Montreal Grand Prix

Schumacher and Ferrari did it! Or should I say the others did it for them? The Montreal Grand Prix on Sunday was one race worth watching live. Enough entertainment for every dollar spent for 90 minutes for all those present to watch the race live. We were so thrilled to know that Schumi will start the race at No.2. 2005 Grand Prix season hasn't been good for the Ferrari team at all - this has been a year of mechanical failures, fuming tyres and failed gear boxes. Both the men and the machine have not been in shape.
Jenson Button made an impressive comeback for BAR Honda by taking the pole position. BAR Honda was banned for the previous 2 races - Europe Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix. As the 5 red lights came on flagging off the race, we witnessed the most sluggish start ever by Michael Schumacher. Jenson Button wasn't very impressive either. The Renault team of Alonso and Fisichella just flew past by that made us wonder what are button and Schumi upto. Turns out the track wasn't very good for the first 2 positions and speculation is that Schumi had a lil trouble with his gear box. Whatever the reasons were, after a reasonable start, Schumacher was careful not to make any unforced errors and resorted to a 3 pit stop strategy. He was never too fast or too slow and stayed at position 6. After lap 35, there was no doubt that position 1 was jinxed. Fisichella, Alonson, Montoya and Button (who were ahead of Schumi) dropped out for various reasons. Alonso comitted the same error as Narain. The way Button kissed the wall reminded me of Ralf's accident at the Monaco qualifying race. Button's error, advantage Ferraris. Schumi took full advantage of the safety car and bridged the time gap between him and Kimi Raikonnen. But he wasn't fast enough and finished second.
The most impressive racing was by Rubens Barichello. Having made a pitlane start - the first in his racing career, he went on to finish 3rd. Isn't that amazing? This man has got that the spirit to fight and to fight till the end. 2 Ferrari drivers to a podium finish - not bad at all! Go Ferrari! Those of you living in the proximity of Indianapolis, please do go see the Indy GP next Sunday -19th June 2005.