Grand Prix of Italy

By Erik Nielsen

Ferrari celebrated their homecoming with the championship in the only way they know how, by finishing 1-2 in front of the legion of screaming tifosi. Some die hard Ferrari fans were a little upset that "their" champion didn't win the race, but Ruben's first win since Suzuka last year secured his second place in the driver's championship. All that is left this season is to figure out where the also-rans will end up.

But it wasn't a slam dunk for the home team. Burino did have the fastest time in qualifying and Michael was back in third, but when the race started in damp conditions, all bets were off. Rubens started on intermediates and left the field behind for the first five laps. After that, the track started to dry and he was soon caught by Trulli.

Michael was not as lucky, starting on slicks. After a slight tap with Jenson Button, the World Champion was sent to the back of the grid and fought hard to end up on the second step of the podium. But the rest of the race was driven cleanly in his now classic style and he made the race look effortless.

BAR Honda had a strong showing being the best of the non Ferrari teams. Jenson Button captured the last spot on the podium and Sato-san was only five seconds back. This strong finish moved the team into second in the manufacturing championship ahead of Renault with only three races to go.

Juan Pablo Montoya didn't convert on his second place qualifying position and finished the race in 5th. While he was ahead of his team mate Pizzonia (still filling in for the younger Schumacher), it was also ahead of the only McLaren to finish the race. Hmm, smart career move there Juan...

Sauber's Fisichella finished eighth and captured the last point. The privateers have been doing remarkably well this season and definitely have their act together. The same could not be said for Jaguar, Toyota and Jordan.

And Minardi got some TV coverage this weekend, although it was not the kind of coverage that Paul Stoddard wish that they got. Approximately one liter of fuel was left in the nozzle during Bruni's pit stop and caught fire when it hit the exhaust. Fortunately no one was seriously injured during the five second fireball, but the driver, unlike Bill Clinton, did inhale and did not continue the race for safety reasons. He's fine now.

With the season in Europe over, both championships have been decided with Ferrari repeating their Constructor's title and Schumacher the world champion (even if Bernie says he's not until the end of the season). As the racing moves east for the three remaining events, all that is left will be how the rest of the TV money gets divided for next year. It's still neck and neck for BAR-Honda and Renault for runner up and BMW-Williams and McLaren are still trying to make sure they don't end up in fifth. But for all practical purposes, the season is over. That's not going to keep me from enjoying my view in two weeks when the race comes to Shanghai.