'Iceman' Raikkonen wins the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix
28 Apr 2008
Formula One (F1) world champion Kimi Raikkonen won the Spanish Grand Prix yesterday, for the second time in his career to move atop the drivers standings in the 2008-09 racing season. The fourth race of the season, held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, also puts Ferrari in the lead in the 'constructor standings' or the team championship.
The Finnish driver won the race, ahead of his team mate Felipe Massa of Brazil, to register his 17th career win in Formula One racing. Ferrari also completed its second straight 1-2 sweep in Barcelona, after Massa and Raikkonen had finished one and two in the previous race in Bahrain three weeks ago.
Raikkonen won the race from pole position to move to 29 points in the drivers standings, ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton at 20 points. Ferrari leads the 'constructor standings' with 45 points followed by BMW Sauber with 35 points.
The F1 season now moves to Istambul for the Turkish Grand Prix on 11 May.
Raikkonnen, also know as the 'Iceman' in the F1 racing circuit for his calm and cool temperament joined the Italain car firm in 2007 from Mclaren and won the championship in his debut year. His stint with McLaren fetched him two runner-up titles in 2003 and 2005.
The Formula One world championship or the F1 season comprises a series of Grand Prix races governed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The 2008 season features 18 races with 11 teams competing. Force India, bought by a consortium headed by Kingfisher Airlines and UB chairman Vijay Mallya is the first F1 team owned by an Indian to compete in the circuit.
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