Formula One news

Ecclestone: Dennis handed Raikkonen the championship

Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at the McLaren Formula 1 team for giving away the Formula One World Championship with a silly strategy error in the final round of the 2007 F1 season. Ecclestone couldn't believe it when he saw McLaren bring in Hamilton in the early stages of the race for an extra pitstop. He believes that mistake caused Hamilton to miss the title.

"Ron gave Raikkonen the championship," Ecclestone told The Mirror. "If he hadn't called Hamilton in for that silly low fuel and soft tyres stint he could have won the championship. He made no time on the road and lost 25 seconds making the stop. If he had only lost 15 seconds he would have been fourth.

"I feel sorry for Lewis after his performances this year as a rookie. Raikkonen is champion. I just hope he starts talking more."

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