2007 European Grand Prix: F1 Race, Qualifying & Winners

Fernando Alonso mastered a late downpour to pass Felipe Massa and win a chaotic European Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Debutant Markus Winkelhock briefly led for Spyker, while Lewis Hamilton’s eventful weekend ended with his first finish outside the points.

Result	Driver / Time	Team
Pole position	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari
Pole time	1:31.450
Fastest lap	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Fastest-lap time	1:32.853 on lap 34
First	Fernando Alonso	McLaren
Second	Felipe Massa	Ferrari
Third	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing

Weekend Schedule

Date	Session	Local Time
20 July 2007	Practice 1	10:00
20 July 2007	Practice 2	14:00
21 July 2007	Practice 3	11:00
21 July 2007	Qualifying	14:00
22 July 2007	Race	14:00

All times are local. The race time is the scheduled start; weather delays and interruptions are described below.

Championship background

Lewis Hamilton arrived at round 10 leading the 2007 F1 World Championship on 70 points, with Fernando Alonso on 58. McLaren headed the constructors’ standings after the preceding race with 128 points.

Race entries

Markus Winkelhock replaced Christijan Albers at Spyker, making his Formula 1 debut alongside Adrian Sutil. Lewis Hamilton was cleared to race after a heavy qualifying accident. This also proved to be Scott Speed’s final Grand Prix appearance for Toro Rosso.

Free Practice

Lewis Hamilton led Friday morning as BMW Sauber placed both cars ahead of Felipe Massa. Markus Winkelhock began learning the Spyker on his Grand Prix debut, while Honda showed encouraging pace with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in the top ten. Renault’s more restrained programme left its drivers further down the order than their recent race performances suggested.

A lunchtime rainstorm altered the circuit for the afternoon, and lap times were slower than in the opening session. Kimi Räikkönen moved to the front, while Lewis Hamilton spun twice but still finished close behind. Toyota placed both cars in the top six, and Jenson Button again ran well, underlining how conditions and programmes could reshape the Friday order.

Kimi Räikkönen stayed quickest on Saturday morning, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso. Robert Kubica separated the leading McLaren from Felipe Massa, giving BMW Sauber another strong showing at its home event. Markus Winkelhock continued building experience at the back, while the front-running pace suggested Ferrari and McLaren would again contest pole.

Free Practice 1 Classification

2007 European Grand Prix FP1, 20 July 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	1:32.515	26
2	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	+0.236s	24
3	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.417s	27
4	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.460s	35
5	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.690s	34
6	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+1.090s	24
7	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.310s	32
8	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.421s	28
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.547s	25
10	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.627s	25
11	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.637s	34
12	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+1.830s	32
13	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+2.048s	32
14	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+2.052s	30
15	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+2.168s	22
16	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+2.193s	36
17	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+2.392s	31
18	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+2.406s	21
19	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+2.562s	22
20	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+3.128s	15
21	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+3.825s	22
22	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	+4.601s	30

Free Practice 2 Classification

2007 European Grand Prix FP2, 20 July 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:33.339	28
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	+0.139s	28
3	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.251s	27
4	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.298s	30
5	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+0.329s	18
6	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+0.407s	22
7	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+0.506s	24
8	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+0.541s	36
9	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+0.807s	22
10	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.882s	19
11	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+0.896s	29
12	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+0.925s	21
13	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+1.018s	26
14	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.072s	26
15	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.092s	28
16	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+1.107s	25
17	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.165s	19
18	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+1.215s	26
19	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+1.981s	26
20	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+2.314s	24
21	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+3.188s	25
22	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	+3.980s	19

Free Practice 3 Classification

2007 European Grand Prix FP3, 21 July 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Time / Gap	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:31.396	18
2	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	+0.231s	12
3	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	+0.643s	11
4	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	+0.643s	18
5	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	+0.821s	18
6	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	+0.948s	16
7	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	+1.185s	20
8	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	+1.236s	16
9	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	+1.283s	18
10	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	+1.392s	21
11	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	+1.445s	20
12	7	Jenson Button	Honda	+1.473s	18
13	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	+1.540s	20
14	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	+1.578s	14
15	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	+1.758s	16
16	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	+1.818s	17
17	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	+1.833s	19
18	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	+2.088s	13
19	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	+2.396s	20
20	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	+2.549s	19
21	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	+3.027s	20
22	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	+4.694s	19

Qualifying

Kimi Räikkönen took pole ahead of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, but Lewis Hamilton’s heavy accident overshadowed Q3. A wheel-gun problem had left a front wheel improperly secured; the resulting failure sent his McLaren into the barriers and caused a lengthy stoppage. He was classified tenth and underwent medical checks before being allowed to start.

Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica filled fourth and fifth, with Mark Webber sixth and both Toyotas reaching the final shootout. David Coulthard suffered a costly Q1 exit after Red Bull sent him out too late to complete the lap he needed. Markus Winkelhock qualified last, setting the stage for an extraordinary change of fortunes when the rain arrived.

Qualifying Classification

2007 European Grand Prix Qualifying, 21 July 2007

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Laps
1	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	1:31.522	1:31.237	1:31.450	16
2	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	1:31.074	1:30.983	1:31.741	16
3	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	1:31.447	1:30.912	1:31.778	16
4	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	1:31.889	1:31.652	1:31.840	20
5	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	1:31.961	1:31.444	1:32.123	20
6	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	1:32.629	1:31.661	1:32.476	22
7	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	1:32.594	1:31.783	1:32.478	23
8	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	1:32.381	1:31.859	1:32.501	22
9	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	1:32.446	1:31.843	1:32.570	22
10	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	1:31.587	1:31.185	1:33.833	12
11	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	1:32.117	1:31.978	—	13
12	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	1:32.173	1:31.996	—	12
13	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	1:32.378	1:32.010	—	13
14	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	1:32.674	1:32.221	—	12
15	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	1:32.793	1:32.451	—	12
16	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	1:32.678	1:32.838	—	11
17	7	Jenson Button	Honda	1:32.983	—	—	6
18	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	1:33.038	—	—	6
19	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	1:33.148	—	—	6
20	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	1:33.151	—	—	6
21	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	1:34.500	—	—	9
22	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	1:35.940	—	—	6

What happened in the 2007 European Grand Prix?

Rain struck almost immediately. Markus Winkelhock’s switch to wet tyres before the start propelled the Spyker into the lead, while Kimi Räikkönen slid past the pit entrance and had to complete another lap on dry tyres. Several cars aquaplaned off at Turn 1, Lewis Hamilton among them. He kept his engine running and was lifted back onto the track, before the race was red-flagged in the dangerous conditions.

Markus Winkelhock led the restart but lost ground on full wets as the circuit improved, and later retired with hydraulic trouble. Felipe Massa established the lead from Fernando Alonso, while Kimi Räikkönen also retired with a mechanical problem. Lewis Hamilton’s early gamble on dry tyres after the restart cost further time, leaving him chasing a recovery outside the leading group.

Fresh rain near the finish changed the contest again. Fernando Alonso caught Felipe Massa and passed around the outside of Turn 5, the pair making contact before the McLaren pulled clear to win. Mark Webber held off Alexander Wurz for third, followed by David Coulthard, Nick Heidfeld, Robert Kubica and Heikki Kovalainen. Lewis Hamilton finished ninth, allowing Fernando Alonso to cut deeply into his championship advantage.

After the race, Lewis Hamilton headed the drivers’ standings with 70 points, followed by Fernando Alonso on 68. McLaren led the constructors’ table on 138, with Ferrari on 111.

2007 European Grand Prix race results

The 2007 European Grand Prix was held on 22 July 2007, with a scheduled start of 14:00 local time.

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Laps	Time / Retired	Pts.
1	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	60	2:06:26.358	10
2	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	60	+8.155	8
3	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	60	+1:05.674	6
4	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	60	+1:05.937	5
5	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	60	+1:13.656	4
6	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	60	+1:20.298	3
7	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	60	+1:22.415	2
8	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	59	+1 lap	1
9	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	59	+1 lap	0
10	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	59	+1 lap	0
11	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	59	+1 lap	0
12	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	59	+1 lap	0
13	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	59	+1 lap	0
Ret	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	34	Hydraulics	0
Ret	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	19	Hydraulics	0
Ret	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	18	Collision	0
Ret	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	13	Hydraulics	0
Ret	7	Jenson Button	Honda	2	Spun off	0
Ret	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	2	Spun off	0
Ret	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	2	Spun off	0
Ret	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	2	Spun off	0
Ret	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	2	Spun off	0

Markus Winkelhock started the race from the pitlane.

2007 European Grand Prix Fastest Laps

Pos.	No.	Driver	Team	Lap	Time	Avg. Speed
1	5	Felipe Massa	Ferrari	34	1:32.853	199.592
2	1	Fernando Alonso	McLaren	35	1:33.231	198.783
3	2	Lewis Hamilton	McLaren	29	1:33.401	198.421
4	6	Kimi Räikkönen	Ferrari	32	1:33.904	197.359
5	17	Alexander Wurz	Williams	33	1:34.235	196.665
6	14	David Coulthard	Red Bull Racing	48	1:34.316	196.496
7	9	Nick Heidfeld	BMW Sauber	49	1:34.354	196.417
8	15	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing	29	1:34.449	196.220
9	10	Robert Kubica	BMW Sauber	49	1:34.451	196.216
10	12	Jarno Trulli	Toyota	29	1:34.496	196.122
11	4	Heikki Kovalainen	Renault	48	1:34.603	195.900
12	3	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault	48	1:34.893	195.302
13	23	Anthony Davidson	Super Aguri	46	1:35.282	194.504
14	8	Rubens Barrichello	Honda	37	1:35.632	193.792
15	11	Ralf Schumacher	Toyota	18	1:36.195	192.658
16	22	Takuma Sato	Super Aguri	18	1:37.401	190.273
17	21	Markus Winkelhock	Spyker	13	1:42.783	180.309
18	7	Jenson Button	Honda	2	2:20.041	132.338
19	20	Adrian Sutil	Spyker	2	2:25.798	127.112
20	16	Nico Rosberg	Williams	2	2:50.950	108.410
21	19	Scott Speed	Toro Rosso	2	3:01.900	101.884
22	18	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Toro Rosso	2	3:22.300	91.610

Only drivers with a recorded lap time appear. Average speeds are in km/h. No fastest-lap bonus point was awarded.

2007 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings

Championship standings after the 2007 European Grand Prix.

2007 Post-Race F1 Drivers' Championship Standings

POS	Driver	Nationality	Car	PTS
1	Lewis Hamilton	British	McLaren	70
2	Fernando Alonso	Spanish	McLaren	68
3	Felipe Massa	Brazilian	Ferrari	59
4	Kimi Räikkönen	Finnish	Ferrari	52
5	Nick Heidfeld	German	BMW Sauber	36
6	Robert Kubica	Polish	BMW Sauber	24
7	Giancarlo Fisichella	Italian	Renault	17
8	Heikki Kovalainen	Finnish	Renault	15
9	Alexander Wurz	Austrian	Williams	13
10	Mark Webber	Australian	Red Bull Racing	8
11	David Coulthard	British	Red Bull Racing	8
12	Jarno Trulli	Italian	Toyota	7
13	Nico Rosberg	German	Williams	5
14	Takuma Sato	Japanese	Super Aguri	4
15	Ralf Schumacher	German	Toyota	2
16	Jenson Button	British	Honda	1
17	Sebastian Vettel	German	BMW Sauber	1
18	Rubens Barrichello	Brazilian	Honda	0
19	Scott Speed	American	Toro Rosso	0
20	Anthony Davidson	British	Super Aguri	0
21	Adrian Sutil	German	Spyker	0
22	Christijan Albers	Dutch	Spyker	0
23	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Italian	Toro Rosso	0
–	Markus Winkelhock	German	Spyker	0

2007 Post-Race F1 Constructors' Championship Standings

POS	Car	PTS
1	McLaren	138
2	Ferrari	111
3	BMW Sauber	61
4	Renault	32
5	Williams	18
6	Red Bull Racing	16
7	Toyota	9
8	Super Aguri	4
9	Honda	1
10	Toro Rosso	0
11	Spyker	0

2007 Formula 1 Race Calendar

Round	Grand Prix	Circuit	Date
1	2007 Australian Grand Prix	Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne	18 March
2	2007 Malaysian Grand Prix	Sepang International Circuit, Sepang	8 April
3	2007 Bahrain Grand Prix	Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir	15 April
4	2007 Spanish Grand Prix	Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló	13 May
5	2007 Monaco Grand Prix	Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo	27 May
6	2007 Canadian Grand Prix	Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montréal	10 June
7	2007 United States Grand Prix	Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis	17 June
8	2007 French Grand Prix	Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, Magny-Cours	1 July
9	2007 British Grand Prix	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone	8 July
10	2007 European Grand Prix	Nürburgring, Nürburg	22 July
11	2007 Hungarian Grand Prix	Hungaroring, Mogyoród	5 August
12	2007 Turkish Grand Prix	Istanbul Park, Istanbul	26 August
13	2007 Italian Grand Prix	Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza	9 September
14	2007 Belgian Grand Prix	Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot	16 September
15	2007 Japanese Grand Prix	Fuji Speedway, Oyama	30 September
16	2007 Chinese Grand Prix	Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai	7 October
17	2007 Brazilian Grand Prix	Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo	21 October