by Erik C. Nielsen
Pictures copyright and courtesy Ferrari Media and DaimlerChrysler Media Services
Kimi Raikkonen finally captured his elusive first win and seemed to put an exclamation point on McLaren being the team to beat this year. The Finn was able to capitalize on his lead unlike France in 2002 and Australia two weeks ago.
In doing so, he made the win look easy, as Ferrari seemed to throw away its chances of a repeat of 2002. Rubens held it together to score Ferrari’s first podium of the new season, but the youngster left him in his dust. Rubens managed to maintain his composure in the car. His more seasoned team-mate (and five-time world champion) looked somewhat less refined than his first appearance in an F1 car years ago driving for Jordan.
Schumacher’s race started off by driving into Trulli going into the first corner of the first lap while trying to hold off David Coulthard. It only went down hill from there, with a drive through penalty, and a couple too many pit stops to try and deal with Bridgestones that seemed to blister too quickly in the Malaysian heat. Coulthard didn’t fare well at all. After getting by the confusion, his hopes of a repeat win were dashed when the electronics went kaput on lap 3 while running second.
Schumacher’s troubles on the first lap also affected Juan Pablo Montoya and Antonio Pizzonia’s race. The Columbian had another BMW-equals-“break-my-wing” moment, and Pizzonia could say that something besides his Jaguar having no competitive soul affected where he ended up in the final standings. Montoya would finish 3 laps down because of the incident: Pizzonia, 14. The reigning world champion finished a lap back in 6th place.
The last spot on the podium was filled by the Spaniard Fernando Alonso who made his first appearance in the top three. Renault captured the front row, but could not hold off the better financed and faster teams. Renault’s result could be the beginning of the team’s revival, but one data point could just be a flash in the pan for Flavio.
One of the surprises of the race was Michael’s younger brother, Ralf, who was set to have a miserable weekend starting off in 17th place. Quietly, he managed to work his way up into 4th place and, more importantly, 5 points in the standings.
After taking a lot of merde from his French Canadian team-mate over the weekend, Jenson Button gave him the virtual one finger salute by finishing 6th. Jacques finished dead last when his BAR Honda gave up its ghost. They fired the team’s leader last year; maybe they’ll take care of the other half of the problem this year. For some fans, the sooner, the better.
And the winner of the worst weekend award: Justin Wilson. The young Britton was trying his hardest, making his way up to 7th, but retired 15 laps from the end with a pinched nerve caused by a broken HANS device. The situation was so severe that he had to be placed on an IV solution line and rushed to the medical center. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Even though the rule changes, or more correctly, the interpretation of the rules, were revised two weeks ago in Australia, the race was hampered by changing weather conditions, were anything could happen. This race was the real debut of how the 2003 season will shape up. Mosley got his wish, things are definitely more interesting. New faces are on the podium, and the racing has gotten closer. Qualifying, however, is now a joke. Even in NASCAR, qualifying is about who has the fastest car. In F1, its now who can start the race with the fastest car. It is a situation similar to who leads the New York marathon for the first mile, unprofessional runners that sprint for TV coverage and don’t even finish the race. Hardly the same tradition in motor sports. At least ALMS and GrandAm are getting some decent coverage, this year. The F1 circus continues on April 6, 2003, at the Interlagos track in Brazil.
Race Results
by Erik C. Nielsen