American thrills
Ferrari own the United States Grand Prix. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway should be re-christened Circuit-Ferrari. Such was the Ferrari dominance this past weekend that the other teams seemed like mere spectators. I emphasise Ferrari rather than either of the team's two drivers, Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa, because Saturday's pole and yesterday's win was all about the team.
Felipe Massa got the jump on pole-setter, Michael Schumacher, at the start of yesterday's race. He then outmatched his team-leader to such an extent that Ferrari were forced to "manage" the win for the seven times world champion. Massa was called into the pits at a strategic moment so as to allow the German his day in the sun. Any pretence that this was not about team orders is deluded. There would be no merit whatsoever for Ferrari in allowing Massa to win when there is an eighth world championship at stake for the team's most expensive asset. After failing to do it in Canada, Michael Schumacher simply had to win yesterday. He did so and chalked up yet another world record in the effort. He is now the first man in history to have won five races - of any series - at the world famous Old Brickyard.
The Brickyard did what it does best and wrecked more than half of the cars that started yesterday's Grand Prix. The carnage was pure drama. The most bizarre moment for me was watching former Indy 500 winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, launch his car into the back of the McLaren of his team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen. Behaviour like that is not written into the employment contract at McLaren. The resultant collateral damage was spectacular. Jenson Button was sucked into the mess. So were Nick Heidfeld, Mark Webber, Scott Speed, Christian Klien and Frank Montagny. I think Chipo is right. Perhaps all Montoya wants is to make babies and play with them in his playground instead of driving cars fast round a race-track. This is not the way to apply for a job in 2007. The primary rule at McLaren is "never ever take out your own team-mate". Perhaps not, though. I always thought McLaren to be the wrong choice of team for the fiery Colombian. The team just doesn't suit his temperament. The look of thunder on the face of Ron Dennis said it all. McLaren and Montoya cannot wait to be rid of each other. Neither is happy.
It was surprising to see Fernando Alonso's lack of pace. Something was not quite right with his car's set-up yesterday - or perhaps he just does not like Indianapolis (as James Allen suggested, maybe Indianapolis is to Alonso what Austria's A1 ring has always been to Schumacher: unwinnable). Alonso did well to come in fifth but suffered the heart-stopping realisation that Michael Schumacher is now catching up with him . The points deficit has now been reduced to nineteen points. The confidence with which Schumacher took yesterday's victory should be of some concern. Most mortals would be alarmed (and, as we know, Schumacher is not mortal) about this. We are about to begin to see whether there are any chinks in Alonso's formidable mental armour. It is crucial that he does not allow himself to get rattled by the German. That's Schumacher's signature ability: unnerve your opponent, make him panic; his mistakes will lead you to the championship. For the first time this season I am worried. Anything is possible with Ferrari. Anything. I wouldn't even rule out the odd dirty trick…
A good race yesterday was psychologically crucial. After last year's shenanigans, Formula One had to step up to the plate and deliver. It did so resoundingly. Americans have a lot of racing in their big country. It is mostly done on oval circuits where plenty of overtaking action characterises a motor race. It is constant wheel to wheel action - not the sometimes processional dullness one gets in Formula One. If yesterday's race had been crap, there was a chance that there would no longer be a viable case for a US Grand Prix because the Americans would simply not turn up. As it happened, there seems little doubt that the event is firmly cemented in next year's calendar and, I am sure, many more to follow.
With nine races to go it is mathematically possible for Fernando Alonso to lose the world championship. And this is the point. If Alonso is not crowned world champion at the end of this season it will be a world championship which he lost rather than one another driver won. Renault's and Michelin's home race beckons in a fortnight. They need to keep their nerve. For France is another of those terrifying places - Michael Schumacher has won the French Grand Prix seven times….
In a fortnight's time, Germany will have won the world cup, England will have stopped crying and the world will have regained its sanity. I can't wait!
Gitau
3 July 2006
Felipe Massa got the jump on pole-setter, Michael Schumacher, at the start of yesterday's race. He then outmatched his team-leader to such an extent that Ferrari were forced to "manage" the win for the seven times world champion. Massa was called into the pits at a strategic moment so as to allow the German his day in the sun. Any pretence that this was not about team orders is deluded. There would be no merit whatsoever for Ferrari in allowing Massa to win when there is an eighth world championship at stake for the team's most expensive asset. After failing to do it in Canada, Michael Schumacher simply had to win yesterday. He did so and chalked up yet another world record in the effort. He is now the first man in history to have won five races - of any series - at the world famous Old Brickyard.
The Brickyard did what it does best and wrecked more than half of the cars that started yesterday's Grand Prix. The carnage was pure drama. The most bizarre moment for me was watching former Indy 500 winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, launch his car into the back of the McLaren of his team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen. Behaviour like that is not written into the employment contract at McLaren. The resultant collateral damage was spectacular. Jenson Button was sucked into the mess. So were Nick Heidfeld, Mark Webber, Scott Speed, Christian Klien and Frank Montagny. I think Chipo is right. Perhaps all Montoya wants is to make babies and play with them in his playground instead of driving cars fast round a race-track. This is not the way to apply for a job in 2007. The primary rule at McLaren is "never ever take out your own team-mate". Perhaps not, though. I always thought McLaren to be the wrong choice of team for the fiery Colombian. The team just doesn't suit his temperament. The look of thunder on the face of Ron Dennis said it all. McLaren and Montoya cannot wait to be rid of each other. Neither is happy.
It was surprising to see Fernando Alonso's lack of pace. Something was not quite right with his car's set-up yesterday - or perhaps he just does not like Indianapolis (as James Allen suggested, maybe Indianapolis is to Alonso what Austria's A1 ring has always been to Schumacher: unwinnable). Alonso did well to come in fifth but suffered the heart-stopping realisation that Michael Schumacher is now catching up with him . The points deficit has now been reduced to nineteen points. The confidence with which Schumacher took yesterday's victory should be of some concern. Most mortals would be alarmed (and, as we know, Schumacher is not mortal) about this. We are about to begin to see whether there are any chinks in Alonso's formidable mental armour. It is crucial that he does not allow himself to get rattled by the German. That's Schumacher's signature ability: unnerve your opponent, make him panic; his mistakes will lead you to the championship. For the first time this season I am worried. Anything is possible with Ferrari. Anything. I wouldn't even rule out the odd dirty trick…
A good race yesterday was psychologically crucial. After last year's shenanigans, Formula One had to step up to the plate and deliver. It did so resoundingly. Americans have a lot of racing in their big country. It is mostly done on oval circuits where plenty of overtaking action characterises a motor race. It is constant wheel to wheel action - not the sometimes processional dullness one gets in Formula One. If yesterday's race had been crap, there was a chance that there would no longer be a viable case for a US Grand Prix because the Americans would simply not turn up. As it happened, there seems little doubt that the event is firmly cemented in next year's calendar and, I am sure, many more to follow.
With nine races to go it is mathematically possible for Fernando Alonso to lose the world championship. And this is the point. If Alonso is not crowned world champion at the end of this season it will be a world championship which he lost rather than one another driver won. Renault's and Michelin's home race beckons in a fortnight. They need to keep their nerve. For France is another of those terrifying places - Michael Schumacher has won the French Grand Prix seven times….
In a fortnight's time, Germany will have won the world cup, England will have stopped crying and the world will have regained its sanity. I can't wait!
Gitau
3 July 2006
posted by Gitau at 1:11 pm
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