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Not so certain Ferrari should be concerned following Battle of BritainPosted: Tuesday April 25, 2000 01:14 PM
So much for the smoky gloom surrounding the McLaren-Mercedes area of the pit-lane at the start of the Formula One season. Two races, no points. Two more races, 26 points. The fog of doom is rising and suddenly the Ferrari boys are gazing through a mist of concern. Germany's Michael Schumacher was an F1 colossus in winning the first three races of the new campaign, not only giving him maximum points, but also giving Ferrari and the team's followers maximum hope that this would be the season their 21-year world drivers' title drought would end. McLaren's opening failures only served to stoke the Ferrari fires. They even had a second-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix wiped from the slate for a technical irregularity. Schumacher's third win somewhat overshadowed a second and third-place finish for McLaren duo Mika Hakkinen, the reigning two-time world champion, and David Coulthard. Yet here was the indicator that the season had countless many more laps to complete. At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone last Sunday (April 23), the Mercedes engine was even more solid. Coulthard and Hakkinen were even more dogged. Schumacher was kept at bay in third as the McLaren pair recorded a one-two finish. Ferrari's second driver Rubens Barrichello, who promised much by taking pole, failed to finish for the second time in three races.
Schumacher had his problems at the start and later got stuck behind Jacques Villeneuve, while Brazilian Barrichello led until his car's hydraulic system quit. So, the last two races had provided a score of McLaren 26, Ferrari 14 --leaving Ferrari team director Jean Todt to exclaim: "Every opportunity missed gives our main competitors an advantage...we will concentrate on not letting any more points slip from our grasp." Ferrari's top brass have to be getting twitchy, even after a hat-trick of victories to start the season. Nervous glances over their shoulders might seem an over-reaction at this early stage of the season, but it comes as a result of years of near-misses and abject misery. Ultimately, though, I don't see the glamorous Italian team panicking. They've had too many years of hope turn to failure for that to happen. They also have to appreciate that in Michael Schumacher, they have the best man to steer them into Formula One utopia. But for his broken leg last year, I believe the drivers' crown would be resting on his head right now. Ferrari had to content themselves with the less heralded constructors' championship. However, that was a significant step in the right direction for Ferrari. They followed up in style - until the British rain and race dampened their spirits. So to the Spanish Grand Prix on May 7. Is McLaren on a charge...or can Ferrari regroup and plug the dam of leaking points ? Round five will supply the answers and, let's hope, more drama. This much is true. As passionately as Ferrari might wish for a plain and simple drive to the championship chequered flag, they appreciate the Formula One intrigue for 2000 is only just beginning to build.
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