After seeing somewhere around 85 Formula One races live and several hundred televised I think we are going to have an interesting year. I am looking forward to it. Always lots to learn, changing drivers, drivers changing teams, new paint jobs, new teams, new rules. The podium finish in this picture is the youngest average age finish ever. Twenty-four years and eight months. Felipe Massa managed to win the race with a seven second lead. He had also won the previous race in Bahrain.
Massa was born in Brazil and started his Formula One career with Sauber in 2002 with Nick Heilfeld. Then he was off the track for a year doing a test driver stint with Ferrari. Sauber brought him back in 2004 with Giancarlo Fisichella and 2005 with Jacques Villeneuve. His switch to Ferrari came in 2006 and paired with Michael Schumacher. 2007 sees him still with Ferrari and teammate Kimi Raikkonen. So far this season he has had one 6th, one 5th and two wins for a total of 27 points.
Lewis Hamilton who now hails from England is in his first Formula One year. He has had great success and is looking forward to having a banner year as a rookie. So far he has collected one 3rd place and three 2nd places. A real feat for a rookie. He is currently in the point lead with 30 points.
Third place falls to Spanish born Fernando Alonso. He started his Formula One career with the Minardi Team with teammate Tarso Margues. I never knew how the Minardi Team held it together without any real money. In 2003 he took a year off to be a test driver with Renault. In 2004 he was back in the Formula One saddle, first partnered with Jarno Trulli and then former world champion Jacques Villeneuve. In 2005 with Renault and teammate Giancarlo Fisichella he became the youngest world champion ever at age 24. In 2006 he did it again including a win in front of his native people at the Spanish Grand Prix. Now 2007 brings him a new team, McLaren-Mercedes, and a new teammate, Lewis Hamilton. So far this season he has a 2nd, a 3rd, a 5th and one win for a total of 28 points.
An interesting year indeed...
