Spicy end of 2006 season
It has been years ago that the Formula One Championship battle has been this tense. With only 2 races to go, both championship titles still need to be decided. Renault is only 1 point ahead of Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship and Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso both have 116 points. As Schumacher won 7 Grands Prix and Alonso 6, the German goes to Japan as leader in the Drivers' Championship.
Today, Renault and Fernando Alonso didn't take the chance to take the lead in BOTH Championships. Two crucial periods of the race cost Alonso vital track time. The first came at the end of the first stint when, after discussions with Fernando and Michelin, the team chose to change the severely worn front tyres only. As Fernando returned to the track, he was unable to regain his previous level of performance and was rapidly caught by team mate Giancarlo Fisichella and rival Michael Schumacher. During his second pit stop, the Spaniard had a problem as the wheel nut came loose from the gun, which leaded in a pit stop that lasted 20 valuable seconds.
Of course Michael Schumacher, who seems to be in the shape of his life, didn't let this opportunity pass him by and took the lead after passing Giancarlo Fisichella. Even tough Fernando Alonso made an incredible remount, he couldn't catch the fast Ferrari of Schumacher.
With only 2 races to go, both Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, or Ferrari and Renault can become Champion. One thing is for certain, none of the drivers and teams are willing to give each other presents.
Not only the battle between Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso caught our eye today as Kimi Raikkonen also played an important role in the beginning of the race. Raikkonen had an incredible start and moved from 5th to 2nd position. Unfortunatly for the new 'Ferrari man' his car suffered a failure of the engine throttle mechanism and he had to retire.
Jenson Button finished 4th today and collected valuable points for Honda, just like team mate Rubens Barrichello. After his first Grand Prix victory in Hungary, Button seems to have lost the pressure and has regained confidence.
One of the boys that is soon forgotten in F1 is Nick Heidfeld. 'Quick Nick' drove an amazing race today, but had to settle with 7th position as there was an incident in the final metres of the race. Heidfeld saw Button run off with his 4th place.
One thing is for sure, F1 fans all over the world saw great spectacle today and they don't expect any less in the final 2 races of the season. Next week, the F1 circus makes a stop at Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix and 2 weeks after that, Interlagos is the venue for the final race of the season: the Brazilian Grand Prix.
