Ralf Schumacher
responds to his critics and wins the race over 16 seconds ahead of his
team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya. Rubens Barrichello finishes a distant third
while Fernando Alonso somehow manages to hold onto 4th. Michael Schumacher
manages 5th after getting some help from the marshals after he spun while Mark
Webber enjoys his best finish of his career so far in 6th..
A
few of the highlights:
Kimi Raikkonen
had the race under control until his engine blew. It was very unfortunate
for the young Finn and lost a big opportunity to regain the lead in the
championship.
Ralf
Schumacher had more fuel than both Kimi and Michael yet he qualified a few
hundredths of a second behind them. He drove a faultless race and although
he didn't have to pass anyone, he has certainly picked up his game.
Juan Pablo
Montoya appeared to struggle at the start of the race. Something we've
seen for a number of races. His move on Michael though was stunning and we
should see more of that in Formula 1.
Michael
Schumacher spinning as a result of touching Juan Pablo, is it anyone's
fault? Should Juan Pablo have given Michael more space or should Michael
have braked a bit earlier ?
Also the marshals pushing Michael out of the gravel, do you agree with
such a move? The regulations state that a driver can be helped out if he
is in a dangerous position and his engine is running but is it within the
spirit of the sport ?
Fernando
Alonso managed to get ahead of Trulli via the pits and keep Coulthard
behind him despite his struggles with the car. Towards the end Coulthard
couldn't find a way past despite the obvious speed difference. When Alonso
braked earlier than expected, Coulthard went off to avoid Alonso. Should
Coulthard have seen this coming and drove more carefully ? Was Alonso at
fault for braking early ?
Mark Webber
again finished the best of the rest and this time in 6th place, his best
finish this season.
The difference
in performance between Michelin and Bridgestone was again evident with
the Ferrari package slower than Williams and McLaren despite their
superior chassis/engine. It must be frustrating for the Ferrari camp. How
have Michelin managed to gain such an advantage ?
Your
thoughts ?
Of course you can comment on other aspects of the race - Have
Your Say (What others are saying)
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What others are saying:
Congats. to Ralf who drove an immaculate race. I am amazed that DC did not
seek out and punch Alonso out after the race, I guess he's one of the few
gentlemen left theses days.
Just for the record Mark Webber's best finish was in his first race which was
in Melbourne last year where he was placed fifth - Arthur W - Australia
(Thanks for pointing that out. The new points system got me there!.
Corrected now ... Ed.)
Kimi looked very strong on Sunday, he was very unlucky and I hope his form
continues so that Michael has a real challenge for the title. Coulthard, on
the other hand, has been incredibly fortunate to be in formula1 this long,
never mind so long at teams like Williams and McLaren - Bob H - Ireland
I liked the race. And I think Ralph redeemed himself a little. As for the
incident with JPM and Schumacher, I thought it was interesting how Ferrari
went on the offensive first in regards to the nature of the incident. When
clearly the bigger issue was Michael getting pushed back on the track. That's
why they're world champions.
As far as Raikkonen's fate. If "if was a fifth, we'd all be drunk right
now." Cars Break, sucks for Kimi.
Again, What was Panis doing? The brakes locked mysteriously? I don't buy
it.
I think Coulthard had reason to be upset. More upset than he appears. He very
nearly had a BAD wreck (shunt).
I'm starting to feel sorry for Villaneau. That was actually a great piece of
driving he did when he spun his car. Compared to what Panis did on his lock-up
and stall, Villaneau was inspiring. Maybe we can show that tape to Panis and
show him how a Pro responds - John N - USA
MATTHEW, Michael Schumacher will only retire when someone challenges him.
It is getting tough for him this year and if Kimi gets a reliable package
he'll take the challenge to Michael and if Michael can't fight back he'll
retire. I'd say end of 2004 tops (unless Ferrari switch to Michelin then he'll
be there till 2006!!) - Graham R - Australia
If Michael Schumacher's car was in a dangerous spot and stuck (which he
clearly was), the race marshalls should have pushed him OFF the track, not ON
to the track. Without the assist, he would have been out of the race and his
result should not stand - Dory R - Canada
I think that Michael should retire from F1 and let the guys who have not
already won the world championship should be able to win it. Drivers such as
Kimi, Ralf, Fernando, Juan Pablo and David, by MATTHEW - Australia
Kimi's day will come. Maybe next Sunday? I had picked the Mac's to be
pushing Michael and leaving Rubens & the Williams to wrestle with Renault.
Shows how out of touch I am! Instead the Red Machines were struggling to keep
up with Sir Frank's (at last!) powerful new package; David appeared to be
pouting because they haven't given him the new car. Will it "come
out" at Silverstone? Will it be as beautiful (and as disappointing) as
the new Ferrari?
They've been very quiet about why the Merc went away on Kimi, so does that
mean they were simply over-revving it?
As to Fernando's funny braking and JPM's overtaking: not much to say, really.
They all get paid a very great deal of money to get points. And if getting
points were simply a matter of having the fastest car -- yawn, who would care?
David should respond as Michael did: "it was a racing incident AND in the
same situation I'd have done EXACTLY the same thing!" Come on, D.C.;
you're starting to sound like J.V. Even JPM has toned down the whining lately,
so does that mean you have to crank it up?
And, lastly, as to pushing Michael. If rules depend on marshal's
interpretations of the racing situation, they'll always lead to controversy.
Again, if I'm Michael and my engine is running and I can convince someone to
push me, why should anyone whine about it? Think what would have happened had
Michael waited, engine running, and the Marshals stood around arguing with one
another! He wouldn't have had to say anything after the race, but one can rest
assured that Jean Todt would have plenty to say! - Jim W - USA
Fantastic race, who'd of thought it would end like it did. Poor old Kimi
blew his guts out, must be a car breaker eh... (joke).
Ralph picked up the pieces and won handily over a fast moving JPM (good rubber
in the last stint I'd say}, who really showed chop (MS} the door with the old
over under trick. Chop can't help himself can he has to bang wheels
Alonso had brake tested DC a few times before the big one, I thought DC would
have realised it was going to happen. I told the missus that as soon as
Alonso's grip was gone he'd set him up big time and bang there you go,
brilliant. Did it to chop on the last corner as well.
I think Ralph is using his car very well very similar to Reubens last year in
the 02 against MS. Bring on France - Cooky - Australia
I don't think Ralf could have gotten around Kimi If the Mercedes engine had
not let go. Ralf is a competent driver, but he is not in the same class with
any of the front runners and more than a few drivers in mid pack are
better.
The incident between JPM and Michael was just a racing incident. We can Monday
Morning Quaterback them forever and it doesn't change that fact. We need more
RACING like that. According to the rules that the commentators on Speed TV
read what the marshals did, pushing Michael out of the gravel, was within the
rules, so it was a non-issue.
I think Alonso braking at unexpected places is probably inexperience. Should
DC have been more careful? Maybe, but again it was one of those things that
make racing interesting and unpredictable - Jeff S - USA
Firstly, what horrible luck for Kimi. Is he the new Mansell? Well done
Ralf, but I would love to have seen the race had Kimi not dropped out. Great
pass by Montoya to earn a well deserved 2nd place and great to see Williams
are truely back.
I think there is no difference between Ferrari, McLaren and Williams at
present aside from the Michelans, with Renault just a little
underpowered.
Jaguar has found reliability but seems to have lost performance. Oddly, they
seemed fast on Friday, slower on Saturday and maybe even a little slower in
the race - mystery there!
Toyota showed they mean business all weekend and must be bitterly disappointed
with the performance of Panis and the cars themselves. Lookout for this team
next year.
Anyway, the stage is set for a 3 way shootout between the Schuey brothers and
Raiko, with Montoya as a good outside chance. And now we head to Michelans
home turf! I can smell Ferrari's fear from here! :) - Byron F -
Australia
Personally I think Monty's move on Michael is overrated. Michael and his
Ferrari was struggling and Monty was a lot quicker and was reeling him in hand
over heels. The Ferrari package just was not good and Monty could have passed
Michael any time any where any way he wanted (after the last pit stop).
Michael was there to be taken. Just about anybody in the same position as
Monty could have taken him.
Although I am a huge Schumacher fan I thought I detected a hint of deliberism
on Michael's part in that move. I agree with Andre on his comment about
F2003-GA (it IS a fiasco compared to F2002) and both Andre and Graham are spot
on about Bridgestone. Michelin definitely has the better tyre at this stage -
Johan M - South Africa
I agree with Andre on Ralf. While he is a very consistent driver he is no
racer. Kimi had the race and had his engine not failed Ralf would have
finished 2nd. The move Montoya put on Michael was superb and that is something
Ralf would never do.
Michael being pushed by the marshals was lucky. I think the FIA should change
that rule and ban any external aid to a driver regardless of the situation.
Alonso was superb. I think he and Raikkonen are the two that will battle it
out for years to come.
Bridgestone!, I imagine Ferrari are seriously thinking about jumping ship but
thanks to Michelin we have an exciting championship!! Just imagine the F2003
on Michelin rubber! - Graham R - Australia
Kudos to Williams/Michelin and Petrobras. Ralf inherited a victory that he
would never be able to achieve under normal circumstances. He is no Montoya,
who showed us that Canada's result could be different. Coulthard was naive as
always. Alonso should be investigated 'cose he was breaking on unusual spots.
MS almost hit him on the last curve. I would die to watch a team with the
F2002 package. The F2003GA is a fiasco compared to what the F2002 achieved
last year.. And Bridgestone is struggling - Andre B - Brazil
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