US GP - Historic one-two for Ferrari
Indianapolis, 2nd July 2006 - Michael Schumacher and Felipe
Massa scored an historic and resounding one-two for Ferrari
at the United States at Indianapolis on Sunday. Starting from
the front row of the grid, they were scarcely headed throughout
the 73 lap, and received a fantastic reception from the packed
grandstands. It brought Michael's tally of victories to five
at the Brickyard, a first time achievement for any racing
driver. Significantly, it meant that only Bridgestone has
ever won the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis.
The temperature was around 38 degrees as the race got under
way, but Michael was beaten off the line by teammate Massa
as they went down into the first corner where he was also
challenged by Renault's Fernando Alonso. Fisichella grabbed
fourth place from Rubens Barrichello. But there was chaos
in midfield and at the back, as two separate accidents claimed
eight cars, including both McLarens, local hero Scott Speed,
Nick Heidfeld who was unhurt after rolling, and Jenson Button.
As the safety car came out, Massa led from Michael, then
Alonso, Fisichella, Barrichello, followed by Jacques Villeneuve,
Ralf Schumacher, and Nico Rosberg from the back of the grid.
When the safety car went in, Michael Schumacher stuck to
the back of his teammate, while the Renaults gradually dropped
away. Barrichello and Ralf were close behind and were soon
joined by Villeneuve while Rosberg, with a heavy fuel load,
dropped away and was soon overtaken by Trulli, who was much
happier with his heavy fuel load.
By lap 15, Michael Schumacher was beginning to drop back
behind Massa. Fisichella's pressure on teammate Alonso told
when the Spaniard was a little slow out of the final corner
and Fisichella was easily able to overtake down the straight,
moving into third place, but over seven seconds behind the
second Ferrari.
Alonso was soon caught by Barrichello who brought Ralf and
Villeneuve with him, the quartet being caught by Trulli who
had left Rosberg far behind. The Williams driver had the battling
David Coulthard and Tonio Liuzzi close behind. Albers completed
those still running.
Barrichello was the first to pit on lap 24, at just the same
time as Villeneuve retired with engine failure from seventh
place. The pit stops began in earnest five laps later, when
Michael pitted first from second place on lap 29 and put on
new tyres. Fisichella pitted at the same time.
Massa pitted a lap later, and the combination of used tyres
and a slipping clutch meant he emerged just behind Michael,
who took the lead when Alonso pitted on lap 31. Michael now
led by 2.4s from Massa in second. The yet-to-stop Trulli was
in third place, while Fisichella was fourth from Alonso. Ralf
Schumacher had overtaken Barrichello in the pit stops.
It was just after half distance that Trulli pitted, rejoining
behind Barrichello in seventh, but all of those ahead would
be making a second stop. Liuzzi also pitted, leaving Coulthard
to concentrate on catching eighth placed Rosberg. The Williams
driver made his only stop on lap 43, and Coulthard finally
stopped on lap 47, now ahead of Rosberg.
The two-stoppers began making their second stops around lap
49, Barrichello pitting first, while Massa pitted on lap 52,
Fisichella and Ralf on lap 53, Michael on lap 54 and Alonso
on lap 55.
The most significant point about the order was that Alonso
was now in sixth place, behind the two Toyotas, both Ferraris
and Fisichella. But as Ralf was being caught by teammate Trulli,
the German driver suffered a wheel bearing failure, which
caused him to retire with just ten laps to go.
Michael's lead came down from 14s to 8s in the closing stages
but he won easily from Massa in second place. Fisichella was
third from Trulli scoring points again. Alonso salvaged fifth
with Barrichello sixth. Coulthard was seventh while Liuzzi's
eighth place meant Scuderia Toro Rosso scored their first
World Championship point. Rosberg was the only other finisher.
Michael's victory means that Alonso lead in the championship
is now 18 points, while Ferrari have reduced Renault's lead
by eight points to 26 points.
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