07/05/2006
NEWS STORY
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On the face of it, today's European Grand Prix should be a repeat of the cat-and-mouse game we witnessed at Imola two weeks ago, with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso vying for the roles of Tom and Jerry - the German hoping for some able support from his Brazilian teammate.
However, we learned long ago to always expect the unexpected at this 'Mickey Mouse' track (sorry), so let's not go taking anything for granted.
Though the weather is unlikely to play a key role, unlike in 1999 when Johnny Herbert gave Stewart a surprise win, it is the run to the first corner that could well decide the outcome of the race.
Passing is notoriously difficult here (groan), and therefore it is fair to say that whoever is leading when the field exits the Castrol-S just 650 metres after the start, will probable have the upper hand for the remainder of the afternoon.
Until yesterday's qualifying session, it appeared that Ferrari had the upper hand, the pace discovered at Imola proving to be no flash-in-the-pan. However, we now know that Fernando Alonso's R26 is more than capable of matching the 248. Then again, sitting on the pitwall are two of the best strategists in the business, Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds. Both men came in to play at Imola and both men are keen to get involved again today, consequently, as ever, keep an eye on those fuel loads.
Over the years we've witnessed a number of 'incidents' at the first corner here, so there is still the chance of a major upset just seconds into the race - we refer, of course, to drivers prone to over enthusiasm, drivers such as Massa, Montoya, Ralf and Rosberg.
Though the race is likely to become a two-man affair, with Massa likely riding shotgun for his partner, it would be unwise to write off Raikkonen or even the Hondas, though Jenson Button has already dismissed any hopes of a surprise (first) victory. Furthermore, at a circuit famous for its lack of overtaking opportunities, it's worth watching how drivers deal with the king of the mobile chicanes, Jarno Trulli, who starts seventh on the grid.
Although the World Championship (before today) is only four races old, it should be noted that Alonso already enjoys a 15-point lead. Therefore, considering the points system, which doesn't exactly reward 'going for the win', not to mention the bullet-proof reliability of the Renault, it won't be too long before the Spaniard can start making room on his mantelpiece for that second drivers' trophy. Which, in all honesty, following several years of 'red washes' would be totally in the best interest of the sport.
As the cars make their way to the grid the sun is shining, with hardly a cloud in the sky. The air temperature is 20 degrees C, and that track temperature is 38 degrees.
As the field heads off on the parade lap Alonso appears to stall, just it's simply a minor glitch, he's soon heading the pack around the German track.
It's almost a sea of red, the fans wave their flags and sound their klaxons, their hero is back in winning mode.
Alonso takes his place on the grid, the rest of the cars take their places.
Alonso gets away cleanly, while Massa appears to have the3 edge over Michael, however the Brazilian yields at the first corner. At the first corner there's a bit of a misunderstanding, resulting in damage to Liuzzi's car.
At the end of the first lap Alonso leads by 0.5s, while Sato is up to fourteenth. Elsewhere, as Coulthard pits, having hit Liuzzi at the first corner, the Italian is stranded out on track having suffered a puncture to on of his rear tyres. The safety car is deployed.
The field continues behind the safety car, Alonso leading Michael, Massa, Button, Raikkonen, Trulli, Barrichello, Villeneuve, Heidfeld and Fisichella. Webber is up to twelfth, while Sato has slipped back to fifteenth.
At the end of lap 3, the safety car pulls off, Alonso leads Michael down to the first corner. Meanwhile, Coulthard has retired, clearly suffering the after-affects of that first corner incident.
Raikkonen is all over Button, who made a great start, however, the Englishman is unable to fend off the Finn. Meanwhile, Montoya passes Fisichella to take tenth.
Michael posts fastest lap (33.903), as Massa continues in his wake. Trulli is all over Button, as Barrichello heads a train of three cars - Villeneuve, Heidfeld and Montoya. Elsewhere, Fisichella is pursued by Webber, Klien and Ralf.
Rosberg is hunting down Speed, the German suffering following that engine change.
Alonso posts a 1:33.339, extending his lead to almost a second. Meanwhile, Fisichella is told to "use his revs", since he's in danger of losing eleventh place.
Nick Heidfeld appears to have taken over Trulli's role of 'mobile chicane', the German is heading a queue of five cars.
Michael ups his pace, posting a new fastest lap (33.066), and closing to within 0.8s of Alonso. Massa is now 1.8s down on his teammate, but 3.1s clear of Raikkonen, who has a 4s advantage over Button. Montoya is all over the back of Heidfeld, having built a 1s advantage over Fisichella.
Surprisingly, Rosberg is unable to make an impression on Speed, while Webber who is under pressure from Klien, is closing in on Fisichella. That said, the Australian's race is over, he goes wide having appeared to suffer another hydraulic problem.
As is so often the case, drivers appear to be waiting for the pit stops rather than making a move on track. This of course doesn't make for exciting racing from the spectator's point of view.
15 laps completed and Alonso leads Michael, Massa, Raikkonen, Button, Trulli, Barrichello, Villeneuve, Heidfeld and Montoya.
A new fastest lap from Michael (32.794), as he ups the pace, closing to within 0.6s of the leading Renault. Elsewhere, Montoya, Fisichella and Klien are running in Heidfeld's wake.
At the end of lap 17 Alonso pits, as does Massa. The Spaniard has his front wing adjusted. The Spaniard rejoins in fourth, while Massa is sixth.
The Ferrari crew is back in the pitlane, as Michael Schumacher stops next time around. 7.9s later the German is heading down the pitlane, complete with new tyres, rejoining the race behind his Spanish rival.
Therefore, after 19 laps, Raikkonen leads Button by 9.9s, with Alonso 0.9s behind the Englishman. Michael is fourth, ahead of Massa, Trulli, Barrichello, Villeneuve, Heidfeld and Montoya.
As Barrichello pits, Button is pursued by Alonso and Michael, setting up the prospect of an intriguing battle.
That said, next time around the Englishman pits, however, there are no repeats of the Imola debacle, no lollipops hitting him on the head, no broken fuel lines. Villeneuve pits as does Klien.
Raikkonen now leads Alonso by 12.6s, with Michael 0.6s behind.
At the end of lap 22 Heidfeld pits, with race leader Raikkonen stopping next time around. Albers and Montagny also pit.
Raikkonen rejoins behind Massa, as Alonso leads Michael by 0.8s.
The first four have all pitted, while the next four - Trulli, Montoya, Fisichella and Ralf - have yet to stop.
Michael's pace appears to have slowed, he's now 2.1s down on Alonso. Elsewhere, Trulli pits, as do Monteiro and Sato.
At the end of lap 27, Fisichella finally pits, rejoining the race ahead of Jarno Trulli. Next time around it's Montoya's turn to stop. Ralf and Rosberg are the only drivers that haven't stopped yet.
The Colombian rejoins the race almost alongside Fisichella, the Italian winning out, thereby costing the McLaren driver a place. Elsewhere, Ralf Schumacher pits.
Fisichella is now involved in a thrilling battle with - wait for it - Jacques Villeneuve, with Montoya right behind them. Meanwhile it's all over for Button, who pulls off track shortly after the end of the pitlane. Klien's race is also over, his Red Bull coasts to a halt.
Despite the fact that there is just 0.9s between Alonso and Michael, all eyes are on the battle involving JV and Fisico.
Franck Montagny's debut F1 race comes to a smoky end, the Frenchman pulling his Super Aguri off to the side of the track.
Nico Rosberg, currently running fifth, finally pits, rejoining the race in tenth, ahead of Trulli.
From out of nowhere, Alonso produces a 1:32.871, almost 08s quicker than his pursuer. However, next time around Schumacher responds with a 1:32.544, a new fastest lap.
With 37 laps completed, Alonso and Michael are trading fastest laps, both drivers clearly having fun, but equally determined to win.
At the end of lap 38, Alonso pits, the Spaniard stationery for 8.8s. Michael responds with another fastest lap (32.420). It's do or die for the German who goes quickest in the first and second sectors, finally crossing the line at 1:32.099.
It's just like the 'old days' as the German pushes his Ferrari all the way. The pit crew prepare for a stop but Schumacher continues, instead it is his teammate that pits.
The German now has a 25.5s lead over his Spanish rival, but is it enough?
Sure enough, at the end of lap 41, Michael pits. 6.8s later he's heading back up the pitlane, the crowd roars, the klaxons sound, the German is ahead of his championship rival.
Raikkonen leads the race, but has yet to stop. Therefore, all eyes are on second placed Michael, who leads Alonso by 5.8s.
The Finn up his pace, clearly he believes that a podium place is up for grabs.
At the end of lap 44 the McLaren drivers stops, as do Trulli, Speed and Monteiro. Next time around, Barrichello, Ralf, Villeneuve and Fisichella all pit.
With 45 laps completed, and 15 to go, Michael leads Alonso by 7.7s, with Massa third, 32.s ahead of Raikkonen. Montoya is fifth ahead of Rosberg, Barrichello, Ralf, Fisichella and Villeneuve. Montoya almost certainly has to stop again, but does Rosberg?
At the end of lap 46, Takuma Sato drives into the pits and into retirement, though the precise reason is unclear.
Montoya finally pits at the end of lap 48, rejoining in ninth ahead of Villeneuve. As for Rosberg, well he does have to stop again, indeed he pits at the end of lap 50, rejoining in eighth.
Michael leads Alonso by 8.8s, the German seemingly having the race in the bag. Felipe Massa is third, 2.8s down on the Spaniard, but 2.1s ahead of Raikkonen. Barrichello is fifth, giving Honda a little comfort, while Ralf is sixth, ahead of Fisichella, Rosberg, Montoya and Villeneuve.
Raikkonen closes to within 2s of Massa, however, the Brazilian appears to have a little something in hand.
Behind Barrichello, who is over a minute down on Raikkonen, there a whole train of cars. However, the numbers are depleted when Montoya and Ralf retire within a few seconds of one anther. Thus promoting Villeneuve into the points.
Fisichella and Rosberg are running in Barrichello's wake. The German is the quickest of the trio but is unable to make a move.
Raikkonen closes to within 0.7s of Massa, as the Brazilian remains 1.1s behind Alonso.
As Michael begins his final lap, all eyes are on the battle for second, is anyone willing to make a last-ditch attempt? No, is the simple answer, for each driver is fully aware that at this stage of the season such risks are not worth taking.
Consequently, Michael takes victory, finishing 3.7s ahead of Fernando Alonso, who in turn has Massa and Raikkonen both less than a second behind. Rubens Barrichello finishes a distant fifth, followed by Fisichella, Rosberg, Villeneuve, Trulli, Heidfeld, Speed, Monteiro and Albers.
It would be fair to say that on the podium Alonso looked thoroughly peeved, like a man fully aware that he had been beaten by an (on the day) all-together better package. The combination of the Ferrari 248, Bridgestones, Brawn's strategy and Michael's sheer bloody brilliance was a wonder to behold, and all Alonso could do was watch.
That said, as in 2005, the Spaniard has said that needs must he is willing to settle for second rather than top step of the podium. That might have worked last year, especially in light of the advantage the French team had over its rivals, however, a year later, and up against a stronger package, Alonso is going to have push that little bit harder for he is up against one of the most remorseless drivers in F1 history, Michael will never settle for second.
A fitting reward for Felipe, who makes it onto the podium for the first time in his F1 career, the Brazilian having done everything that was needed.
Kimi will be delighted to have added five more points to his tally, but deeply disappointed to know that he was never really anything more than a high-speed spectator this afternoon, enjoying a front-row seat as the two real title protagonists fought it out.
Having out-qualified his teammate for the first time this season, Rubens Barrichello will be feeling a little happier, however, it's clear that Honda has a long, long way to go before it is seriously challenging for podiums, far less wins.
Another day, another average performance from Giancarlo Fisichella and one has to wonder what happened to the Fisi of old, or is this why the Roman has never been considered for a role with Ferrari?
A superb performance from Nico Rosberg, who through no fault of his own started from the back of the grid. An absolutely exemplary drive from the young German, and further prove that Bahrain wasn't a one-off, not that any of seriously considered that to be the case.
Jacques Villeneuve has never made any secret of the fact that he doesn't like this track, though that never stopped him wining here. A point seems scant reward for all the effort, and the nonsense with Fisichella, but at least it has given the Canadian veteran the opportunity that he still has the desire to race, unlike some we could mention.
There is now a 13-point gap between championship leader Alonso and second placed Michael. In the coming months we can expect some thrilling battles between these adversaries, though some tracks will favour one 'package' over the other.
The good news is that we have a championship fight on our hands, and, with no disrespect to Renault, we are not in for another blue-wash.
To check out our European GP picture gallery, click here