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Tuesday, 18 October 2005 |
Shangai Formula One boosted by Fernando Alonso
Formula One got the boost it needed in the 2005 season when a young
Spaniard and his Renault team breathed new life into a sport that was
becoming dull. In breaking the long stranglehold of Ferrari and Michael
Schumacher, Fernando Alonso brought new life into an event that was in
dire need of that competitive spirit and enthusiasm.
With Kimi Raikkonen pushing hard in his McLaren, Fernando
Alonso was made to wait till the third-last race of an enthralling
season in Brazil before claiming a title he had been chasing since he
began the campaign in Melbourne in March. However, in the end, they
both scored seven victories.
Renault wrapped up the constructors' title at the final race in Shanghai, with McLaren having to settle for second.
The shattering of Ferrari's monopoly was not the only shock for the
money-rich sport in a year that saw Turkey make its debut as a Formula
One host. A fiasco at the US Grand Prix in June badly tarnished the
Formula One image, after 14 drivers boycotted the event due to safety
concerns after Michelin brought incorrect tyres to Indianapolis.
Disgusted spectators threw missiles at the remaining drivers from the
three teams running Bridgestone tyres. Many walked out on the race and
demanded their money back.
Despite this terrible lesson in public relations, the event is
expected to continue in 2006 although whether any spectators show up
remains to be seen. Michelin are offering 20,000 free tickets to entice
them back.
Formula One's future was also plunged into doubt when the
threat of a breakaway series emerged. Some teams complained that
Formula One's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone has not been giving
them a big enough share of the millions of dollars that are made from
the marketing and TV rights of the sport.
The dispute will no doubt continue in the off-season, although
Formula One chief Max Mosley has said he is confident that lack of
finance will make it highly unlikely a rival circuit will get started.
The 2005 season will also go down in history as the last for
Jordan, Minardi and Sauber in their present formats. Red Bull has taken
over Minardi, which will now be known as Squadra Toro Rosso, while
Russian businessman Alex Shnaider is to run Jordan, which is being
re-branded as Midland F1 next season, and Sauber was bought out by BMW.
Despite the many issues facing Formula One in its longest-ever
season, the dashing Fernando Alonso at least managed to bring back some
of the excitement that has been missing in recent years.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 October 2005 )
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Motor Sports 
