Montoya Hangs On
Italian Grand Prix

By Erik Nielsen
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

Piero Ferrari and Luca di Montezemolo

Juan Pablo Montoya was able to convert his pole position (which was a gift as Kimi had the fastest time but needed a new engine) to win the Italian Grand Prix, his second win of the season. While Ron Dennis was happy for the result, it would have been better if the Finn had won and the other two spots weren't filled by drivers in blue and yellow. The Colombian was able to keep his lead from the start, even with a Michelin tire seeming to shred in the closing laps.

Flavio was happy that his favorite driver of the season was nipping at the rear wing of Montoya's silver and black McLaren-Mercedes. Even though it was a second place, it was ahead of Kimi, and it extended his lead in the championship with just a few installments left. With his Italian team-mate on the lowest spot on the podium, the French team seems to be within striking distance of wrapping both titles up this season.

Kimi Räikkönen was disappointed that his fastest time was more or less canceled out by a ten position penalty for an engine swap. The Finn also suffered tire wear issues and could do no better than fourth after stopping to swap out a rear tire. While there is no question that he had the fastest car of the weekend, his title chances are decreasing race by race as we get into the final stretch of the season.

Toyota managed to get a small return on the millions they've spent, with Trulli and Ralf Schumacher finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. While it might not seem like much, they both finished in the points, allowing the Japanese team to close the gap in the battle for third in the constructor's championship. While I'm sure that they are in it for the outright championship, the chance of beating Ferrari at their own game has to re-motivate the team to keep pushing.

Williams had a bit of a bright spot with Pizzonia finishing in the points. Unless they come up with a front running car this week (or Red Bull does), Sir Frank's team is going to be stuck in fifth place in the championship. With BMW betting the farm on Sauber, the English team seems to be continuing its slide to "also ran" status.

BAR started the season looking good and there still is a lot of fuss around Jenson Button, but eighth place is really not that big a deal. A few years ago, it wasn't even a points paying position. And he's running tenth in the driver's championship right now, nothing spectacular there. Don't believe the hype.

Massa, Ferrari's new driver for next year, finished ahead of Michael Schumacher in this race, but again, that's not spectacular either when neither finished in the points. Sauber still has a ways to go, but maybe if they're able to fully integrate the team with BMW, they can become a front runner. Villeneuve was in a Ferrari sandwich, but it was topped with "also-ran dressing".

Ferrari store in Milan

Okay, rant time. With the exception of being interested in whether or not everyone made it through the first turn on the opening lap, this race seemed like a snoozer. Maybe I've just watched too much of it for the last several years, but this was as exciting as watching paint dry. That's not true, it was worse. With paint, there is an added sensation of being light headed as the various solvents evaporate. This was dull. No wonder Bernie and company are looking for new markets, they're existing markets are falling a sleep on the couch (or not even showing up for the race). Something needs to change to make this more exciting.

Formula 1 is winding down towards the season closer in Shanghai. Only one more race in Europe this year, Spa, the driver's circuit is this weekend. Michael Schumacher needs to finish better than Juan Pablo Montoya for the rest of the races, or third place in the championship is going to go to the Colombian.