Apropos the earlier post (I know the stats-shy may have stopped reading by now), I came across some new information on the same at http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/. The most shocking of all was that Eddie Irvine would have been the champion in 1999 had the new points system been in effect. Actually, it should not be that surprising, considering Mika Hakkinen had won it over Irvine by a mere 2 points. Under the news points system, Irvine would have won by a 6-point margin.
Michael Schumacher may have won in 1997 with the new points system, but he also would have lost the 1994 title to Damon Hill. Under the old points, Schumacher piped Hill by a solitary point; the new one would have seen Hill being World Champion by a good 8 points.
Other statistical highlights courtesy http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/statistics/
1992- Michael Schumacher's first season was so impressive that, had the 2003-specification points system been used that year, he would have tied for second with Riccardo Patrese.
1995 - Had the 2003 points system been used in 1995, Johnny Herbert would have been third overall, instead of David Coulthard.
1996 - To highlight how the post-2003 points system rewards consistent finishing in the lower places more than occasional finishes in the higher places, compare Jean Alesi and Michael Schumacher. Alesi (no wins) trailled Schumacher (three wins) by 12 points in real life, but under post-2003 points he would have been just two points behind.
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Showing posts with label Formula One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Formula One. Show all posts
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Sunday, May 27, 2007
F-1: Monaco - The Inflection Point
A bizarre event. The man who replaced Michael Schumacher does an accidental replay of what the German ‘deliberately’ did a year ago. To top it, Kimi Raikonnen’s Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa nearly dislodged the Finn from the stationary position he had got comfortable in. Yes, you could be forgiven for thinking this was a ‘Salute to Schumi’ from Ferrari at Formula 1’s glitziest Grand Prix.
Massa qualified third, while Raikonnen’s brush with the surreal pushed him back to 15th. Meanwhile, on the front row a two-time defending champion managed to pip the rookie who is seen capable enough by many to win the World Championship. A lot of talk going into this weekend was about the successes McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has had at Monaco, albeit at lesser levels of motor sport.
However, teammate Fernando Alonso has once again out-qualified the Briton (a 4-1 record this season so far). But Hamilton will surely be looking to outdo the Spaniard at the start in Monaco. And a win at Monaco would definitely be one of the defining moments of world sport this year.
It is heartening to see that the BMWs have been pushed back to the fourth row, followed by the Hondas in Row 5. Giancarlo Fisichella in the Renault, Nico Rosberg in the Williams and Red Bull’s Mark Webber fill the slots 4-6. Hopefully, Monaco shall mark the inflection point for a few teams and their drivers.
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Massa qualified third, while Raikonnen’s brush with the surreal pushed him back to 15th. Meanwhile, on the front row a two-time defending champion managed to pip the rookie who is seen capable enough by many to win the World Championship. A lot of talk going into this weekend was about the successes McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton has had at Monaco, albeit at lesser levels of motor sport.
However, teammate Fernando Alonso has once again out-qualified the Briton (a 4-1 record this season so far). But Hamilton will surely be looking to outdo the Spaniard at the start in Monaco. And a win at Monaco would definitely be one of the defining moments of world sport this year.
It is heartening to see that the BMWs have been pushed back to the fourth row, followed by the Hondas in Row 5. Giancarlo Fisichella in the Renault, Nico Rosberg in the Williams and Red Bull’s Mark Webber fill the slots 4-6. Hopefully, Monaco shall mark the inflection point for a few teams and their drivers.
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Monday, April 16, 2007
F1 Season 2007: Catch-22
A friend of mine and an F1 fan at it put it perfectly after yesterday’s race:
CATCH-22 SITUATION OF THE F1 SEASON 2007:
F Alonso 22 points
K Räikkönen 22 points
L Hamilton 22 points.
That’s how the standings look like at the end of the first three races. And yesterday’s winner - Ferrari’s Felipe Massa - is right behind the trio with 17 points in the bag. Interestingly, Massa is the only one out of the above mentioned drivers who raced with the same team last season. Hamilton obviously doesn’t count; he may have raced in McLarens before, but creating history in F1 is an altogether different ballgame.
Some may crib about the two-team tussle at the top, but I am surely not complaining. Other teams may catch up before the season moves to Europe in a month’s time - beginning with Catalunya. However, so far this has been perhaps one of the most exciting starts to a season, with two teams and both their drivers in contention for the top honours. Agreed, one may get a bit bored if the duopoly over podium places continues.
While the TV cameras catch the nail-biting action at the top of the grid, one cannot overlook the fact that the rest of the teams - especially the middle-rung ones - are struggling. BMW is the only exception, with Nick Heidfeld being the only driver outside the top two constructors to have have moved ahead of single digits in the points tally. His teammate Robert Kubica is catching up, scoring his first points of the season at Sakhir.
Similarly, last year’s champions Renault too are off the pace and their rookie Heikki Kovalainen has by no means had the same start to the season as Lewis Hamilton. The Williams and the Toyotas have not done anything special so far. And the less said about the Hondas, the better.
There’s a long wait for fans before the European leg of the season starts. But one thing’s for sure - it will take some catching up for the likes of Heikki Kovalainen and Jenson Button to share the podium with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikonnen.
CATCH-22 SITUATION OF THE F1 SEASON 2007:
F Alonso 22 points
K Räikkönen 22 points
L Hamilton 22 points.
That’s how the standings look like at the end of the first three races. And yesterday’s winner - Ferrari’s Felipe Massa - is right behind the trio with 17 points in the bag. Interestingly, Massa is the only one out of the above mentioned drivers who raced with the same team last season. Hamilton obviously doesn’t count; he may have raced in McLarens before, but creating history in F1 is an altogether different ballgame.
Some may crib about the two-team tussle at the top, but I am surely not complaining. Other teams may catch up before the season moves to Europe in a month’s time - beginning with Catalunya. However, so far this has been perhaps one of the most exciting starts to a season, with two teams and both their drivers in contention for the top honours. Agreed, one may get a bit bored if the duopoly over podium places continues.
While the TV cameras catch the nail-biting action at the top of the grid, one cannot overlook the fact that the rest of the teams - especially the middle-rung ones - are struggling. BMW is the only exception, with Nick Heidfeld being the only driver outside the top two constructors to have have moved ahead of single digits in the points tally. His teammate Robert Kubica is catching up, scoring his first points of the season at Sakhir.
Similarly, last year’s champions Renault too are off the pace and their rookie Heikki Kovalainen has by no means had the same start to the season as Lewis Hamilton. The Williams and the Toyotas have not done anything special so far. And the less said about the Hondas, the better.
There’s a long wait for fans before the European leg of the season starts. But one thing’s for sure - it will take some catching up for the likes of Heikki Kovalainen and Jenson Button to share the podium with Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikonnen.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Malaysian GP: McLaren serves a warning
The 1-2 finish at the Malaysian GP would have come a boost to Ron Dennis and his team. The new drivers for the 'silver and red' outfit this season - Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton - have come good with podium finishes in the first two GPs of 2007.
Alonso's great start to the season would have been expected. After all, his ability to consistently finish at the top is perhaps the reason why the team signed the two-time defending world champion. However, the team would be particularly pleased with Hamilton's successes. The rookie has had a fabulous start to his F-1 career, and McLaren would be proud that a talented driver like him has come through the team's driver development programme.
What is interesting to note is the consistency shown by the team so far this season. The team has surely put in good work during the winter testing to bring out a car that - even after two races - looks more convincing and reliable than those in the last few seasons.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikonnen must be wondering why did he not have such a car during the 2005 season. Raikonnen, who was at McLaren then, lost out in the title race to Alonso in the Renault. Many believed that Raikonnen deserved the title for his sublime skills and speed, only to be done in by an underperforming car.
But do not rule out Ferrari and Raikonnen yet. Or even Felipe Massa for that matter. After all, Raikonnen was alongside Alonso and Hamilton on the podium at Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. Massa started on pole in Malaysia (refer 'Massa takes pole'.) The prancing horse may have been slightly (very slightly) inconsistent compared to their arch-rivals McLaren, but there's still a long way to go before we can pass judgement on this season's winners.
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Alonso's great start to the season would have been expected. After all, his ability to consistently finish at the top is perhaps the reason why the team signed the two-time defending world champion. However, the team would be particularly pleased with Hamilton's successes. The rookie has had a fabulous start to his F-1 career, and McLaren would be proud that a talented driver like him has come through the team's driver development programme.
What is interesting to note is the consistency shown by the team so far this season. The team has surely put in good work during the winter testing to bring out a car that - even after two races - looks more convincing and reliable than those in the last few seasons.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikonnen must be wondering why did he not have such a car during the 2005 season. Raikonnen, who was at McLaren then, lost out in the title race to Alonso in the Renault. Many believed that Raikonnen deserved the title for his sublime skills and speed, only to be done in by an underperforming car.
But do not rule out Ferrari and Raikonnen yet. Or even Felipe Massa for that matter. After all, Raikonnen was alongside Alonso and Hamilton on the podium at Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur. Massa started on pole in Malaysia (refer 'Massa takes pole'.) The prancing horse may have been slightly (very slightly) inconsistent compared to their arch-rivals McLaren, but there's still a long way to go before we can pass judgement on this season's winners.
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Sunday, April 8, 2007
Massa takes pole
For anyone who assumed that this season is going to be a two-way race, think again. Though the Constructors' Championship looks for a certainty to be decided between McLaren and Ferrari, the Drivers' equivalent is perhaps a three-way affair, between Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikonnen and Fernando Alonso. McLaren rookie Lewis Hamilton - fourth on the grid - may for sure find it tough to stake a claim in his first season, though unexpected things do happen in sport.
After the disappointment in qualifying at Melbourne, Massa bounced back to take pole this time around. Right on his tail are defending champion Alonso and his own team-mate Kimi Raikonnen. Massa, said later at the press conference, " Yes, I'm quite happy. Unfortunately Melbourne didn't end as I had hoped. It ended up that I started at the back but I'm not supposed to start completely last on the grid but here it looks just a little bit different, so I'm just looking forward to having a good race tomorrow."
The disappointment of the day had to be Renault. Both Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovailainen stayed out of the top ten, a worrying sign for Team Principal Flavio Briatore. Renault don't appear to have the car and the talent to take them close to title contention this time around. BMW's Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg in the Williams shored up the top six, with BMW's Robert Kubica in seventh.
The Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher will start eighth and ninth, while Red Bull's Mark Webber is at No. 10. But the action is surely at the top-end of the grid. Kimi Raikonnen's suspect engine managed to make it through qualifying, but will it last the whole race? Also, will Alonso quietly sneak in a win today, upsetting the applecart of the Ferraris?
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After the disappointment in qualifying at Melbourne, Massa bounced back to take pole this time around. Right on his tail are defending champion Alonso and his own team-mate Kimi Raikonnen. Massa, said later at the press conference, " Yes, I'm quite happy. Unfortunately Melbourne didn't end as I had hoped. It ended up that I started at the back but I'm not supposed to start completely last on the grid but here it looks just a little bit different, so I'm just looking forward to having a good race tomorrow."
The disappointment of the day had to be Renault. Both Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovailainen stayed out of the top ten, a worrying sign for Team Principal Flavio Briatore. Renault don't appear to have the car and the talent to take them close to title contention this time around. BMW's Nick Heidfeld and Nico Rosberg in the Williams shored up the top six, with BMW's Robert Kubica in seventh.
The Toyotas of Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher will start eighth and ninth, while Red Bull's Mark Webber is at No. 10. But the action is surely at the top-end of the grid. Kimi Raikonnen's suspect engine managed to make it through qualifying, but will it last the whole race? Also, will Alonso quietly sneak in a win today, upsetting the applecart of the Ferraris?
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Sunday, March 18, 2007
Kimi needs to be alert about Alonso
The first race of the season sent out clear signals: “Ferrari is Red-Hot, though Ice-Cold McLaren is not far behind.” Kimi Raikonnen got off to a great start in a new car and a new season, but so did McLaren Mercedes’ new drivers – the defending champion Fernando Alonso and the debutant Lewis Hamilton. The Ferraris were by far the fastest, and only a gearbox problem and engine-change pushed Raikonnen’s partner Felipe Massa to sixth, a creditable finish considering his Ferrari started the race at the end of the grid.
Lewis Hamilton was definitely the toast of Melbourne; his strong third place finish will only increase the expectations from him, especially from Britons who will finally have another driver to support along with Honda’s Jenson Button. Button, however, will be wondering if Honda can ever provide him with a car that can vie for the championship, after finishing a disappointing 15th. The BMW Saubers also had a good start to the season, with German Nick Heidfeld finishing in fourth. Compatriot Robert Kubica also did well till a gearbox problem forced him to retire on Lap 38.
2006 Constructors Champion Renault had a sluggish start, with the Italian Giancarlo Fischella finishing in fifth and debutant Heikki Kovalainen in tenth. Team boss Flavio Briatore was extremely critical of the Finn’s performance, a race where the promoted test driver made too many mistakes. Toyota’s Jarno Trulli finished ahead of Kovalainen in ninth place, with team-mate Ralf Schumacher rounding up the points table in eighth place. Nico Rosberg placed seventh in his Williams, which has Toyota as its engine-supplier. ‘Comeback Man’ Alexander Wurz’s race was cut short due to damage done to his Williams during an overtaking manoeuvre by Red Bull’s David Coulthard, who fortunately walked away uninjured after going airborne and landing in the gravel.
However, the man to watch is the one who quietly collected points from this race. Raikonnen may have won the race and Hamilton stolen the limelight, but Spain’s double F1 champion Fernando Alonso was the man in between the two, finishing second. It’s true that team-mate Hamilton led him till the final round of pit-stops. But the champion still ended with eight points, from what can be described as an ‘average race.’ The same trait also helped him see off the challenge put forth by Michael Schumacher last year. Kimi Raikonnen - Schumacher’s replacement at Ferrari – may have the best car on the track, but he needs to have consistent finishes in the points to win his first F1 championship, and perhaps add a new chapter to his rivalry with Alonso.
Lewis Hamilton was definitely the toast of Melbourne; his strong third place finish will only increase the expectations from him, especially from Britons who will finally have another driver to support along with Honda’s Jenson Button. Button, however, will be wondering if Honda can ever provide him with a car that can vie for the championship, after finishing a disappointing 15th. The BMW Saubers also had a good start to the season, with German Nick Heidfeld finishing in fourth. Compatriot Robert Kubica also did well till a gearbox problem forced him to retire on Lap 38.
2006 Constructors Champion Renault had a sluggish start, with the Italian Giancarlo Fischella finishing in fifth and debutant Heikki Kovalainen in tenth. Team boss Flavio Briatore was extremely critical of the Finn’s performance, a race where the promoted test driver made too many mistakes. Toyota’s Jarno Trulli finished ahead of Kovalainen in ninth place, with team-mate Ralf Schumacher rounding up the points table in eighth place. Nico Rosberg placed seventh in his Williams, which has Toyota as its engine-supplier. ‘Comeback Man’ Alexander Wurz’s race was cut short due to damage done to his Williams during an overtaking manoeuvre by Red Bull’s David Coulthard, who fortunately walked away uninjured after going airborne and landing in the gravel.
However, the man to watch is the one who quietly collected points from this race. Raikonnen may have won the race and Hamilton stolen the limelight, but Spain’s double F1 champion Fernando Alonso was the man in between the two, finishing second. It’s true that team-mate Hamilton led him till the final round of pit-stops. But the champion still ended with eight points, from what can be described as an ‘average race.’ The same trait also helped him see off the challenge put forth by Michael Schumacher last year. Kimi Raikonnen - Schumacher’s replacement at Ferrari – may have the best car on the track, but he needs to have consistent finishes in the points to win his first F1 championship, and perhaps add a new chapter to his rivalry with Alonso.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Post-Schumacher Syndrome
Even before the lights go off, the 2007 season is set to be a cracker. This despite the absence of Michael Schumacher, the man whose performances made him the sport's global icon following the trail of perhaps a greater legend – the late Ayrton Senna.
Schumi may still be around at the paddocks, and it is certain that no camera is going to miss him. However, the question remains who will be the man to even come close to his record seven world titles. In a glittering career spanning 17 years, Michael broke nearly every record in sight.
The odds are in favour of Kimi Raikonnen ( click here to check odds on Ladbrokes.com) to win this year's championship, however one still cannot discount the current two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, more so for seasons to come. The Spaniard has moved to Mclaren, a team that struggled last season. 'Iceman' Kimi would be hoping Ferrari can provide him what Mclaren could not – a reliable car – which many believe cost him the 2005 World Championship. However, that's the way sport is.
If given a choice, I still see Alonso coming closer to matching up to Schumacher than Kimi. For starters, Kimi seems the kind who will happily retire after two or three wins. Both Kimi and Alonso started their FI careers in 2001, though at 27 Kimi is the older of the two. The 25-year old Alonso is also two steps closer to Schumacher's record, in the process becoming the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.
Coming from a generation that has seen both Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, one cannot be blamed to believe that Alonso could blitz all the records set by Schumacher. For this, he first needs to change the fortunes of Team Mclaren. Fortunately, Alonso has a rookie as team-mate. Lewis Hamilton is by far a better foil for the world champion than a Juan Pablo Montoya. However, Hamilton is a Mclaren product, and he looks set for a long stint with the team.
One doubts if any driver can replicate the work ethic and professionalism shown by Michael Schumacher. The Ferrari team will surely miss him, and Kimi will have a daunting task ahead. Alonso can only benefit if he can work well and build a rapport with Ron Dennis's team.
Alonso needs six world titles to beat Schumi, a daunting task indeed. Even if he wins half that number, he will book his place in F1 history, and probably rightfully share the limelight with fellow greats such as Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.
PS: I am sure if Schumi and Kimi fans could change history, Alonso would still be looking for his first championship. Being a Schumi supporter, I ask all not to start on the tyres and engines that worked in Alonso's favour.
Click to vote - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
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Schumi may still be around at the paddocks, and it is certain that no camera is going to miss him. However, the question remains who will be the man to even come close to his record seven world titles. In a glittering career spanning 17 years, Michael broke nearly every record in sight.
The odds are in favour of Kimi Raikonnen ( click here to check odds on Ladbrokes.com) to win this year's championship, however one still cannot discount the current two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, more so for seasons to come. The Spaniard has moved to Mclaren, a team that struggled last season. 'Iceman' Kimi would be hoping Ferrari can provide him what Mclaren could not – a reliable car – which many believe cost him the 2005 World Championship. However, that's the way sport is.
If given a choice, I still see Alonso coming closer to matching up to Schumacher than Kimi. For starters, Kimi seems the kind who will happily retire after two or three wins. Both Kimi and Alonso started their FI careers in 2001, though at 27 Kimi is the older of the two. The 25-year old Alonso is also two steps closer to Schumacher's record, in the process becoming the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.
Coming from a generation that has seen both Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, one cannot be blamed to believe that Alonso could blitz all the records set by Schumacher. For this, he first needs to change the fortunes of Team Mclaren. Fortunately, Alonso has a rookie as team-mate. Lewis Hamilton is by far a better foil for the world champion than a Juan Pablo Montoya. However, Hamilton is a Mclaren product, and he looks set for a long stint with the team.
One doubts if any driver can replicate the work ethic and professionalism shown by Michael Schumacher. The Ferrari team will surely miss him, and Kimi will have a daunting task ahead. Alonso can only benefit if he can work well and build a rapport with Ron Dennis's team.
Alonso needs six world titles to beat Schumi, a daunting task indeed. Even if he wins half that number, he will book his place in F1 history, and probably rightfully share the limelight with fellow greats such as Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.
PS: I am sure if Schumi and Kimi fans could change history, Alonso would still be looking for his first championship. Being a Schumi supporter, I ask all not to start on the tyres and engines that worked in Alonso's favour.
Click to vote - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
For more on F1, log on to www.konigf1.com.
Trackback - A racing legend retires
The signs looked ominous for Schumacher fans. A second engine problem in as many weeks, a trophy handed over even before the race began. Ferrari fans the world over might have suffered a cardiac arrest during qualifying at Sao Paulo had they not seen the crueller engine-failure endured by the seven-time world champion at the race in Suzuka. Coming into Sao Paulo with a 10-point cushion following Schumacher's retirement at Suzuka while leading, Fernando Alonso looked all but set to become F1 youngest two-time champion. And with Schumacher starting at No. 10 on the grid, one felt it was a race to be added in the F1 records. Perhaps that prompted the organisers to request Pele to hand over a special trophy to MS.
Nico Rosberg may have ruined the day for Williams on Lap 1; Alonso and Renault won the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship, but the day belonged to Ferrari, with Felipe Massa winning in front of an ecstatic home crowd and Schumacher signing off in style, summing up all his energies for the last race of the season, and more importantly of his career.
Massa, the first Brazilian to win on home soil since Ayrton Senna's victory in 1993, had a good start on pole. Michael had an even better one, overtaking Red Bull's Robert Doornbos and fellow German Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber to move ahead to eighth. The next lap he went ahead of his brother Ralf. In the meanwhile, Williams driver Nico Rosberg – who had a great start to the season in his debut race – ended the season in misery for his team - touching the back of team-mate Mark Webber, both cars having to retire.
Misfortune struck Schumacher once again on Lap 9. What seemed a brilliant overtaking manoeuvre to get ahead of Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella at Turn One turned into a disaster, as Schumacher's Ferrari got a puncture in the rear left-tyre. A small touch caused the damage; though many blamed debris on the track, the master could not have erred. An 11-second stop in the pits ensued, and now for sure even the staunchest of believers would have given up on the miracle. Schumacher was relegated to No. 20 on the track, while Alonso was racing along to another podium finish.
A few laps later BMW Sauber was assured fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, with both Toyota cars joining the retirement list. By Lap 18, Schumacher was still at 17, with all cars behind him having retired. But this also egged on the great champion, who by Lap 33 was up to tenth place. Briton Jenson Button also was making a move up, and on Lap 29 went past Kimi Raikonnen, the man who will replace Schumacher at Ferrari.
Alonso moved up to second following a long pit-stop for Mclaren's Pedro De la Rosa, on a one-stop strategy. Schumacher raced up to eighth, focussed on clinching the Constructors' for Ferrari, which still seemed up for grabs. No one seemed to have an answer for the German, clocking faster laps than the rest lap after lap. Schumacher entered the pits on Lap 47 in sixth place, and managed to get out in ninth, ahead of De la Rosa. By Lap 51, Schumacher was up to sixth place again, having overtaken his team-mate in Ferrari's glory days, the Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, now driving a Honda. For the sentiment of the occasion, even the critics would have forgotten of the infamous Ferrari team orders of 2002, when Schumacher overtook Barrichello. Today was the day to celebrate the glittering career of Michael Schumacher.
And he gave further proof – not that he needed any- of his genius. The German was once again eyeing the Renault of Fisichella, and by Lap 63, he had his reward, a mistake from the Italian enabled Schumacher slipped into fifth on Turn One. And the cherry on the cake –or career in this case- was the duel with Kimi Raikonnen, Schumacher emerging victorious in a wheel-to-wheel with the Finn at Turn One on Lap 69. With two laps to go, Schumacher could not manage a podium or the Constructors' Championship for Team Ferrari; Massa, Alonso and Button taking the honours.
Celebrations befitting a season-ender followed. Felipe Massa jumped in delight in front of a crowd that had witnessed a great race, while Alonso too enjoyed his second consecutive championship. Schumacher too joined in a brief moment but did not get a chance to uncork the champagne.
Many champions may have been forced to go when they were beyond their best, but no one who saw Schumacher race today would have dared said so. Maybe Jean Todt might have asked Schumacher to reconsider his retirement after the race. The podium perhaps rightly was taken by the talent that remains for the seasons to come. Surely, the Alonsos, Buttons and Massas will have many more podiums to come. But they also had the honour of racing alongside perhaps the sport's greatest living legend, a man who – in spite of all the controversies that have dogged him – quietly receded into the background that day, leaving his supporters to savour a career of greatness.
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Nico Rosberg may have ruined the day for Williams on Lap 1; Alonso and Renault won the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship, but the day belonged to Ferrari, with Felipe Massa winning in front of an ecstatic home crowd and Schumacher signing off in style, summing up all his energies for the last race of the season, and more importantly of his career.
Massa, the first Brazilian to win on home soil since Ayrton Senna's victory in 1993, had a good start on pole. Michael had an even better one, overtaking Red Bull's Robert Doornbos and fellow German Nick Heidfeld in the BMW Sauber to move ahead to eighth. The next lap he went ahead of his brother Ralf. In the meanwhile, Williams driver Nico Rosberg – who had a great start to the season in his debut race – ended the season in misery for his team - touching the back of team-mate Mark Webber, both cars having to retire.
Misfortune struck Schumacher once again on Lap 9. What seemed a brilliant overtaking manoeuvre to get ahead of Renault's Giancarlo Fisichella at Turn One turned into a disaster, as Schumacher's Ferrari got a puncture in the rear left-tyre. A small touch caused the damage; though many blamed debris on the track, the master could not have erred. An 11-second stop in the pits ensued, and now for sure even the staunchest of believers would have given up on the miracle. Schumacher was relegated to No. 20 on the track, while Alonso was racing along to another podium finish.
A few laps later BMW Sauber was assured fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, with both Toyota cars joining the retirement list. By Lap 18, Schumacher was still at 17, with all cars behind him having retired. But this also egged on the great champion, who by Lap 33 was up to tenth place. Briton Jenson Button also was making a move up, and on Lap 29 went past Kimi Raikonnen, the man who will replace Schumacher at Ferrari.
Alonso moved up to second following a long pit-stop for Mclaren's Pedro De la Rosa, on a one-stop strategy. Schumacher raced up to eighth, focussed on clinching the Constructors' for Ferrari, which still seemed up for grabs. No one seemed to have an answer for the German, clocking faster laps than the rest lap after lap. Schumacher entered the pits on Lap 47 in sixth place, and managed to get out in ninth, ahead of De la Rosa. By Lap 51, Schumacher was up to sixth place again, having overtaken his team-mate in Ferrari's glory days, the Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, now driving a Honda. For the sentiment of the occasion, even the critics would have forgotten of the infamous Ferrari team orders of 2002, when Schumacher overtook Barrichello. Today was the day to celebrate the glittering career of Michael Schumacher.
And he gave further proof – not that he needed any- of his genius. The German was once again eyeing the Renault of Fisichella, and by Lap 63, he had his reward, a mistake from the Italian enabled Schumacher slipped into fifth on Turn One. And the cherry on the cake –or career in this case- was the duel with Kimi Raikonnen, Schumacher emerging victorious in a wheel-to-wheel with the Finn at Turn One on Lap 69. With two laps to go, Schumacher could not manage a podium or the Constructors' Championship for Team Ferrari; Massa, Alonso and Button taking the honours.
Celebrations befitting a season-ender followed. Felipe Massa jumped in delight in front of a crowd that had witnessed a great race, while Alonso too enjoyed his second consecutive championship. Schumacher too joined in a brief moment but did not get a chance to uncork the champagne.
Many champions may have been forced to go when they were beyond their best, but no one who saw Schumacher race today would have dared said so. Maybe Jean Todt might have asked Schumacher to reconsider his retirement after the race. The podium perhaps rightly was taken by the talent that remains for the seasons to come. Surely, the Alonsos, Buttons and Massas will have many more podiums to come. But they also had the honour of racing alongside perhaps the sport's greatest living legend, a man who – in spite of all the controversies that have dogged him – quietly receded into the background that day, leaving his supporters to savour a career of greatness.
Click to vote - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
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Monday, February 26, 2007
Poll - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
With the teams launching and testing new cars, the 2007 F1 season does not seem too far away. Kimi has moved to Ferrari, and Alonso to McLaren. Will this season see the end of the Renault reign and another Ferrari-Mclaren duel? Lets wait and watch.
Click to vote - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
Click to vote - Who will be F1 World Champion this year?
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