Japan GP: The Racing God’s Giveth And…….
Written by George Katinger · October 8, 2006
…they taketh away. In the often used words of speedtv racing color man Steve Matchett, both Renault’s and Ferrari’s hopes for the dual championships can be summed up in one word: KABLAMO!! Fernando Alonso first, Felipe Massa second, and Giancarlo Fisichella third.
speedtv.com: Alonso All But Clinches Title with Suzuka Win
grandprix.com: JAPANESE GP - SUNDAY - RACE INCIDENTS
planet-f1.com: Alonso stunned by Schumi’s engine failure
sport.guardian.co.uk: From hero to zero, Schumacher’s hopes are suddenly blown
timesonline.co.uk: Smoke signals pointing in Alonso’s direction
planet-f1.com: Schumi concedes title
autosport.com: Renault taking nothing for granted
What the racing god’s took from Michael Schumacher is any reasonable chance at winning his 8th driver’s championship in his final year. What they gifted to Fernando Alonso was his second consecutive driver’s title.
And why is it I deem it an intervention by the gods? Because Alonso’s victory was due to a Ferrari engine failure in Schumi’s car with 17 laps to go; and that hasn’t happened since the year 2000! Six years of rock steady engine performances from Maranello. I’m sure if we consulted with an expert in the laws of probability they would tell you it was inevitable, the longer a trend continues the greater the chances of that trend ending. But not now, not when racing fans are priviledged to see a season ending race in Brazil that could have been one of the best of the decade! All up in smoke.
So what does it all mean? Alonso leads Schumacher by ten and Renault lead Ferrari by nine points in their respective title chases. If Michael Schumacher wins the Brazilian GP all that Alonso has to do is come home 8th, score one point and the driver’s championship is his once again. As an interesting side bar, if Fernando had not won last year and wins this year, he would still be the youngest driver ever to win the driver’s title. Amazing.
But Brazil is a quirky place to race. The track is hazardous to the complacent, the weather is unpredictable, and the possibilites for more unexpected mayhem is high. If Fernando can manage not to piss off his team and co-driver, if he can race aggressively and avoid any incidental contacts, if he can keep his own engine from grenading, if his team can manage competent pit stops, if his Michelin tires hold up, he will be the champion. Those are a whole lot of if’s people, and they contain more problems than apparent at first glance.
So what of the rest of the race? The Toyota’s fell off the pace but did not pit quite as early as I expected, Button drove an uneventful but competent race to come home fourth (in front of both Toyota’s!) and the no doubt chuckling Kimi Raikkonen drove very well to come from 11th to 5th place. He probably had the fastest closing laps and may have had a shot at the podium given another handful of laps. And Sauber-BMW still lead over Toyota in the manufacturer’s race by one point!
And the cause of Kimi’s chuckling? No doubt the thought of Alonso in a McLaren next year with the big number “1″ on it’s bonnet consistently NOT on the podium. Enjoy the glory while you have it Fernando, it may be more fleeting than you expect. But that’s a tale to be discussed in the off season.
Japanese Grand Prix Results - 8 October 2006 - 53 Laps
POS DRIVER NATIONALITY ENTRANT TIRE LAPS TIME/RETIRE
1. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault 53 1h23m53.411
2. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari 53 16.151
3. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Renault 53 23.953
4. Jenson Button Britain Honda 53 34.101
5. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 53 43.596
6. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota 53 46.717
7. Ralf Schumacher Germany Toyota 53 48.869
8. Nick Heidfeld Germany Sauber-BMW 53 1m16.095
9. Robert Kubica Poland Sauber-BMW 53 1m16.932
10. Nico Rosberg Germany Williams-Cosworth 52 1 Lap
11. Pedro de la Rosa Spain McLaren-Mercedes 52 1 Lap
12. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Honda 52 1 Lap
13. Robert Doornbos Netherlands Red Bull-Ferrari 52 1 Lap
14. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy Toro Rosso-Cosworth 52 1 Lap
15. Takuma Sato Japan Super Aguri-Honda 52 1 Lap
16. Tiago Monteiro Portugal MF1-Toyota 51 2 Laps
17. Sakon Yamamoto Japan Super Aguri-Honda 50 3 Laps
18. Scott Speed United States Toro Rosso-Cosworth 48 5 Laps
R Mark Webber Australia Williams-Cosworth 39 Accident
R Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari 36 Engine
R David Coulthard Britain Red Bull-Ferrari 35 Gearbox
R Christijan Albers Netherlands MF1-Toyota 20 Driveshaft/Damage
FASTEST LAP:
Fernando Alonso Spain Renault 14 1:32.676
Comments
10 Responses to “Japan GP: The Racing God’s Giveth And…….”
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Will Brazil be high drama….or a anti-climax? I guess anything is possible.
Does anybody know how to do a rain dance?
That’s a lot if Alonzo “ifs” George.
But I agree and posted pretty much the same.
Interlagos is the home of the misbegotten racing gods. And they often don’t smile on those that need it most.
Ask Rubens about Interlagos?? Lol
Amazing:
A Ferrari engine failure!
What is next, Massa taking out Alonso in front of Felipa’s home crowd?
Just like another Brazilian, Senna?
Massa did not look ‘appy on the podium.
And he has stated, over and over again that he wants to ‘elp Michael to win the title.
What do I think?
Perhaps a hard charge into turn 1, at the start?
Maybe a push while trying to take points away from Renault?
And Interlagos has its own bite, as we all have seen.
2 weeks? Damn, I can’t wait.
What’s the difference between class and no class? Michael shaking the hand of every mechanic after his engine gave up = Class. Fernando blaming everyone but himself after he comes in second at China = No Class.
I just hope that Ferrari manages to pull out the constructors championship because the chances of Alonso not scoring a single point is pretty much impossible. He’s already had an engine failure recently, and the Renault powerplant is almost as bulletproof as the Ferrari. But, Interlagos is a harsh mistress. When she takes a bite, she makes it big and wide. There’s rarely a small incident when incidents happen. Even though Michael has given up on the drivers championship, it will be an interesting raced to watch.
My condolences Tim, when Mikey’s engine flamed out you were the first Ferrari fan I thought of. And I agree 110% that Schumi’s personal comments and hugs to each of his paddock crew IS what separates him from the rest.
But it is also the difference between a weathered and wise, retiring seven time champion and a relative kid (Alonso). Compare Alonso with Schumi’s antics at the same age and there may not be an appreciable difference. But even with those differences I found Fernando’s verbal attacks on his own team troubling to say the least.
Interlagos will provide a true insight into Alonso’s “sporting” mentality. especially with his emminent departure to McLaren. Will he lay back and protect his 10 point lead, or will he go balls out after a win in the effort to close the constructor’s title as well as the driver’s? I certainly don’t expect any risky moves from him on the opening lap, but I will be hugely disappointed if he trundles around in a comfortable place that will assure HIS title without aggressively chasing a win to help the team.
Even if the driver’s issue is a foregone conclusion, it’s up to Alonso to set the tone for how exciting the Brazilian GP will really be. As Vincent said, it will be a long two weeks!
Yes to all of what was just written. And a real example of the way that Michael and Ferrari work: Last year, not one mention of how bad the Bridgestones were. It was always the package. Not once did you here the team trash the tires. And not once did you see the tires left out for everyone to see, like Renault did earlier this year.
I do know that if I was Alonso, at Interlogos, I would not get within shouting distance of anything painted red with a yellow helmet. Run and hide!
I also wonder just how much Flav doesn’t want to see that number one go to Ronnies team!
You have a point, George. Experience does make a difference. I just don’t remember ever seeing Michael look as bad as Alonso did in China whenever he was on a podium. Each one looked like a sweet experience for him.
If the McLaren continues the way they are, it will be interesting to see how Alonso takes it. Maybe he’ll take up Kimi’s hobby of bar hopping.
Alonso and McLaren. I don’t know how much of McLaren’s problems have been engine, chassis or tire related. Having all the cars on Bridgies next year should help, but I suspect their loss of Newey to RB was a bigger hit than they are willing to admit.
Alonso decided to move at the right time because Renault were on the fence as to deciding to continue in F1, and Ferrari wasn’t an option because Schumi was undecided about his future. Based on that Alonso took the best option available, McLaren. They may struggle next year but you know they will eventually be at the sharp end of the stick again.
Yeah, I’d like to see Alonso at the sharp end of a stick…
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I half-heartedly apologize. ;)