The Iceman Crasheth
Grand Prix of Europe

By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

It was looking like the Iceman was going to turn the tide against the Renaults in front of hundreds of Mercedes employees at the Grand Prix of Europe this weekend, but a few laps from the end, the Flying Finn flat-spotted his tire and created a terrible vibration in the front right suspension of his McClunker. Most people know that carbon fiber is very strong in the direction that you lay it up in the mold, but most engineers don't design suspensions to deal with large vibrations. The result? A spectacular crash on the front straight. Luckily no one was hurt, but it wasn't what the corporate big wigs wanted to see in their own back yard. It wasn't all Michelin's fault (and rumors of German troops massing at the border would prove to be just rumors) as Räikkönen was pushing the car hard and sliding through some of the turns like a good rally driver would.

If the FIA really is concerned about safety and not just mucking with the rules, they'll see that more and more people are going to take chances with sub par tires. Hopefully they will see the light before someone gets hurt.

With the Finn out of the way, Fernando Alonso once again found himself at the top spot of the podium and the world had to deal with the sweaty "Flabio" Briatore yet again. The Spaniard drove a clean race and would have finished second if it wasn't for the issues with the McClunker. Darth Vader's team is closing the gap and this one should turn into a two horse race.

Nick Heidfeld finished the race in second (but the first German as the suits in Munich were jumping up and down), showing that the BMW-Williams is fast. After all, it did set the pole. A little fiddling with the launch control and Sir Frank's boys should be contenders as well.

Tifosi the world over were finally happy to see some red on the podium with Rubens Barrichello finishing in third. After complaining last week about getting passed on the last few yards at Monaco, someone lit a fire under the Brazilian's ass and he managed to covert it to points. Ferrari isn't back just yet, but the doom and gloom is starting to fade away. Michael Schumacher didn't do much this weekend finishing in fifth. Points is points, but the top positions pay more. The cynics in the peanut gallery are speculating that the contract extension that Ferrari signed for big money also included the clause "you don't win this year".

With the exception of Marc Webber who crashed out on the first turn, Ralf Schumacher who put it in the kitty litter (if you're not spinning, you're not trying hard enough), and the Finn, everyone managed to finish the race this weekend. This allows us to see where the cars really are in relative performance. The Renaults are still top of the heap followed closely by the silver arrows of McLaren-Mercedes (Juan Pablo Montoya didn't do much this weekend, but that's not a surprise to anyone, is it?). One of the surprises is Red Bull. While Ford never could understand how to run the team, this year's results show that there is some talent there. People may not be happy that DC isn't winning races. He is right back in the same spot on the grid as he was with McLaren. That proves the car is up there.

BAR-Honda was back, but without much to show for it. You've got to give them credit for trying to push the rules as hard as they did.

Jacques Villeneuve finished ahead of Filipe Massa, but with both a lap down, only three die-hard French Canadian fans noticed. I only mention it because I have to fill this page.

As for Jordan and Minardi, I'm still lucky that I don't have to learn how to spell any new names this year. Not the type of copy that the advertisers like to read, but it is the truth.

The circus crosses the pond and heads to the North American races as we get into the mid-season. The GP of Canada is in two weeks.