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My first Grand Prix experience in my 13 years of following the sport was when I went to Monza last year, thinking where better to start than Italy. However, 2005 was a shocker and, although I loved every minute of my first GP, I loathed the result. I singled out Imola as possibly my best chance to see a Ferrari and Schumacher but the pieces hadn’t fallen into place for a trip to go ahead. However, some unexpected last minute change of plan with the help of my father allowed me to be able to witness this great sporting spectacle.
Upon arriving at my hotel in Bologna I checked up on Friday’s results and it gave me an extra buzz for Saturday knowing that we were in the hunt. With a complete lack of sleep I was at the circuit bright and early ready to soak up the day’s action. With my seat for Sunday booked I chose to explore the circuit on Saturday and went for a simple general admission ticket, intending to watch qualifying from the lawn at Rivazza. For the practice session I was intially at Acque Minerali and walked trackside up to Variante Alta, so I was able to see some great cornering speed at the former and the desperately late braking for the latter. Hearing the engines sing going up the hill to Variante Alta was awe inspiring, and it was an excellent addition to still be able to hear the V10 of the Toro Rosso (even if it is not the same as Monza last year due to its rpm restriction). The seamless shift gearboxes also stood out compared to the spluttering of the other cars with the regular, although still frighteningly fast, F1 gearboxes. Schumi looked as silky smooth as ever while others were distinctly ragged on numerous occasions; Ide was an obvious one with his three spins at Variante Alta and Barrichello was another pushing it too hard through Acque Minerali with several mistakes. Having walked down to the Tamburello I paid my respects to Senna at his touching memorial on the inside of the infamous corner.
Shortly afterwards it was time for qualifying and, quite fittingly, it was time to witness the mantle of the record number of F1 pole positions being passed on to Schumacher. The atmosphere at Rivazza really began to pick up as the times they were pumping in tumbled down to an incredible pace. The difference between the “fuel burn” laps and when they were on a hotlap was the difference between night and day. The way they attack Rivazza was stunning; appearing from over the crest with the undertray buffeting the tarmac before hard on the brakes, glowing as the cars desperately struggle to shave off speed was a site to behold. Half the job was done for the weekend with Schumi grabbing pole (I noticed he was very good at giving himself good track position) and I couldn’t wait for Sunday. Saturday’s crowd gave me an inkling of what atmosphere I could expect the next day, even if not as many turnout as in past years.
Dawn broke on race day and it was another beautiful day without a cloud in the sky. The weather had certainly been a surprise as any forecasts I had followed had maximum temperatures of around 20-22°C, including the race day forecast on Saturday evening. I was somewhat caught out in the 27°C blue sky heat Italy had to offer for this weekend in April. It was good to see the trains crowded and the hoards of people walking through the picturesque town of Imola to the track. I was seated in Tribuna M, opposite the podium, and praying that that day would be the day it would happen for me - to see a Ferrari victory. As the hours ticked by there were concerns for the tyres with continually rising temperatures, plus the antics of the GP2 race left P1 grid slot slippery and threatened Schumacher’s start. After catching a glimpse of all the stars in the drivers’ parade it was the opening of the pits that truly heralded the start of the rising tension. It was just a few short minutes until what looked set to be an amazing 62 laps of the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
Luckily as the lights went out the start went without a hitch and Massa’s progress sent a huge cheer round the circuit. We were all out of our seats willing Schumacher on lap after lap, and I grew complacent after the first round of pit stops seeing as Schumacher was only 7s behind Alonso. I thought it was in the bag but the sudden drop off in pace was worrying and was visible even without at stopwatch (and Massa was closing on Schumi too). The next few laps were a horror show with a hush around the circuit as Alonso hunted Schumi. There was a complete loss of pace and through Variante Bassa he was noticeably staying well away from the kerbs, yet the engine was clearly good as he would stretch out the lead along the S/F straight. Every lap was nail biting and none of us could believe or wanted to believe that we would be robbed of glory on that day. When the two were nose to tail any slight improvement by Alonso would be met by more nervous, edge of the seat viewing, whilst every small extension of the lead by Schumi was met by thunderous cheer.
Two moments before the end made me go wild. Firstly was the second round of pit stops with Renault bringing in Alonso early (something I didn’t foresee) and Schumi’s return to the lead after his pit stop. Secondly was when I knew it was all over; when Alonso went wide at Villeneuve. Very few had seen it happen on the screens as I had but when Schumi came to start the next lap with something approaching a 2s gap we all went crazy! Finally the win we were dying for, and such a sweet win. All the nerves of the 30 laps before were channelled into a great eruption of emotion from all of us as the chequered flag came out.
A track walk later, complete with a small bit of carbon fibre from Albers’ car and my day was complete. One of my life long dreams had come true - a Ferrari win in Italy, with my idol on the top step, and being able to view it all from my seat. It being such a tense race, and the fact that it has taken 18 months since the win in Japan, made it so much sweeter.
Philip Williams.
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