantage of seven to Raikkonen, endured a nightmare afternoon in the Interlagos sunshine.
Starting on the front row, he had dropped to eighth at the end of the first lap after running wide as Alonso forced his way through and Ferrari settled into a one-two pattern with Massa leading from pole.
The Briton then slowed dramatically eight laps later and plunged to 18th place, leaving him fighting a desperate rearguard battle to claw his way back into the points.
Team boss Ron Dennis blamed a gearbox malfunction.
Final standings:
Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen (110 points) 1; Lewis Hamilton (109) 2; Fernando Alonso (109) 3; Felipe Massa (94) 4; Nick Heidfeld (61) 5; Robert Kubica (39) 6; Heikki Kovalainen (30) 7; Giancarlo Fisichella (21) 8; Nico Rosberg (20) 9; David Coulthard (14) 10.
Constructors: Ferrari (204) 1; BMW Sauber (101) 2; Renault (51) 3; Williams (33) 4; RedBull (24) 5; Toyota (13) 6; Toro Rosso (8) 7; Honda (6) 8; Super Aguri (4) 9; Spyker (1) 10.
