SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazilians are hoping Felipe Massa will become the first Brazilian racer in 17 years to win the Formula One championship, but his colleagues say such a feat is akin to mission impossible.
“He must concentrate on winning the race and then hope for a miracle,” said Renault’s Fernando Alonso. “The only advantage he has is that he will not feel as much pressure as (Lewis) Hamilton.”
McLaren’s Hamilton enters this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix with a seven-point lead over Ferrari’s Massa, Hamilton’s only rival for the championship in the last race of the season.
Massa needs to win and have Hamilton finish no higher than sixth, or finish second while the Briton finishes seventh or worse.
“Felipe may have more chances of winning the race, but Hamilton does not have to push too hard. All he has to do is win a few points,” said Alonso’s teammate Nelson Piquet Jr.
For Red Bull’s David Coulthard, Hamilton has more chances of winning Sunday’s race, “which will be a mere formality.”
Honda’s Rubens Barrichello, Massa’s countryman, did not mince words: “Mission impossible.”
Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone agrees.
“It is a very difficult situation,” he said. “To erase a seven-point lead in just one race is a daunting task.”
RAIKKONEN’S FUTURE: Overshadowed by Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa, defending F1 champion Kimi Raikkonen has no plans of quitting and says he has what it takes to continue competing in the sport.
“I am 29 years old. I am not that old,” Raikkonen said. “Of course there are younger drivers but I think I can remain competing in Formula One for at least another four or five years.”
Raikkonen won last year’s championship over McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton by erasing the same seven-point deficit that Massa has this year.
Hamilton finished only seventh in the race after an early mistake and a subsequent gear box problem, and Raikkonen clinched the title after Massa let him by to win the race.
A two-time winner this season, Raikkonen is fourth in the drivers’ standings, 34 points behind Hamilton. He is only six points behind BMW’s Robert Kubica, however.
PROMOTING THE OLYMPICS: Knowing that millions of people around he world will be watching Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, the local government will use the event to promote Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics.
Rio de Janeiro is one four cities remaining in the bidding for the Summer Games. The others are Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid.
During Friday’s qualifiers and the race itself, publicity spots touting Rio as the ideal place for the Olympics will be projected on large video screens at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos track.
At the track, Sports Minister Orlando Silva is scheduled to meet with international sport personalities including British Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.
SECOND FIDDLE: McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen said there was no truth to rumors he was fed up playing second fiddle to teammate and Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton.
“I am perfectly comfortable in my position,” the 27-year-old Finnish driver said. “I am ashamed of nothing. Reports of my unhappiness are untrue.”
Kovalainen won his first career grand prix in Hungary. He was only seventh in the drivers’ standings, however, with 51 points.
HARDER THAN HE THOUGHT: Rookie driver Nelson Piquet Jr. said Formula One racing has proved to be tougher than he expected.
“To be perfectly sincere, it has been much harder than I imagined, mainly because I had to race on tracks I was unfamiliar with,” Piquet said. “I don’t think I am in a position to win races, and I don’t have the car for that.”
Piquet, 12th in the drivers ranking, said he would be satisfied if he could end the season in 10th place.
RACE OF CHAMPIONS: Red Bull driver David Coulthard, who will be wrapping up his Formula One career after Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix, plans to participate in the Race of Champions scheduled for December in London.
“After a difficult season, it will good to take part in a fun event,” Coulthard said.
The Scot is retiring after a 15-year career in F1.
FAREWELL TO GROOVED TIRES: Formula One racing will bid farewell to grooved tires at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.
In 2009, after 11 seasons, Formula One teams will use slick rubber for the first time since 1997.
The teams were required to use grooved tires in a move to slow down the cars and create more competition.
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