ISTANBUL, 23 August 2005 — Even if Kimi Raikkonen wins every remaining race this season, he may be powerless to prevent Fernando Alonso from winning the Formula One title.
Sunday’s inaugural Turkish Grand Prix raised the real possibility the McLaren driver could take more victories than his Renault rival yet fail to stop the Spaniard in his bid to inherit Michael Schumacher’s crown.
McLaren can finish one-two in the last five races and still 24-year-old Alonso, with a 24-point lead, will be the sport’s youngest champion if he finishes third in every one.
Raikkonen won on Sunday for scant reward, with Alonso finishing second. The Finn has five wins so far this year while Alonso has six. While third overall and mathematically still in the reckoning, Schumacher is 40 points behind Alonso and has no chance after failing to finish Sunday’s race.
Renault are also fighting McLaren for the constructors’ championship and need every point, but team boss Flavio Briatore recognized consistency was the key to success.
“If it’s impossible to win, and McLaren were stronger today, we will do the best possible,” he said. “Our reliability was perfect, and although the gaps are a little smaller after today, we are still leading both championships.” Renault have a nine-point lead over McLaren and are confident they can rise to McLaren’s challenge as the battle reaches its climax.
