Kovalainen Completes ING NYC Marathon

Congratulations to Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen on his completion of the ING New York City Marathon.

The Finnish driver/runner finished the race in 3:36:56 which was good enough for 5370th place. Kovalainen's pace is testament to the necessity of fitness in modern F1 racing as he finished ahead of approx 34,000 other runners.

The NYC Marathon was sponsored this year by Kovalainen's team sponsor, ING.

Kovalainen's future in F1 is cloudy for the 2008 season as several drivers await the news of where former double world champion Fernando Alonso will race in '08.

The Finn outpaced his older and more experienced teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, this season and looks set for a race drive somewhere in the field as a desired young talent.

Breaking News: McLaren, Alonso Part Company

Fernando Alonso is a free agent in the Formula 1 talent pool following an amicable split from McLaren Mercedes. Ron Dennis, team boss at McLaren, promised a decision between the two parties within a couple weeks of the end of the season and has delivered.

Alonso leaves the squad after fulfilling just one of three years on his contract.

It had been speculated that the Spanish driver would only be allowed to nullify his three year contract if he were to join a privateer team but that appears to be false.

Alonso is free to join which ever team he wishes and the rest of the driver market is hinged on his decision.

The likely options on the table for the Spaniard are seats at Renault, Williams, Toyota, and even Red Bull.

One possibilty that shouldn't be overlooked is a drive at Honda F1. Rumors are swirling that the lack of determination from Rubens Barichello may land him a demotion to Jr Honda team Super Aguri.

Honda utilize a humungous budget and despite a horrid 2007 campaign could use said budget to turn things around in '08.

Let the Post Season Begin

Less than a week into the post season and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is champion... for now. A stunning start in Brazil combined with ill timed malfunctions in his title competitor's car and Raikkonen smiled like the Formula 1 world had never seen.

In fitting form the season ends with a question mark following another legal appeal to change the outcome of events. Banned British team McLaren Mercedes has voiced their desire to appeal on a fuel temperature issue.

Meanwhile, the forces that be in the FIA, World Motorsports Council and Manufacturers have agreed that F1 will freeze all engine development in the years to come.

20 weeks until Melbourne.

Find out the latest in the latest edition of the Rampage Racing Report

Raikkonen Takes Victory and Surpise Title in Brazil

Kimi Raikkonen is the best driver in the world. Fact.

Raikkonen took the world driver's title by surprise after heading into the final round of the season with a seven point deficit behind rookie Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton's hopes all but dissolved after an electrical glitch crippled his car dropping him to 18th position. The McLaren driver managed to claw back to seventh place but it wasn't enough to stop Raikkonen's charge to his first ever title. Raikkonen's teammate and home crowd favorite Felipe Massa made it another Ferrari 1-2 finish.

Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso who came into the weekend just 4 points back of the title did not challenge the Ferraris after the third lap and ended the season behind Raikkonen and Hamilton in 3rd place.

This may have been the fianl race for Alonso at McLaren at the close of this tumultuous season.

Brazilian Fans Erupt In Joy For Massa

As Lewis Hamilton crossed the line just a tenth of a second off of Felipe Massa's pole qualifying time the Brazilian fans joyously roared their support for their fellow Brazilian.

Massa, now out of championship contention, has only the pride of his nation to race for on Sunday. By contrast Hamilton races to become the first ever rookie world champion in Formula 1 history.

Starting from third is Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen who enters into the race seven points behind Hamilton. Raikkonen got held up in qualifying behind Hamilton as the rookie left the pitlane and wasn't sufficiently clear of Raikkonen who flew by on his hot lap.

Final contender for the championship is Fernando Alonso who could not get his car further than fourth in qualifying and will start the race from the dirty side of the second row.

Australian Marc Webber put his Reb Bull team on the third row ahead of both BMW's.

1. F. Massa - Ferrari
2. L. Hamilton - McLaren
3. K. Raikkonen - Ferrari
4. F. Alonso - McLaren
5. M. Webber - Red Bull Racing
6. N. Heidfeld - BWM
7. R. Kubica - BMW
8. J. Trulli - Toyota

Hamilton Off The Hook

Lewis Hamilton escaped grid and time penalties this evening in Brazil.

The British driver violated sporting code during Friday Practice 1 by using to many wet weather tires during a damp morning session.

McLaren quickly took responsibility for the mix up and Hamilton escaped punishment while his team must now pay a 15,000 euro fine for the error.

The English team was not the only offender. Jenson Button and Takuma Sato both violated the code and similarily both teams received the concurrent fines.

The Ultimate Round of the Season

The 2007 Formula One World Drivers Championship concludes this long year by treating its fans to a three way show down for the title this weekend in Brazil.

This round determines which driver has earned the right to call himself the best in the world.

Lewis Hamilton landed in Brazil with a seven point lead over teammate and reigning double world champion Fernando Alonso. Fierce intra-team battle awaits the McLaren duo with the pressure on Alonso to defend his titles against the rookie sensation with just 3 points separating the two.

Kimi Raikkonen on the other hand rides the victory momentum of China in a sport where momentum is the name of the game.

The Final Race.

 RRR 26 - Click here to listen...