End Season Review
October 23rd, 2006
The 2006 FIA Formula One world championship has come to an end. Most people will agree that this season has by far been the most exciting in recent times. We have seen close fights in both the drivers and constructors championships, both of which were undecided till the last race in Brazil’s Interlagos circuit. Various changes in rules and regulations were introduced by the FIA before and during the season which added to the excitement. The new qualifying format was a hit with the spectators for sure. Also, the decision to allow tire changes during races helped drivers adopt more aggressive driving styles.
Formula One has lost one of its greatest champions and its most popular personality- Michael Schumacher- at the end of this season. Schumacher has been at his best in his last season. There is no denying that he is physically fit to have carried on for atleast 1 more year. Its probably the psychological factors that led to his decision to retire. Its very tough to keep oneself motivated week after week and test after test.
Fernando Alonso took his second consecutive drivers’ championship. Alonso will be taking a lot of learning from this season. He’s probably learnt that formula one racing is not all fun. The incidents in Monaco, Hungary and Imola and the mass dampers controversy and his alleged remarks against his team would have all added up to educate him on the harder side of life in formula one. This has not been like 2005 where he had built up a nice lead early on in the season and maintained it for the rest of the season. Alonso has gone through a lot of ups and downs in this season. Apart from the controversies mentioned above, the titanic battle with Michael Schumacher would have helped Alonso immensely to improve as a racer. Throughout the season he has absorbed pressure well. He has never given up in any race, always keeping the pressure on the guy ahead. He has shown creativity in overtakings. He has also shown that he is a brilliant defensive driver when the situation demands. He drove one of the best wet races in recent times in Hungary till the mistake from the pit crew undid him.
2007 will probably herald the beginning of the Alonso- Raikkonen era. Let’s hope the new Mc Laren car is decent enough to let this be a close enough fight. There will be some exciting new drivers on the block- Kubica, Rosberg, Hamilton and Kovalainen. Kubica has especially been impressive and with BMW’s steady improvement in this year, he might well end up among the top 5 drivers in 2007. It will be interesting to see how Raikkonen and Alonso adjust to their new environments. With Bridgestone being the sole tire supplier for 2007, the current Bridgestone teams might have early advantage next season. That should make the Ferraris favourites next season. But we all know that Formula One is not as straightforward as that.
The impact of the engine design freeze will be interesting to note. With new teams like Redbull and BMW improving by leaps and bounds, old horses like Williams will have to buck up soon. Otherwise sponsorship money will dry up before they realise what happened. Many people have written off Frank Williams’ team. But I beg to disagree. Frank Williams came up in life the hard way. He started with zilch. He has always been a hustler. He did not give up the sport even after a life threatening accident that left him half paralysed. The man is shrewder than what most people think. He has two advantages going into 2007. His team are on Bridgestones and he has a bright young driver in Nico Rosberg. I am sure he and Patrick Head will look to build on these strengths and help the team put in a better performance in 2007.
All in all, 2006 has been an eventful season to say the least. It has brought back the ‘excitement’ element to the sport. The adrenaline rush is there once more. Michael Schumacher will no doubt be missed next year. But the future of the sport seems to be bright with new rules aimed at cutting costs being introduced in coming years. Also, a host of young exciting drivers hold promise for the future.
Entry Filed under: Formula 1
4 Comments Add your own
1. River | October 24th, 2006 at 3:01 am
Scott Speed , Massa and BMW’s new drivers have been psitive surprises. The 2 Japanese teams, Williams and Mclaren have been BIG disappointments and my guess will continue to be. BMW will enter the BIG 3 next year with Mclaren falling into a “B” team. A team (Mclaren)cannot go from NO wins to a winner in one year and I see no visible signs that they can change their continued downward slide. Toyato will improve, but like every year to date not be consistant . Both Red Bull teams are set to improve, but withall their money and talent will it trasnsform into a win?? Ferrari and Renualt have some big change coming, so they may struggle. Next year may have some interest.
2. clinton bowen | October 24th, 2006 at 4:44 am
The THIRD Japanese team, Super Aguri, has to be happy with Taku’s performance. For a team whose goal was to beat Midland by the end of the year, they accomplished more than what they asked of themselves.
A tenth place finish is much more than what I expected of the guys. I hope to see this team score points next year.
Instead of seeing a Raikkonen-Alonso era, I hope to see that era shared by Kubica and Kovalainen as well. With Kubica putting all his might into getting some podium finishes, I must say that I don’t want him to leave him out of the field.
Fisi….sorry to doubt this guy but he just seems to buckle under pressure.
Devout Ferrari/Schumi fans will have to learn how to cope with Schumacher M.I.A. I most certainly will miss him however I don’t think this is the last we’ll see him, especially with his brother in the paddocks. I wonder if he’s thought about becoming a team owner? Will Ross Brawn be back at Ferrari?
As for McClaren, they need to reconfigure those massive computer banks they have optimizing race performance. They have the winter to work out the bugs.
3. Rob | October 25th, 2006 at 7:47 pm
It’s been a great year, and with the changes happening from the tyres to driver line-ups to the lack of MS, 2007 will be a fantastic season. Nothing is a given next year. Renault could be nowhere. Kimi might flop at Ferrari. McLaren may experience a revival and Alonso gain a 3rd consecutive title. Button could be world champ (that’s a stretch though I guess!). More on my thoughts here.
4. Art | October 27th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I saw Heikki Kovalainen win a race in Paris where drivers from several different disciplines drove similar cars around a figure 8 track. He was very impressive.
I’m looking forward to his debut.
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