Afternoon Ennui

The mid-day shower brings reprieve to the haze that plagues our region. And I am trying my best to keep awake…

Formula One News: Brazil 22 October 2006, Interlagos

Felipe Massa is on pole position for his home Grand Prix, but qualifying was no cause for celebration for Ferrari, as Michael Schumacher will start only 10th on the grid in his final race - one he must win if he is to stand any chance of leaving with an eighth world title.

All morning, and all through the first two sessions of qualifying, Ferrari seemed a shoe-in for the front row of the grid, as Schumacher and Massa traded fastest times. But when the cars streamed out for the final session, Schumacher’s stammered and banged its way round its sole lap with a fuel feed problem, before heading to the pits where it remained.So, while Massa celebrated, Schumacher had a long face, surely proof that he had not really conceded his drivers’ title hopes at all. The fuel problem ruined his chances, and dropped him immediately to 10th place on the grid.Between the two Ferraris there are plenty of fast cars, the one driven by his arch-rival, Fernando Alonso, in fourth place after the Spaniard’s best lap of 1m 11.567s for Renault. He is separated from Massa by Kimi Raikkonen from McLaren and Jarno Trulli from Toyota. With Ralf Schumacher seventh on 1m 11.695s, ahead of the BMW Saubers of Nick Heidfeld (1m 11.882s) and Robert Kubica (1m 12.131s), the battle for fifth place in the constructors’ championship is as hot as that between Renault and Ferrari for overall honours.

So, the scene is set for an epic race, with Massa torn between an understandable desire for victory on his home ground and his wish to help his team mate to retire with yet another championship crown; and Alonso needing to play a sensible game while keeping clear of any threat from Michael. It could hardly be a better script.

As for myself, I will stay updated for the results of the F1 race. If Ferrari wins the constructor’s title, or Schumi comes in first, I will don on my Ferrari shirt and bomber jacket to dance the boogie woogie. =P
And take a goofy pic while I am at it. Now, that’s will be a darn interesting follow-up to the victory, won’t it?