Michael Schumacher won the San Marino Grand Prix after withstanding the pressure from Championship leader Fernando Alonso in the second half of the race. While Schumacher took the chequered flag, it really was a case of a race lost for Renault as much as a race won for Ferrari. The result was Schumacher’s 85th Grand Prix success, the first competitive win since Suzuka 2004. Michael Schumacher ended the Renault’s winning streak, holding off the fast charging Renault of Fernando Alonso for almost final 26 laps.
Into turn one, Schumacher kept his place from button but Massa and alonso passed Barrichello. Albers had a major accident and a safety car was deployed. It looked like this could effect the teams running on low fuel. Once the safety car is gone, Schumi Kept putting on fastest laps and slowly moved away from button. On lap 18 Schumi ’s lead was 10 secs from Massa in 2nd, who is holding of Alonso. Schumi pitted on Lap 20 and Alonso took lead. Alonso pitted on lap 25 and rejoined in P2 leapfrogging Button.
The ferrari drivers look to be struggling for pace in this second stint. The tension mounted as Ferrari suddenly looked vulnerable. Alonso closed into half a second gap from Schumi on the lap 35. Since then Alonso cant find a way past the red car. Schumacher mounted a brilliant defence of his lead, but there’s no doubt his ferrari is suffering from a serious lack of pace. Alonso was called in for 2nd pit stop, despite not needing the fuel, rather than sit behind the Ferrari. But It was decision that cost the team the race win as Ferrari immediately pulled Schumacher in for his second stop and the status quo was restored. Alonso continued to pressure Schumi to little effect and ran wide in the middle of the villeneuve chicane. It gave Schumi some breathing space in the lead. On lap 60, the back end of Renault steps out again and all of a sudden Schumacher had a 2.2s lead. Finally Schumi crossed the line to take victory in Imola.
The win is Schumacher’s seventh victory at San Marino. The Ferrari’s pace was sluggish for the second half of the race but Schumi’s brilliance forced Spaniard to settle for second. I call this Tit for Tat for wat happend in last years SanMarino GP. The Formula One heads of to Nurburgring, home of Schumacher’s in two weeks time for the European Grand Prix. #, #.
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