All is not lost

The ice man might have lost the championship battle to Alonso, but he most certainly is not losing out on post-season awards. Kimi Raikkonen has just been named "Driver of the year" by F1 Racing magazine, and has also been presented the "International Racing Driver" award by Autosport Awards.

To add icing to the cake, McLaren-Mercedes has been elected 'team of the year' and the MP4-20 from the Woking stables named as 'car of the year' with a thumping 41.3% of those polled calling it as 'among the greatest ever'.

Among other awards, Renault's chief technician Pat Symonds won the 'John Bolster' award for a lifetime award of technical excellence. Tiago Monteiro, the Jordan driver was named as 'Rookie' of the year. McLaren-Mercedes who lost out to Renault on both counts (Driver's and Construtor's) romped home in style, gathering six of the fourteen awards presented.

"It could have been better this season but it could have been an awful lot worse...so I am happy", said Kimi Raikkonen.

Undoubtably, one of the Finn's best years, leaving audience wonder what Kimi's points tally would have been, had it not been for engine failures, suspension trip-ups and mechanical mayhem!

Meanwhile, Flavio and his blue eyed boy Alonso received their awards at the FIA pricegiving ceremony held at Satte des Etoiles, Monaco.

Alonso who is now officially the FIA World Champion said, "This title has taught me that the most important thing in life is to be happy. Today I really am."

Who ever got the bizzare idea of suspending a Renault F1 car on the stage to 'saute' the team's performance!