The Iceman Cometh
Spanish Grand Prix

By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

Stop the presses; Ron Dennis actually smiled this weekend. A lot. It finally looks like the Darth Vader clan from Woking has figured out how to make a class winning car again. McClunken-McSmoking fans everywhere breathed a sigh of relieve as Kimi Räikkönen was able to capitalize on capturing P1 in qualifying and turning it into a win. The young Finn was untouchable, leading the race from start to finish. The only downside was the press corps had to down ten espressos to stay awake and catch all of his comments during the after race press conference. What didn't impress Ron Dennis was the lack of speed from the dieting Columbian. While Juan Pablo Montoya did finish in the points in seventh, he was a lap down. Maybe he could use to loose a few more pounds.

With the flying Finn on the top step of the podium, the locals were disappointed because that meant the local golden boy Fernando Alonso didn't get to make it four in a row in front of the home crowd. But, second place on the podium did extend his lead over Jarno Trulli in the championship race. It was an added bonus that Flavio Briatori didn't get more face time on the camera. But, as Naomi Campbell was wandering around the paddock, he probably didn't want everyone to see that he wasn't 100% focused on the race.

So much for a flash in the pan, the next two spots were captured by Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher in the Toyotas. Yep. Toyota on the podium. Again. It seems like the-pile-of-cash-taller-than-Bernie was money well spent. If this keeps up, there is a good chance the Japanese team will score their first win this year. But then again, it could be like their Le Mans attempts over the last few years, so close, yet so far away.

Giancarlo Fisichella finished back in 5th but lead an uneventful race. This was the first race of the season that wasn’t won by a Renault, but when you are going after the constructor's championship, points are points.

Mark Webber finished the race in 6th, but after starting higher up the grid, it was a disappointing day for BMW-Williams. Especially with ze German, Nick Heidfeld, finishing back in 10th and out of the points. With Ron Dennis smiling, the sour faces were seen in blue and white shirts this weekend.

The last point of the day went to David Coulthard who is in need of points to keep his career going. The car looked good and the Scot should have a good chance of staying out of the hotel business full time for a little while longer. Vitantonio Liuzzi didn't do anything impressive by spinning out early.

Okay, those are the points paying positions, who'd we miss?

Ferrari is struggling; Burino finished in 9th and out of the points, but was outclassed all weekend. Michael Schumacher seemed to have a good shot at the podium, but it all fell apart after loosing tire pressure twice. The Italian media is going mad (not like that's a story) and fingers are being pointed all over the place. But the boys in red are some of the best in the world and will curse in Italian as only they can and get to the bottom of these issues. The tifosi shouldn't give up hope. It could be worse. Some of us remember the 80's...

Filipe Massa finished the race in the Sauber, but was hampered by a cracked wheel at the end of race. Jacques Villeneuve didn't finish because the motor overheated. I wonder if, in an effort to balance the car, they put the motor too close to his head...

Jordan, well nobody cares.

Minardi pulled a good stunt this weekend, both cars stalled at the start. That's one way to get TV time, but I don't think the sponsors were impressed. Maybe their money would be better spent on a top level Formula 3000 team.

And finally, the big news for the weekend, BAR-Honda's disqualification and two race ban over a fuel tank that has now been deemed illegal. The rule was ambiguous at best and everyone knows that race engineers will push everything to the limit. But the FIA has acted pretty draconian-ly on this one and issued a six-month suspended sentence in order to shut the team up and keep them from fighting. Last time I checked, Honda did have deep pockets and could tell the FIA what it thinks. This one isn't over, yet. The sport needs to figure out a way to have the Japanese save face, otherwise, this might just be the catalyst needed for the breakaway series to happen.

The circus is all glitz and glamour next race. Monaco is not only a sunny spot for shady people. It's also a fast parade because the tight circuit doesn't allow much room for passing. The topless women on the back of super-yachts in the harbor will probably be more interesting than the race.