Kimi the Fantastic
Japanese Grand Prix

By Pete Vack

(Erik Nielsen will return next week with on-the-spot
coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix)
Photos courtesy and copyright Ferrari Media

October 9th--He started from the very back of the grid, passed the entire field, and on the last lap, caught and passed Giancarlo Fisichella to win the Japanese Grand Prix. But it was just another day's work for Kimi Räikkönen, who thrives under those conditions. Before the race, he sounded nonchalant about the Constructor's Championship. He had already lost his chance at the World Championship, but once the flag dropped, Räikkönen drove like a Finn possessed. After three laps Kimi was 13th, by lap 16 he was in 7th, by the 33rd lap he was in 4th, and he took the lead when Fisichella pitted on lap 43. Second after his own stop, Kimi then chased the Italian down to the last lap. It was one of those gratifyingly exciting Formula One races.

By his performances this year, and by winning seven of the 18 races so far, it would appear that it should be Kimi who should be World Champion. But all too often mechanical ailments let him down, along with flat spotting a tire which led to suspension failure at the European GP. Among the top tier drivers, i.e., Schumacher, Montoya and Alonso, Räikkönen is perhaps now the best overall driver. Schumacher's age is a factor; Montoya is fast but still too impetuous; Alonso is too young and just a hair off the pace if the car is not perfect.

Significantly, all four of the top drivers failed to post good qualifying times at Japan due to weather, and in the case of Kimi, a blown engine landed him with the very last spot on the grid. Schuie started from Row 7, Alonso from Row 8, JPM from Row 9 and Kimi from Row 10. But it made for a very exciting race. Which makes one wonder if the rules should be changed. Like, say give 10 points for pole position, but then make the top four qualifiers start from the back of the grid. Sounds unfair to the drivers and teams, but certainly not unfair to the spectators, who are given a truly wonderful demonstration of passing and driver talent throughout the race. No more processionals. But don't hold your breath for that one.

Just as Kimi has a slight edge over his fellow drivers, the McLaren-Mercedes has a very slight edge over the Renaults. And both have a decisive advantage over the Ferrari, a fact which was duly observed at race after race this year. Still, we hoped that despite starting from Row 7, Schumacher would pull out the magic in his hat, display the right pit stop strategy, and perhaps even win. Oh, he tried. But he struggled to get past guys like Mark Webber in the Williams-BMW, and when confronted with both Alonso and Kimi, failed to keep them at bay. He eventually finished 7th, the poor performance of the Ferrari/Bridgestone combination made clear as he was passed several times by both drivers.

And of Ferrari, Rubens went off on the first lap then pitted with a flat tire, and was never in contention after that point. He has one race left with Ferrari, after a five year stint as a very able second string driver. It must have been difficult at times to be the teammate of one of the greatest race drivers of all time.

Fisichella, who has been overshadowed by his younger teammate, nonetheless drove an excellent race, pacing his car carefully and never placing a wheel wrong. He sensed victory, but also knew that Kimi was right on his tail and was simply driving faster. But to lose it on the last lap is always a great disappointment. One wonders what words Flavio had for him after the race.

No doubt Flavio's favorite, Alonso placed third, after having several battles and close calls with Michael Schumacher, whose Ferrari was beginning to morph itself into a HumVee. The new World Champion finally went around the ever-widening Ferrari, and then proceeded to pull away. He had to do it again after taking an unplanned shortcut while passing Christian Klien. He let Klien pass him, then on lap 10 the FIA told him to slow down and let Klein pass him again! Alonso is the star of Spain right now, and the greatest thing since de Portago.

JPM wiped himself out on lap three, going off the track while side by side with Villeneuve, hitting the wall which deftly removed the left rear wheel and suspension. It was a heavy hit which brought out the pace car after a very hectic first two laps of the race. As we mentioned, fast but impetuous. When he's good, he’s very good. When he's bad...

Not surprising, Ralf Schumacher, who after a great start in the Toyota, took the lead and held it until a three stop pit strategy fouled his efforts to stay in the lead. He dropped from first to ninth after the first pit stop on lap 13, and never again was in contention for the lead. Was it strategy or driving? Only the computer knows for sure.

Among the second tier of drivers, Mark Webber is doing a very consistent job with the off the mark Williams-BMW. He finished fourth after holding back both Kimi and Alonso, at least for as long as he could do so legally. Webber may rise in the ranks provided he as a good solid ride next year.

The much discussed Constructor's Championship will remain undecided until next week's Chinese Grand Prix, with 176 points for Renault and 174 for McLaren-Mercedes. Erik Nielsen will be back next week as well, covering the Chinese F1 race at the scene for VeloceToday.

Next year, new engines, new rules, many changes in team drivers, and we'll see the beginning of a new era in Formula One. The engines will be V8s, decidedly less high tech, but change is good. We will be following the fortunes of Ferrari and other teams throughout the year via VeloceToday.