FORMULA ONE: Italian Grand Prix filled with history, title implications
9 September 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MONZA, Italy - The next two Grand Prix races in the
Formula One World Championship take place on the two oldest racing venues
still in use. This weekends Italian Grand Prix takes place at Monza, a
circuit that dates back to 1922. Then its on to Indianapolis, which was
built in 1909, for the inaugural SAP United States Grand Prix on Sept. 24.
While the track configuration at Monza has changed over the years, the Formula One cars still run on parts of the original circuit. The road course at Indianapolis is, of course, new, but the Formula One cars will also run on parts of the famed oval.
Like Indianapolis, Monza is steeped in history and atmosphere. Monza has played host to 64 editions of the Italian Grand Prix, including every Italian Grand Prix of the modern World Championship, which began in 1950, except for the 1980 race held at Imola.
Set in a walled, wooded park that used to be a hunting ground for royalty, Monza has been the scene of many dramatic races. This years Italian Grand Prix, round 14 of 17, will be an important race in the World Championship.
West McLaren-Mercedes driver Mika Hakkinen leads the championship with 74 points while Ferraris Michael Schumacher is second with 68. Hakkinens teammate, David Coulthard, is third with 61 points and Ferraris Rubens Barrichello has 49.
For Schumacher, who led the points until the 13th race of the season, a victory Sunday would please himself and the sellout crowd cheering on his Ferrari and that of teammate Barrichello.
"Winning the Italian Grand Prix in a Ferrari is special for any driver," Schumacher said, "but right now it would be more special to win this race for the sake of the championship."
Still, Schumacher said the outcome of this race is not crucial for the championship.
"Its important," he said, "but no matter what happens here, the championship is not over, although what happens can make our life easier or more difficult."
Schumacher does not believe that the momentum has shifted to Hakkinen because the latter won the last Grands Prix.
"A success of a race lasts only until the next one," Schumacher said. Schumacher has won the Italian Grand Prix twice while Hakkinens best finish at Monza has been second place in 1995. Hakkinen led last years race until he made a mistake and spun off and handed the victory to Heinz-Harald Frentzen in the Benson & Hedges Jordan-Mugen-Honda.
"I hope I dont have to experience something like that again," said Hakkinen, who was very emotional after losing last years race.
As a McLaren-Mercedes driver, Hakkinen doesnt get quite the support from the fanatical Ferrari fans that Schumacher and Barrichello receive. But, for the most part, the fans treat Hakkinen in a friendly matter even though he is Schumachers closest rival for the title
"There are some fans who are showing you (rude gestures) and are not so friendly," Hakkinen said. "Sometime the emotions can get a bit high. But there are a lot of fans that are fantastic and very friendly and want your autograph and want to shake your hand. Mainly the fans are very pleasant and very nice."
Hakkinen said he is approaching this weekend just like any other Grand Prix event.
"Its really important," he said, "like every Grand Prix. The concentration and preparation here is like it is at every Grand Prix. The target is to get as many points for me and for the team."
Coulthard is also out to score as many points as possible. He is 13 points behind Hakkinen, but the McLaren-Mercedes team has pledged that it will give both its drivers an equal opportunity to win races and the championship.
While much of the focus is on the championship and the Ferrari drivers, the fans of Italian drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli are also on hand to cheer on their national heroes.
Text provided by Paul Kelly
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