Raikkonen in Position of Irony
Many of the “Pundits” 1 had surmised the Brazilian GP would feature a front row packed with Ferrari’s. Interlagos is Felipe Massa’s home Grand Prix and with it being Schumacher’s last GP it was a reasonable expectation he would reside up front also.
So much for the “Pundits,” or any expectations. They were relegated to the dustbin of history by falling, and or non-existent, fuel pressure on Schmacher’s Ferrari. A “no time” clocking on the last qual session has the seven-time champ starting from the fifth row in tenth position.
He limped back to the pits and stayed in the car as mechanics battled desperately against the clock in a vain attempt to get him back out.
“We went to leave the pit lane and the fuel pressure disappeared. There was not much we could do,” said Brawn. “We need to have a look inside the car tonight and see what happened.”
Sitting in a position of irony is McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen. He qualed in the second spot next to Massa proving the “Pundits” didn’t expect a second technical problem2 for Schumi’s Ferrari or were flat-out misguided. Take your pick.
Kimi’s position next to Massa during the formation lap signals more than an easier road to Alonzo’s second world title. It offers a peek into next year as Kimi has taken Schumi’s presumed spot at the head of the Brazilian field and will assume his position as Ferrari’s lead driver in 2007.
For the record, Renault’s Fernando Alonso, qualified fourth fastest and starts on the second row with Toyota’s Jarno Trulli.
Also for the record, Massa’s Ferrari can be expected to assume the width of a Ferrari Man transporter truck if Alonzo attempts to pass the Brazilian. That prediction is not from a “pundit” but shear common sense.
- A Pundit in contemporary English refers to an individual considered highly knowledgeable in a particular subject area. In more realistic terms a Pundit’s equal would be a weather-guesser. In other words they don’t know much! [back]
- Schumi suffered his first engine failure at Suzuka in 5 years. [back]
Brazilian Grand Prix, F1, FIA, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonzo, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Well this pundit is wondering how far up the field Schui will finish, he has nothing to lose & can go for it.
Should he come up behing Alonso it’s going to be “interesting”. That being said I can’t see Fenando putting up much of a defense.
I agree Peter. If there is any “dirty work” to be done it will be by someone other than Alonzo or Schumi.
Barring another mechnical problem one of the two Ferrari’s will win.