As F1 approached the 2010s, the 2007 season delivered several unforgettable moments that both delighted and astonished motorsport fans. LWOS looks back at some of the standout events from that season.
The 2007 F1 Season: A Year of Drama, Controversy, and Triumph
Few seasons in Formula 1 history have been as dramatic as 2007.
A fierce title battle saw three drivers enter the final race with a chance to be crowned champion, while behind the scenes, the infamous Spygate scandal rocked the sport.
The 2007 F1 season also marked the rise of two future legends – Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel – while Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen staged a remarkable comeback to claim his first and only world championship.
Kimi Raikkonen: The Last Ferrari World Champion
Kimi Raikkonen dominated the season opener at Albert Park, leading the race from start to finish for a comfortable victory – Ferrari’s first debut win with a new driver since Nigel Mansell in 1989.
The Canadian Grand Prix was absolute chaos for everyone, including the Finnish driver. Amidst the turmoil, he still crossed the finish line, a moment that seemed to foreshadow his eventual triumph despite internal team controversies.
He led Ferrari’s first 1-2 finish of the season, winning from pole.
The Finnish driver stood atop the podium twice more in Malaysia and Bahrain. But after these highs, he faced disappointment in Spain, retiring from the race.
Still, he remained in the championship fight against the McLaren duo, securing top-ten finishes in Monaco, Canada, and the USA.
He added two more victories to his tally in France and Britain. At Silverstone, he took the win ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who had secured pole position.
However, another setback came in the European Grand Prix, where a gearbox failure forced him to retire for the second time. By then, the gap in the Drivers’ Standings between him and the McLarens – particularly the record-breaking rookie Hamilton – had widened.
Determined to stay in contention, Raikkonen pushed harder. His best chance at securing the title was to finish consistently in the top three for the remaining rounds.
And what a marvel he delivered.
Heading into the final round in Brazil, he sat third in the Drivers’ Standings. But with his signature cool demeanor and confidence, he seized his moment – clinching the World Championship by a single point over his orange-clad rivals.
Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel’s Debut
Lewis Hamilton
At McLaren, Hamilton was paired with two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso. The young Brit immediately stunned the F1 world by finishing third in his debut race in Australia.
He then secured consecutive podium finishes in the next eight races. However, in Germany, an early puncture pushed him down the order, ending his podium streak.
Despite this setback, Hamilton far exceeded expectations for a rookie. His rapid rise to prominence made him a formidable rival, even to his own teammate, Alonso.
With the young Brit occasionally matching the Spaniard’s pace, tensions grew within McLaren. Alonso, eager to maintain his status as the team’s lead driver, felt increasingly threatened – but Hamilton remained unfazed.
He claimed his first-ever F1 victory in Canada, navigating through chaos and multiple Safety Car periods. As both McLaren drivers fought for the championship, their on-track battles intensified.
One of the season’s most controversial moments unfolded at the Hungaroring. Hamilton refused to let Alonso pass during practice, breaking a prior team agreement.
In retaliation, Alonso deliberately held him up in the pit lane during qualifying, preventing Hamilton from completing his final flying lap.
The Spaniard received a five-place grid penalty, allowing polesitter Hamilton to capitalize and take the victory.
At the season finale in Brazil, an early gearbox issue forced Hamilton to fight his way back through the field, ultimately finishing seventh.
In the end, he fell just one point short of Raikkonen’s championship-winning total. Nonetheless, finishing as runner-up in his debut season was a remarkable achievement—one that marked the beginning of an extraordinary F1 career.
READ MORE: Best F1 Rookie Seasons: Lewis Hamilton
Sebastian Vettel
By the 2007 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel was already part of the F1 world, having served as BMW Sauber’s test driver since the previous year.
He made his race debut at the US Grand Prix, stepping in for Robert Kubica after his heavy crash in Canada. Vettel impressed immediately, finishing eighth and becoming the youngest driver at the time to score points in F1.
After parting ways with BMW, he replaced Scott Speed at Toro Rosso for the remainder of the season—another example of Red Bull’s ruthless mid-season driver changes.
At Fuji, Vettel qualified a stunning third and was on course for a maiden podium finish for both himself and Toro Rosso. However, disaster struck under the Safety Car when he collided with Mark Webber’s Red Bull, forcing both drivers to retire.
Undeterred, Vettel bounced back in China with a spectacular drive. Starting P171 in mixed conditions, he charged through the field to finish an impressive fourth.
Alongside Hamilton, Formula 1 had found another rising star in Vettel.
READ MORE: Best F1 Rookie Seasons: Sebastian Vettel
The Final Year of Traction Control
Traction control played a crucial role in preventing excessive wheelspin, allowing drivers to accelerate more efficiently.
Throughout the 1990s, the FIA made several attempts to ban the system, citing safety concerns related to speed regulation. While the ban was eventually implemented, it led to more challenges than anticipated. By 2001, traction control was reintroduced in a modified form.
However, amid the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the system was permanently replaced by the standardized Engine Control Unit (ECU).
And Of Course, Spygate
Last but not least, no discussion of the 2007 F1 season would be complete without one of F1’s most infamous scandals – Spygate.
It all began with Nigel Stepney, a former Ferrari mechanic who was denied a promotion to Technical Director. Out of frustration, he attempted to sabotage both Ferrari cars during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, leading to his suspension from the team.
But Stepney didn’t stop there. Seeking revenge, he leaked confidential Ferrari design documents to a trusted associate – McLaren’s then-Chief Designer, Mike Coughlan.
Chaos erupted in both the McLaren and Ferrari camps, triggering investigations by the FIA, as well as Italian and British courts. The scandal unfolded over several months, casting a shadow over the season.
The fallout was severe. McLaren was found guilty and handed an unprecedented $100 million fine, along with disqualification from the Constructors’ Championship.
However, thanks to their cooperation with authorities, McLaren’s drivers – Hamilton and Alonso – were allowed to continue competing for the title.
Despite being in contention all season, McLaren’s nightmare ended in the worst possible way.
Their internal turmoil, combined with the scandal, ultimately cost them the championship, as Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen clinched the title in the final race in Brazil.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / HochZwei
Recording Date: 21.10.2007
