Strategic Moves
Grand Prix of France

By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

It’s one thing to beat Renault at the strategy game, but it’s another thing to do it in their own back yard. Michael Schumacher didn’t have the fastest car of qualifying. He was worried that he might not have the fastest car of the race. But the red team was busy pushing calculator and computer buttons, and after a 4th stop, the Ferrari bearing number 1 on the front was the first car to cross the finish line. This proves once again that Ferrari is the dominant team of maybe not just the season, but probably the decade.

Having Schumacher win the race took some of the wind out of the French team’s sails, but when Rubens Barrichello actually passed not only Button but Trulli on the track to capture third place, Flavio started limping like someone had given him a swift kick in the crotch. Thousands of Renault employees left the stands in utter silence. Journalists might stop hounding Burino if he keeps driving like this. His drive from tenth to the last spot on the podium really was remarkable.

Alonso, who is in desperate need of a haircut, basically admitted defeat and was just happy to be on the podium after two DNF’s in North America. "I have been waiting for this podium for a long time. I could have had it at each of the last two races were it not for mechanical problems, so I am really happy to be here! I had a good race, and fought as hard as possible, but I think Michael was just stronger today. To score my best result of the year at Renault's home Grand Prix is a great feeling."

While it might have been a great feeling for the Spaniard, his Italian team mate was scared to go to the office on Monday. "I’m gutted for myself and the team to have lost third place at the very end of the race. I defended against Rubens as much as possible, but on the last lap, he was quicker on the exit of turn 13 and passed me under braking for the next corner. I tried to close the door, but couldn't. At the moment, all I feel is disappointment, but I will have to get over it and come back stronger at the next races."

BAR-Honda is doing so well, that fifth place in the race for Jenson Button is now a disappointment. The team is doing much better than they were when that French Canadian was driving for them, but they’re not at the top just yet.

Surprisingly, the McClunking-Mersmoking cars both finished the race. And in the points, too. Darth Vader’s team debuted the revised 19B version of the car this weekend, and had David Coulthard gotten a better start, the Scot would have been much further up the field. But he didn’t, and he should be happy with the three points he got here. Kimi ended up behind him with another two points, so the team pulled a little closer to BMW-Williams in the standings, and more importantly, a little further ahead of Sauber.

Ah, Sir Frank’s team. Juan Pablo Montoya captured the last point of the race after spinning from hitting a curb entering the front straightaway. "It has been a very difficult race for me, especially because of an intense pain in my neck, which nearly prevented me from being able to keep my head up." As opposed to the pain in his ass from the team riding him so hard. With performances like this, the team is looking forward to the day when he is with McLaren. Marc Gene, the Williams’ test driver, filled in for Ralf Schumacher while he recovers from fractured vertebrae he received from his high speed crash at Indy.

Everyone else was a moving chicane this weekend. The Toyotas weren’t competitive and with Ralf going there next year, nothing will probably change for the foreseeable future. Eddie Jordan is still having fun lining his pockets with sponsorship money. Peter Sauber is trying his best with bits from last year’s Ferrari, but the Swiss team is wishing it would be legal to buy the whole car, not just the engine. Minardi only lost one car during the race, but four laps back, Bruni should just be happy he’s got a ride.

With only eight races left, Ferrari seems to be making good time to pick up another constructor’s title and Schumacher will most likely add another championship to his record. Renault is closing the gap performance wise, but it may be a case of too little, too late. BAR-Honda surprised everyone, but they need reliability on Sato-san’s engine to make a difference. McLaren might make things interesting, but a terrible start to the season has taken them out of contention. BWM-Williams just want the season to end so they can start with new talent. And everyone else is just happy that they’re part of the show.

Only one week to clean off the cars and get the last bit of development done. The circus goes to Silverstone this weekend and Ferrari gets a little closer to the end.