Spanish drivers narrowly won this year’s — totally unofficial — Nations’ Cup with a score of 137 to Germany’s 135. This ends a five-year winning streak for Germany which will have to settle for second place. Not surprisingly, Fernando Alonso (133) scored the majority of Spain’s points but it was Pedro de la Rosa’s four from his single outing at Bahrain that clinched the title for Spain.
Germany’s points were more evenly distributed amongst their drivers; Michael Schumacher (62), Ralf Schumacher (45) and Nick Heidfeld (28).
Kimi Raikkonen took third place for Finland with 112 solo points.
Posted: Sunday, October 16th, 2005
Fernando Alonso started from the pole and drove a fairly easy race to win today’s Chinese Grand Prix. His win also helped Renault clinch the Constructors’ race for the title double.
Kimi Raikkonen pressed hard to keep McLaren’s hopes alive but his second place finish alone could not overcome Renault’s points lead. In what was probably the most fitting end to his season, Juan Pablo Montoya’s McLaren suffered a puncture when he hit a loose manhole cover and then an engine failure six laps later ended his race and McLaren’s title hopes.
Round 19: October 16, 2005 - Shanghai, China
| Position |
Driver |
Team |
Points |
| 1 |
Fernando Alonso (ESP) |
Renault |
10 |
| 2 |
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) |
McLaren Mercedes |
8 |
| 3 |
Ralf Schumacher (GER) |
Toyota |
6 |
| 4 |
Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) |
Renault |
5 |
| 5 |
Christian Klien (AUT) |
Red Bull Racing |
4 |
| 6 |
Felipe Massa (BRA) |
Sauber Petronas |
3 |
| 7 |
Mark Webber (AUS) |
BMW WilliamsF1 |
2 |
| 8 |
Jenson Button (GBR) |
BAR Honda |
1 |
| Fastest Qualifier: Fernando Alonso (ESP) |
Complete GP of China results.
Posted: Sunday, October 16th, 2005
Kimi Raikkonen won today’s Japanese Grand Prix with a brilliant drive from last to first and a pass on Giancarlo Fisichella for the win on the last lap. Raikkonen found himself at the back of the grid due to yet another 10 place penalty for changing an engine during the race weekend but he would probably have ended up there anyway as the clouds opened during his qualifying run and it was pouring with rain by the time he finished his lap.
Despite Raikkonen’s victory, a steady run by Fisichella and an equally impressive run through the pack by Fernando Alonso gave Renault a two-point lead over McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship as they head into the last race of the season in China this weekend.
Raikkonen’s teammate Juan Pablo Montoya was less fortunate in his attempt to charge through the field and his McLaren was wrecked after being pushed off of the track by Jacques Villeneuve on the first lap after an overly ambitious outside overtaking attempt.
Round 18: October 9, 2005 - Suzuka, Japan
| Position |
Driver |
Team |
Points |
| 1 |
Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) |
McLaren Mercedes |
10 |
| 2 |
Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) |
Renault |
8 |
| 3 |
Fernando Alonso (ESP) |
Renault |
6 |
| 4 |
Mark Webber (AUS) |
BMW WilliamsF1 |
5 |
| 5 |
Jenson Button (GBR) |
BAR Honda |
4 |
| 6 |
David Coulthard (GBR) |
Red Bull Racing |
3 |
| 7 |
Michael Schumacher (GER) |
Ferrari |
2 |
| 8 |
Ralf Schumacher (GER) |
Toyota |
1 |
| Fastest Qualifier: Ralf Schumacher (GER) |
Complete GP of Japan results.
Posted: Sunday, October 9th, 2005
Honda has purchased the remaining 55% of BAR Honda shares from founder British American Tobacco and will be in complete control of the team next year.
This acquisition had been expected for a while and it will allow Honda to maximize their efforts as they compete with Japanese rival Toyota… and, of course, the rest of the entrants.
BMW announced in June that they would be taking over Peter Sauber’s team next year and so, including Ferrari and Renault, there will be at least five manufacturer owned teams on the grid next year. In contrast, it was only a few years ago that Ferrari was the only such team.
Posted: Tuesday, October 4th, 2005
