Bahrain delivers an exhilarating start
Three things made me think at the end of yesterday’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The first race of a long season does not always prove to be indicative of the way in which a season will pan out. So many things happen during the course of a season that one hardly ever remembers what happened at the first race when they hand out the championship silver in October. But, unusually, this race provided all the pointers I needed to make early judgments.
First, world champion, Fernando Alonso, has got used to the fact that he is the world champion. His body language last year suggested that all this championship stuff was new to him. He at times seemed uncomfortable about all the attention he was getting; uncertain what to do, even. It was almost as though he was saying to himself “blimey, what am I doing sitting in Michael Schumacher’s chair?” Six months have been sufficient for Alonso to grow used to the idea of being world champion. Where he seemed diffident when facing a barrage of journalists yelling questions and snapping photographs, he now looks serene, confident, happy. He seems like a world champion, in other words. He has even acquired a signature performance. Michael Schumacher’s signature performance is a leap on the top of the podium accompanied by a punch skywards. Fernando Alonso steps out of his cockpit, stands on the nose of his Renault, puts his hands on his hips and arches his back in a duck-like motion first left and then right. It is an announcement. He is saying “look at me, I am world champion and I have nailed this race!”
The second thought provoking thing was perhaps the most important thing that happened in Bahrain yesterday. Quietly and with no fuss, Kimi Raikkonen proved himself to be the consummate overtaking genius. His achievement yesterday should send shivers of fear down the backs of every other world championship contender. Having suffered the misery of a horrible suspension failure in qualifying on Saturday, the Finn had to begin proceedings yesterday from the back of the grid. By the time the chequered flag came down, he had fought his way up to third place and was only seconds behind the winner. along the way Raikkonen saw off not only Jenson Button – who finished fourth – but his own team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya. If the Mclaren stays reliable (and this is a huge if) Kimi Raikkonen could walk away with this year’s title without having to sweat a great deal. Beware Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Schumacher for the ice man cometh!
The third thing to stir one’s concentration was the return of the old master, Michael Schumacher. I repeatedly ask myself how Schumacher motivates himself. Before Schumacher only one man had managed to win the F1 world championship five times. Schumacher has seven world titles under his belt. Before this weekend the only F1 record that Schumacher had not broken was the long standing phenomenal achievement of Ayrton Senna in scoring 65 pole positions. In a stunning demonstration of his ability to master rule-changes, Michael Shumacher took his 65th pole position on Saturday. If it was not for the outstanding efficiency of the Renault pit-crew in getting Fernando Alonso’s car re-fuelled and re-booted, Schumacher would have won yesterday’s race. As it happens, he does not seem unduly perturbed about having had to settle for second place. He knows that the Ferrari is back in business and there are still eighteen races to go. There is no doubt about this: Michael Schumacher wants to leave motor racing on a high. Coasting to the end of perhaps his last year in Formula One is simply not an option for the German. He may be the oldest driver in the paddock but there is good reason for the younger chaps to look out.
The most shocking thing for me was the performance of twenty-year old rookie, Nico Rosberg. It certainly looks like there is another flying Finn in the making. He was not born when his father, Keke Rosberg, became F1 world champion in 1982 but he seems to have inherited his father’s abilities. His drive yesterday was simply superb. If he had not made a mistake at the first corner and lost his nose-cone (he is, after all, a rookie – remember Raikkonen a couple of year’s ago) Rosberg could easily have made it to the podium. To achieve the fastest lap and manage two points on your maiden race is an achievement worthy of any champion. His father must be beaming with pride. I really must visit Finland. What is it about this icy northern European country that makes its denizens such outstanding drivers? As a proportion of the population, Finland is by far the most successful motor-racing country. Whether it is the international rally circuit, or F1 racing, Finnish names keep cropping up. There must be something in the water up there.
The verdict of yesterday’s excellent race was that this year’s championship battle will be very close. Two chaps have demonstrated themselves to be equal to Michael Schumacher: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. It is too early to say who has the best possible chance of winning the 2006 championship crown but I can say this,though: it will be one of Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen.
Malaysia follows in a week’s time. It’s going to be exciting…
Gitau
13 March 2006
First, world champion, Fernando Alonso, has got used to the fact that he is the world champion. His body language last year suggested that all this championship stuff was new to him. He at times seemed uncomfortable about all the attention he was getting; uncertain what to do, even. It was almost as though he was saying to himself “blimey, what am I doing sitting in Michael Schumacher’s chair?” Six months have been sufficient for Alonso to grow used to the idea of being world champion. Where he seemed diffident when facing a barrage of journalists yelling questions and snapping photographs, he now looks serene, confident, happy. He seems like a world champion, in other words. He has even acquired a signature performance. Michael Schumacher’s signature performance is a leap on the top of the podium accompanied by a punch skywards. Fernando Alonso steps out of his cockpit, stands on the nose of his Renault, puts his hands on his hips and arches his back in a duck-like motion first left and then right. It is an announcement. He is saying “look at me, I am world champion and I have nailed this race!”
The second thought provoking thing was perhaps the most important thing that happened in Bahrain yesterday. Quietly and with no fuss, Kimi Raikkonen proved himself to be the consummate overtaking genius. His achievement yesterday should send shivers of fear down the backs of every other world championship contender. Having suffered the misery of a horrible suspension failure in qualifying on Saturday, the Finn had to begin proceedings yesterday from the back of the grid. By the time the chequered flag came down, he had fought his way up to third place and was only seconds behind the winner. along the way Raikkonen saw off not only Jenson Button – who finished fourth – but his own team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya. If the Mclaren stays reliable (and this is a huge if) Kimi Raikkonen could walk away with this year’s title without having to sweat a great deal. Beware Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya and Michael Schumacher for the ice man cometh!
The third thing to stir one’s concentration was the return of the old master, Michael Schumacher. I repeatedly ask myself how Schumacher motivates himself. Before Schumacher only one man had managed to win the F1 world championship five times. Schumacher has seven world titles under his belt. Before this weekend the only F1 record that Schumacher had not broken was the long standing phenomenal achievement of Ayrton Senna in scoring 65 pole positions. In a stunning demonstration of his ability to master rule-changes, Michael Shumacher took his 65th pole position on Saturday. If it was not for the outstanding efficiency of the Renault pit-crew in getting Fernando Alonso’s car re-fuelled and re-booted, Schumacher would have won yesterday’s race. As it happens, he does not seem unduly perturbed about having had to settle for second place. He knows that the Ferrari is back in business and there are still eighteen races to go. There is no doubt about this: Michael Schumacher wants to leave motor racing on a high. Coasting to the end of perhaps his last year in Formula One is simply not an option for the German. He may be the oldest driver in the paddock but there is good reason for the younger chaps to look out.
The most shocking thing for me was the performance of twenty-year old rookie, Nico Rosberg. It certainly looks like there is another flying Finn in the making. He was not born when his father, Keke Rosberg, became F1 world champion in 1982 but he seems to have inherited his father’s abilities. His drive yesterday was simply superb. If he had not made a mistake at the first corner and lost his nose-cone (he is, after all, a rookie – remember Raikkonen a couple of year’s ago) Rosberg could easily have made it to the podium. To achieve the fastest lap and manage two points on your maiden race is an achievement worthy of any champion. His father must be beaming with pride. I really must visit Finland. What is it about this icy northern European country that makes its denizens such outstanding drivers? As a proportion of the population, Finland is by far the most successful motor-racing country. Whether it is the international rally circuit, or F1 racing, Finnish names keep cropping up. There must be something in the water up there.
The verdict of yesterday’s excellent race was that this year’s championship battle will be very close. Two chaps have demonstrated themselves to be equal to Michael Schumacher: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. It is too early to say who has the best possible chance of winning the 2006 championship crown but I can say this,though: it will be one of Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso or Kimi Raikkonen.
Malaysia follows in a week’s time. It’s going to be exciting…
Gitau
13 March 2006
posted by Gitau at 12:07 pm
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