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Right, GP report, Monza, is it my turn? Hmm - well it looks like Rossi’s going to test every month next year to find out if he’s quick enough to be an F1 driver. Ross Brawn says he’s already quick enough in the slow corners and it is just a question of his getting used to the braking in the high-speed ones. If he is quick enough, the rumours are that it’ll be him and Raikkonen in 2007 with Schuey probably calling it a day at the end of ’06 – an announcement one way or the other to be made next Spring. It’s funny, but attention seems to be already focused on the post-Schumacher era – though it would be extremely foolish to write him off for next year. It became clear that we tifosi could not expect too much from Monza, as both Schuey and Jean Todt issued a “profits warning”; in the event, it was even worse than could have been anticipated, with the Scuderia failing to score a point here for the first time since 1995. Despite everyone trying to remain loyal, increasing frustration has led to most of the blame being laid at Bridgestone’s door, there being a clear lack of mechanical grip at most circuits, apart from Imola and the Hungaroring, which now seem to have been flashes in the pan. As an outsider, it’s hard to understand how things could still be this bad given the massive amount of effort and resources being thrown at the problem, unless the difference in philosophies/culture/ whatever mean that Bridgestone just can’t make a Michelin-like tyre, though reports suggest that neither Bridgestone or Michelin really know precisely what's going on. Ferrari have undoubtedly been hurt extra hard by the regulation changes as they are the only top team on the Bridgestone rubber and the only one making any meaningful contribution to tyre development. This problem should ease next year as Michelin are looking to shed teams and there is talk of Toyota, Red Bull (logical) and even Williams making the switch. The problem may go away altogether in 2007 as speculation is rife that the French company will pull out and the end of ’06, after Max Mosley confirmed that the in 2008 the F1 regulations will stipulate a single tyre supplier. As a fan, I have no problem with this as long as it’s a control tyre, the same for ALL the teams [except Ferrari – Ed.]. One piece of good news for Ferrari was that Philip Morris has signed up until 2011 despite the European ban on fag advertising. In practice Schuey had a big spin in the Parabolica, it seems that he’d
moved onto a more aggressive differential map the lap before and the grip
just wasn’t there. He qualified 7th with Ruben’s down in 8th
for his last Italian GP as a Ferrari driver. Raikkonen qualified on pole
0.843 seconds ahead of Schuey, yet even this did not represent the true
difference. Raikkonen had lost another engine in practice and consequently
would incur a 10 place grid penalty. It was clear that he had qualified
with a big fuel load, though just how big, and how light the Ferraris
were would not be revealed until the race. For the record, Montoya took
pole, with Alonso crucially sharing the front row. When the lights went out Montoya blasted off with Alonso second and, apart from pitstops, that was basically it, though there was some drama over the last few laps after Montoya’s left rear tyre delaminated – a fate also suffered by Kimi. McLaren chose to bring the latter in, but not the former. If you wanted to stir up trouble you could maybe suggest that either both or neither of them should have been brought in – but that’s probably a can of worms none of the other teams want to open. The difference in pace between the McLarens and the Ferraris was fully revealed when Schuey was the first to stop on Lap12 and Raikkonen the last, some 12 laps later! This being his only fuel stop of the race..... The one-stop strategy hit him hard at the start of the race when Villeneuve jumped his heavy car and he got stuck behind the Canadian’s Sauber. The full effect of the damage this year’s aero package has had on racing was shown when JV pitted, releasing Raikkonen into clean air and he immediately went 2 seconds a lap quicker! He had a spin late on in the race and was lucky to get out of the gravel, eventually coming home fourth, separated from his team mate by both Renaults, Fisi riding shotgun to perfection this time after a disappointing qualifying performance. Alonso once again played all the percentages and racked up another crucial 8 points. As for Ferrari, Rubens ran fifth for a while, hoped for 8th, but suffered a puncture – he came home 12th. Schuey was running in 9th, pushed too hard, fell off and ended up 10th. BAR must have been as disappointed as both cars qualified well. Button started third on the grid, held the place for the opening stint but fuel rig problems and a general lack of pace meant he ended up 8th. One of the few highlights of a dull race was Sato and Webber “racing” side-by-side up the pit lane on the speed limiter! The driver of the race was for me Antonio Pizzonia who subbed for Heidfeld, who had a severe headache after a crash in testing. The Brazilian had not even sat in a Williams for 3 months, went out first in qualifying, and ended up 16th. He raced through to 7th place and two points. He will keep the seat for Spa, which may have as much to do with position for qualifying as Heidfeld’s state of health. Jean Todt has issued another “profits warning” for Spa, but
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo (much in evidence over the Monza
weekend) has said Ferrari WILL win again this year, having received assurances
from Bridgestone’s top management. So it looks like we should enjoy
Spa for itself and look forward to the last three races. The Jedi Masters
of the FOC are going to have to give us newer tifosi lessons on belief
in the power of The Forza!
Click here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page.
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