Hamilton's 2007 title bid hits the rocks

Lewis Hamilton’s chances to win the 2007 Formula One world title started to unravel on this date at the Chinese Grand Prix when the rookie beached his McLaren on the gravel located on pit entry of the Shanghai International Circuit.

Having led from pole position in wet conditions, Hamilton started to suffer from extreme tyre wear on a drying track. Despite the Briton slipping behind Raikkonen on worn-out rubber, his team still elected against pitting him earlier than planned. Hamilton was still on course to score valuable points and actually seal the crown until his race-ending trip through the now infamous gravel trap.