F1 Fanatic

The championship battle just gets closer – in fact it couldn’t be any tighter. Have a look at the highlights from the national newspapers…

Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / motor sport

Headline	Schumacher a master in the art of revival Button proves his prowess in the wet with bold finish
They say	“The race had earlier witnessed an impressive exhibition of seat-of-the-pants driving by Kimi Raikkonen.”
We say	Good to see Raikkonen get a rare mention.
Verdict

Headline	Schumacher rolls on as tyre trouble weakens Alonso’ grip on title Teutonic sense of humour leaves rivals looking glum
They say	“Michael Schumacher deployed every ounce of his genius and commitment to draw level with Alonso in the battle for the World Champoinship.”
We say	Strangely, the guy who dropped one of Alonso’s wheel nuts didn’t merit a mention.
Verdict

Headline	Schumacher in pole position as Alonso runs into trouble
They say	“If Giancarlo Fisichella’s performance in China yesterday was a guide, Renault are going to be in trouble in 2007.”
We say	Too right. Not that Felipe Massa was necessarily any better, though.
Verdict

Headline	Schumacher on the verge of history Renault error opens door for Schumacher Alonso’s team still confident of victory
They say	“Renault team principal Flavio Briatore raged at the gods and the officials in Italy three weeks agoat the treatment handed down to his team by fate and the stewards..”
We say	The irony was lost on no-one.
Verdict

Headline	“I’m the oldest driver in F1 but fortunately I’m not the slowest” Honda ‘fix’ fury
They say	“Move of race: Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher cut it fine as he took to the grass to overtake Renault’s Giancarlo Fisichella on lap 41.”
We say	Nah – some of Robert Kubica’s were much better. Fisichella couldn’t have made it much easier for Schumacher.
Verdict

Headline	Lead role for Schu as Alonso fluffs his title lines
They say	“Was this the day the champion’s dream of a second title slipped away?”
We say	Alonso fluffed nothing – it was his pit crew.
Verdict

Headline	Schu just over the moon
They say	“‘I had a moment,’ said Fisichella, ‘It was difficult at turn one.’ Big wages, big experience, big mistake!”
We say	Thumbs up for covering the A1 Grand Prix season-opener too.
Verdict

Headline	Schu’s gotta lotta bottle Honda silence the Chinese whispers
They say	“To be fair to the Spaniard there was only one type of weather – drying track – that favoured Schumacher’s tyres and the gods delivered it yesterday,.”
We say	Who’s to say Schumacher didn’t have more dry-weather pace and wasn’t just coasting his Ferrari home?
Verdict

Headline	Frustrated Alonso let down by tyres Masterly Schuey’s class act in China Button happy with late charge
They say	“Takuma Sato was disqualified following the Chinese Grand Prix after ignoring blue flags and blocking faster cars during the race.”
We say	Ironically, given the accusations of collusion between Super Aguri and Honda, this story was illustrated with a picture of Sato from last year, when he raced for Honda…
Verdict