It’s almost midway in the 2006 FIA Formula One championship season. And Fernando Alonso seems to have one hand on the cup already. The season started in Bahrain this time instead of Australia. But it didn’t make much of a difference to Renault. They started much like last year. They had the fastest car in the first 4 races. Schumacher and Ferrari upped their game in Imola. Imola was a good race, and ironically for Alonso, it was a complete reversal of last year’s race as Alonso tried in vain to get past a struggling but determined Schumacher. In the next race Ferrari were the better car and deserved the win they got. Going into the Spanish GP everyone thought Ferrari will do it again but Alonso and Renault pulled in some magic and won a memorable race. It was a fantastic win for Alonso- his first ever in Spain. And I must admit I ve never seen the kind of reaction from a driver as was seen from Alonso after winning the race. He was REALLY HAPPY!
Then came Monaco. It was another exciting race. Uncharacteristically, there were lots of over takings in the race. In fact I think so far in the season this has been the race with most no. of over takings. The weekend started on a sour note as Michael Schumacher was back with his prankster stuff. What he did in qualifying was disgusting and he thoroughly deserved the punishment he got. Everyone remembers what he did to Villeneuve and Hill and more recently (last season) to Barrichello. But one would’ve thought that he would’ve matured as he gets towards the end of his career. But no! he’s proven that bastards remain bastards, no matter what. I’ve always maintained that Schumacher is one of the best ever drivers. Not many have the kind of understanding of the car one drives and the track on which one drives as Schumi does. He’s a fantastic talent. Till last year I’ve said that he’s the best driver on track and this year I put Alonso and Schumi together as the best drivers. But despite his talent, Michael Schumacher’s attitude sucks. And that’s why I hate him. His drive in the race proved once again that he is a superb racer, but that cannot undo what he did in qualifying. If any of you haven’t seen the incident, you can view it here and make up your mind.
(if the link doesn’t work, just search for- Schumacher Monaco – in google videos)
Renault have upped their game since monaco. They realised where they were being beaten. Farrari were always faster at the end of the stints. So they made changes to their set up to make the car go fastest at the end of the stints. One could see this start to work in Monaco itself. Alonso was building gaps to Raikkonen towards the end of stints. It would’ve been a tight finish had the Mclaren lasted the race. Looking at Mclaren’s reliability I am really worried for next season as Alonso’s fan. The strategy of making the car go fastest at the end of the stints worked even better for Renault in Silverstone.
I expect Ferrari to up their game as the season proceeds. I think it will be a tough fight till the end. But for Schumi to win the championship, Renault and Alonso will need to have a lot of bad luck- like Alonso slipping in the bathroom and breaking his back.
News has just come in that fisichella will stay with Renault for 2007. more or less expected news. And it also means that Briatore has not been successful in roping in Webber.
There are 10 more races to go. I think the championship is not over yet. Its definitely much closer than last year. And we all know that Ferrari and Schumacher are fierce competitors. I expect a close and exciting tussle till the end.
Go Fernando, Go!!!
1 comment:
Thank you!
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