Hi
I am writing this on a day when i have renounced Formula 1.... This decision comes 56 laps into the first ever Singapore Grand Prix.
It All Started in 1998. As a twelve year old, i was fascinated at the sight of Formula 1 cars blasting through at 300 kmph. There was a certain Michael Schumacher driving a Scuderia Ferrari fighting it out with Mika Hakkinen in a Mercedes McLaren. That was my first brush with the high adrenaline sport of F1, and i've been hooked on ever since.
1999 was special in many ways. Ferrari won their first Constructors- title for the first time in the Modern Era of the Sport. It was an extremely emotional and passionate moment for all of the Tifosi. The tears flowed unabated, a new hero was born, and Scarlet was back in the reckoning. The Horse was Prancing again in all its might and glory. And it would continue to do so for the next five years.
2000 to 2004 - It was all Scarlet.It was all Schumi.
2005 saw the beginning of the end for Schumi. Alonso won the title comfortably that year.
2006 was diferrent. All of us truly believed Schumi was back, and better than ever before. That "One Lap" at Hungaroring was enough for the devoted masses . The race for the title really heated up going into Suzuka, the penultimate race of the season, with Schumi and Alonso tied on the same points. This is when disaster chose to strike, and break millions and millions of Tifosi Hearts.The 2nd Pit Stop - Out of the S curves - And Alas! He gracefully parked it under the Bridge, and walked back to the pit, leaving behind one broken engine, and countless broken hearts, and also his own legacy. Brazil was Schumi's last Lap. He chose the occasion to sign off in style. Kimi Raikkonen was chosen as Schumi's successor at Ferrari, and the master showed the rookie how its done, and what needs to be done when at Ferrari.
2007 gave the Tifosi a reason to cheer. Kimi won the title, rather Mclaren lost it due their internal squabbles. New boy Lewis Hamilton was making a lot of noise - a lot it was the wrong sort.
2008 was deemed to be " The Season" of the decade. It was said to be a 3 horse race for the title. And today, I saw how things are not supposed to be. A billion dollar machine with no direction. Ferrari - once renouned for speed and reliability, are now dogged by issues like engine failures. And believe it or not, they are struggling in the rain. It pains me, infact it hurts and tortures me to look at the state of things in the Scarlet camp. Mistimed pit stops, horrible incidents, and the lack of Passion and fire have led me and another true Ferrari fan to hang up our sunday evening racing boots.
Till then,
Long Live Ferrari, Long Live Tifosi.
And We All Miss U Schumi !!
Bengalooru
28th Sep 2008
