Formula One news

Difficult race for McLaren

Team McLaren Mercedes drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Pedro de la Rosa finished today's 71-lap Brazilian Grand Prix in fifth and eighth place respectively. Kimi was on a two-stop strategy pitting on laps 21 (8.5 seconds) and 51 (7.1 seconds), whilst Pedro was on a one-stop strategy coming in on lap 35 (10.8 seconds).

Raikkonen commetted on the race: "This was a very difficult race. My car was not easy to drive today because I didn't have much grip. The straight line speed could have been better as it was not easy to overtake slower cars. I ran wide once towards the end of the race which allowed Michael Schumacher to close in, and despite all my efforts I couldn't keep him behind. As this is my last race for Team McLaren Mercedes I want to thank everybody in the team who have supported me throughout my five years here."

De la Rosa said: "A very tough race for me. I was on a one-stop strategy and obviously this was a little too hard for the tyres. As a result I couldn't really attack, but at least I scored one point for the team. On the occasion of this last race of the season I want to thank my team for giving me the opportunity to race, it was a pleasure and an honour to compete for Team McLaren Mercedes this year. I would also like to congratulate my compatriot Fernando Alonso on winning his second Drivers' World Championship."

The McLaren team finished third overall in the Constructors' Championship with 110 points. Kimi finished fifth in the Drivers' Championship with 65 points, Juan Pablo Montoya is eighth with 26 points and Pedro 11th with 19 points.

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