Raikkonen, McLaren left with it all to do 24 Jul 2005
Doing the maths...
Kimi Raikkonen’s McLaren coasting to a halt in the German Grand Prix may yet prove to be the defining moment of the 2005 season.
As Fernando Alonso streaked past into the lead, Raikkonen’s chances of catching the Spaniard in this year’s championship took a severe blow. With seven rounds remaining, Raikkonen, on 51 points, is now 36 points behind his rival's 87. In simple terms, that means that even if the Finn wins every race, Alonso would still take the title if he finishes in fourth place or higher.
Michael Schumacher’s chances of another drivers' title look even slimmer - with 47 points he’s now 40 adrift of Alonso - although Raikkonen’s failure to score any points in Germany means that Schumacher closes to within five points of the McLaren driver.
McLaren’s challenge looks slightly stronger in the constructors’ championship - with Giancarlo Fisichella’s poor finishing record helping to cancel out some of Renault’s advantage. Just 22 points separate the two teams, Renault on 117 to McLaren's 95, with Ferrari a further 17 points back in third place.
Of course, the season is far from over - and there are still plenty of other variables to consider. A few Alonso retirements and Raikkonen wins could change everything. However, Raikkonen and the McLaren team both know that their chances of taking either championship are hanging by a thread heading into next week’s race in Hungary.
