Spain: 75/200 - Schumacher's perfect day

By pitpass.com (09/05/2004)
May 9 2004

Although Barcelona is not known for exciting racing, not in recent years at any rate, the opening lap of today's event should be electric.

Quite simply, Michael Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya start from the front row with Takuma Sato, Jarno Trulli, Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher behind them.

Despite the fact that it's two weeks since the fireworks at Imola, Montoya is still simmering. Having launched an astonishing attack on Schumacher at the San Marino post-race press conference, Montoya has kept the argument going ever since, and will know doubt see today's race as the perfect opportunity to get one over on his great rival. Michael Schumacher has called Montoya "emotional", while his bother Ralf, Montoya's teammate, has accused the Colombian of whining.

Although Bernie Ecclestone and pals adore the publicity that such feuds attract, the last thing they need is 'kamikaze' tactics, especially at a time when the sport is still remembering the death of Ayrton Senna. Therefore, although we hope for a great battle from two superb racers, let's hope they keep it clean.

As we all concentrate on Schumacher and Montoya, let's not forget some of the drivers who could benefit from any silliness, not least Takuma Sato, the only driver to break the 1:14s barrier this weekend. Jarno Trulli should also be worth watching, the Italian really needs a podium.

Today also gives Jenson Button an opportunity to prove what he's made of, starting from 14th, following a mistake in qualifying, it will be interesting to see how he works his way through the field. The team has targeted a fifth place finish.

As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the ambient temperature is 21 degrees C, while the track temperature is 36 degrees. There are a few clouds in the sky, but for the most part it's sunny.

As the cars make their way round on the warm up lap, an idiot runs on to the track waving a banner. So that's where Crompo is.

The grid forms. Montoya looks across at his great rival.

Montoya has a dreadful start, while Jarno Trulli and Takuma Sato have stormers. Trulli leads into the first corner ahead of Schumacher, Sato, Montoya and Barrichello. A fantastic start for both Trulli and Sato.

At the end of the first lap Trulli leads Schumacher by 0.598, while Coulthard is up to eighth. Montoya is setting a blistering pace as he tries to atone for his poor start.

Takuma Sato posts a fastest lap of 1:18.803, the Japanese driver having a brilliant race thus far, while teammate Button is back in fourteenth.

At the end of lap 4, Trulli leads by 0.5s with Sato a further 1.8s down the road, meanwhile Button has passed da Matta. Schumacher posts a new fastest lap.

Lap four and Trulli posts a new fastest lap, as Gianmaria Bruni pits. Further back Alonso is all over Barrichello (5th), while Fisichella, Webber and Button are scrapping for 11th. Pantano is also having a great ding-dong with Klien for 16th.

At the end of lap 5, Trulli leads by 0.624, with Sato 3.3s behind followed by Montoya, Barrichello and Alonso. Ralf Schumacher is running in ninth, having had a poor start and going on to make a couple of mistakes.

Schumacher closes on Trulli, but it's the Italian that posts another fastest lap. Alonso is still all over Barrichello, while Ralf is sniffing at Coulthard's rear.

Alonso pits at the end of lap 8, as does Panis.

Next time around Trulli pits, as does Montoya. The WilliamsF1 mechanics adjust the front wing on the FW26. Raikkonen pits as does Webber and Heidfeld.

Next lap it's Schumacher that pits leaving Takuma Sato to become the first Japanese driver to lead a Grand Prix. Schumacher exits the pits ahead of Trulli, stunning driving and tactics.

Ralf Schumacher pits as does Coulthard.

At the end of lap 11 it's Sato that pits leaving Barrichello in the lead, the Brazilian responds with a new fastest lap.

Thus far everyone has stopped except Barrichello, Fisichella, Massa, Klien and Baumgartner.

Barrichello continues as teammate Schumacher posts a 1:17.450, Trulli is now third 2.4s behind. Meanwhile Baumgartner makes his second stop of the afternoon.

Ignoring Barrichello, who has yet to stop, it's Schumacher from Trulli, Fisichella, Sato, Alonso, Massa, Montoya, Klien, Ralf and Panis.

As the Brazilian continues, it appears that he's on a two-stop strategy.

Coulthard had a problem with his fuel hose during his pit-stop, he's now running thirteenth behind Raikkonen. Behind the two McLarens is Button, currently running thirteenth.

At the end of lap 15, Barrichello leads Schumacher by 10.5s with Trulli a further 4.2s behind. Panis is hard on the heels of Klien, who has yet to stop, though the Frenchman is under pressure from Raikkonen, Coulthard and Button, who are running nose-to-tail.

At the end of lap 17, Barrichello stops, as does Fisichella. The Brazilian re-joins in third ahead of Sato. Next time around, fellow Brazilian Massa pits, that means everyone has not stopped at least once.

Schumacher now leads Trulli by 5.7, with Barrichello a further 9.9s behind and 4.5s ahead of Sato. Alonso is fifth, 1.8s behind the Japanese driver and 5s ahead of Montoya.

Baumgartner goes off which brings out the yellow flags, the Hungarian is the first 'retirement' of the day.

Alonso closes in on Sato, who is driving a great race. Meanwhile, Button is still looking for a way to get past Coulthard. It was at Barcelona last year that the two Brits 'tangled'. Montoya is running sixth, with teammate Ralf Schumacher closing in.

At the end of lap 23, Trulli makes his second stop, he's stationary for 5.3s rejoining behind his teammate and ahead of Montoya.

Panis is under pressure from Raikkonen, as Schumacher pits (lap 25). The German is stationary for 5.5s and re-joins in front of his teammate. Alonso pits as does Ralf Schumacher.

Michael Schumacher had made two pit-stops, yet is still leading by 2.1s, quite amazing. Montoya stops - making more adjustments to his front wing - as does Sato.

It's Michael from Barrichello, Trulli, Alonso, Sato and Fisichella, the Italian, like Barrichello, has yet to make a second stop.

Once again Coulthard has a troublesome pit-stop while Sato also had problems, hence the loss of position to Alonso.

Montoya is seventh ahead of Raikkonen, Ralf and Button, though the Finn has yet to maker his second stop.

Olivier Panis is given a 'drive through' for speeding in the pitlane, as Raikkonen makes his second stop.

Montoya is running seventh and closing on Fisichella, who has yet to stop, Button is all over Klien who also needs to pit.

At the end of lap 31, it's Schumacher from Barrichello, Trulli, Alonso, Sato, Fisichella, Montoya, Ralf, Massa and Button. Klien is eleventh ahead of Raikkonen, Coulthard, Webber, Panis, da Matta, Heidfeld, Pantano and Bruni. Still just the one retirement, Baumgartner.

It's reported that Schumacher might have a problem with a cracked exhaust, but his times seem fine. Bruni however does have a problem as does Heidfeld, both retiring on the same lap (33).

Montoya is all over Fisichella - who has yet to stop - but he can't find a way past. The Renaults are running third and fourth, with Sato 5.8s behind Alonso.

The yellow flags come out as Panis goes off, the fourth retirement of the day.

While Montoya is occupied with Fisichella, Jenson button is trying to find a way past Felipe Massa, who like his teammate has yet to stop.

Schumacher continues, it would appear that the 'exhaust' call was a false alarm. His times are fine (1:18s) and the gap to Barrichello remains static.

Trulli is running third, 8s behind Barrichello, and 12s ahead of Alonso. Alonso is fourth ahead of Sato, Fisichella, Montoya, Ralf and Massa. Finally Fisi pits (lap 40) releasing Montoya. The Italian rejoins ahead of the two McLarens.

At the end of lap 41, Trulli makes his third stop, while Schumacher laps Coulthard, leaving the McLaren 'for dead'.

Alonso pits, he's stationary for 8.4s, rejoining behind Montoya. Next time around Barrichello makes his second stop of the afternoon, but his crew seem confused, his tyres don't appear to be ready. it's a poor stop (10.4).

Coulthard and Montoya both pit, one destined to finish in the points, the other clearly not.

At the end of lap 45, Schumacher makes his final stop. He's out again in 8.3s, while Sato also pits. Meanwhile Klien is the fifth retirement, it's been a miserable weekend for the Austrian.

Schumacher leads by 10.6s from Barrichello, who in turn leads Trulli, Alonso, Sato, Fisichella and Ralf. Raikkonen makes his third stop while Montoya makes his fourth, the Colombian must have a problem.

The WilliamsF1 remains in its pit as the team works on the car, finally he claims out. After a race that promised so much, it's turned out to be a nightmare for the Colombian. It's a terminal brake problem, so bad that the WilliamsF1 star ran into one of his mechanics.

Thanks to a solid drive, and a couple of retirements, Button is eighth and in the points. The Englishman has 16 laps to make an impression.

At the end of lap 50, Schumacher leads Barrichello by 9.2s with Trulli third ahead of Alonso, Sato, Ralf and Fisichella. Button is eighth ahead of Massa, Webber, Coulthard, Raikkonen, da Matta and Pantano.

More misery for Jordan as Giorgio Pantano pulls into his pit and the crew gathers round the back of the car, fire extinguishers at the ready.

With 11 laps remaining, the two Ferraris are lapping in the 1:18.8s while the rest are lapping in 1:19.5s or more.

Behind Massa, the two McLarens are fighting for tenth. Indeed this is the only 'real' fight that we have.

Great performance from Sato, but also Fisichella has driven a great race.

Elsewhere, Alonso is closing in on Trulli, the Spaniard putting in some very fast laps.

Having been lapped by Jarno Trulli, it looks as though both McLarens are to be lapped by Renault teammate Fernando Alonso.

At the end of lap 61 (out of 66), Michael leads Barrichello by 11.3s, with Trulli a further 18.2s behind. Alonso is fourth, 3.5s behind his teammate, with Sato fifth, ahead of Ralf, Fisichella and Button, who is lapping very slowly in the 1:22s.

Schumacher is cruising to victory, cracked exhaust or not, as Alonso closes to within 2.3s ahead of Trulli. The Spaniard closes to within 1.5s and one can't help but feel that team orders are to be introduced, after all it is his 'home' Grand Prix. However Trulli holds station and takes third, after an exemplary performance.

Michael Schumacher heads towards his fifth win of the season, equalling the record set by Nigel Mansell in 1992. Mansell could have made it six, but got carried away in Canada and accidentally switched off the electrics on his Williams whilst waving to the crowd on his last lap. Clearly Michael hasn't learned from Nigel's example, as he too waves to the crowd on his final lap.

The Montoya/Schumacher fight didn't happen, instead it was Trulli and Sato that gave us the real fireworks at the start.

Schumacher celebrates the 200th race of his F1 career with yet another win, the seventy-fifth of his career, and his fifty-sixth with Ferrari. A solid performance form Barrichello, while Trulli drove a superb race, as did Sato.

As pitpass previously reported, a British bookmaker is already paying out on Schumacher winning the 2004 title, seems like a sensible decision. Despite the strategy, despite the exhaust, Michael made it look easy... and in many ways it was.

Next stop Monaco, and surely only a fool would bet against the German extending his championship lead.

This article was written by pitpass.com and is used with permission.