Michael Schumacher will attempt to capture a record sixth formula one driving crown in Indianapolis Sunday at the United States Grand Prix while Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen try to deny the German star.
Schumacher’s September 14 triumph at Monza gave the Ferrari ace 82 points, three better than Colombia’s Montoya, driving for Williams BMW, and seven ahead of Finland’s Raikkonen, McLaren-Mercedes’s top man, with two races remaining.
”The success at Monza has motivated us even more, but we know we’re in a battle and we will not make the mistake of resting on our laurels,” Schumacher said. ”We’re very well prepared and will show our fighting spirit again at Indianapolis.”
Even if Schumacher wins, a top-five finish by Montoya or a top-two showing by Raikkonen will ensure the title chase extends to the final race, the Japanese Grand Prix on October 12 at Suzuka.
Schumacher has won five times this season, but had lost five races in a row since Canada in June before finding winning form again at the Italian Grand Prix.
”Every tiny error can have serious consequences,” Schumacher said. ”Whoever is able to exploit the resources during the weekend will come out on top. The competition is so tight that crossing the line first could depend on each day’s results. It is a great challenge that we take on without fear.”
Leading the challengers is Montoya, who has finished on the podium in the past eight F1 races. The South American star won the Indianapolis 500 in 2000 on the 4km oval, part of which is used for the F1 road course.
”I have some great memories from the Brickyard,” Montoya said.
”The atmosphere is simply fantastic. I consider Indy to be a home race for me, so I feel I must give my supporters a good race.”
The cars will race 73 laps around a course that finishes with the long Indy oval straightaway. Montoya expects his car to have the edge there.
”Our car can definitely do well at the Speedway as the power of the BMW engine suits the long straight, so I am anticipating a close fight with our immediate rivals,” Montoya said.
Schumacher refuses to concede any edge at Indy to Montoya or his BMW.
”We’re geared up for Indianapolis,” Schumacher said. ”A lot of people say it is a track that is more adapted to BMW Williams, but we can’t say that we agree. The same thing was said about Monza but, after a tough fight, we won out.”
That fight carries into the constructors’ title race, where Williams BMW owns a 141-137 edge on reigning king Ferrari.
”We have two main targets to focus on now,” Montoya said. ”The team needs to secure the constructors championship and I have to close the gap to Michael in the drivers standings and, if possible, get ahead of him.”
Montoya wants an advantage heading into the season-ender because he is concerned that the Japanese track favours Schumacher.
”We need to keep the ball rolling and make the most out of this race because Suzuka is a circuit that really suits Michael’s driving style,” Montoya said.
Raikkonen (23) hopes to become the youngest F1 champion. But he will need help moving past Schumacher and Montoya to capture the crown.
”I need to get a good result as we are now at such a crucial stage of the championship, and I will be driving flat out to try and achieve this,” Raikkonen said.
”It is not finished. We will wait until the end of the season. You never know what happens in the next two races. It is more difficult now than it was before, but we can do it. We will do our best and not give up.” — Sapa-AFP