As the Formula One circus arrives in Shanghai ahead of the weekend’s Formula 1 UBS Chinese Grand Prix, we remember a classic race in 2006.
In the illustrious, record-shattering career of Michael Schumacher, there were numerous races when he was simply untouchable – the 2006 Chinese Grand Prix was one such occasion.
Just one race earlier – mere moments after winning his fifth Italian Grand Prix – the German maestro had made a tear-filled retirement announcement, but any suggestion that he’d be bowing out of the sport at anything less than the peak of his powers was emphatically dismissed three weeks later in Shanghai.
In truth, a Schumacher victory had looked unlikely after qualifying. Despite winning the previous two races in Turkey and Italy to close in on championship leader Fernando Alonso, Schumacher’s Bridgestone-tyred Ferrari was no match for his Michelin-shod rivals in damp and drizzly conditions. Indeed, whilst Alonso sped to pole for Renault, Schumacher had to be content with sixth on the grid – the only Bridgestone runner in the top ten.
But whilst Sunday morning was another grey and wet affair, those keeping an eye on the weather forecast could see that the race was likely to be rain-free. The track would be wet to start with, but it would likely dry out and – potentially – wipe out the Michelin runners’ advantage.
The field was engulfed in spray as Alonso led Renault team mate Giancarlo Fisichella into the long right-handed first corner at the start, with Schumacher holding fire in sixth. – Formula 1
