| Author | Message | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Junior Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 220 Registered: 11-2002 |
I meant to post this earlier. I thought it was funny  "Drove back in my 360, feeling very contented. But just as slowed down to turn left to leave the Paddock Club car park, a black Mercedes E-class just whisked past from the right and I had to brake to let the 'idiot' go. He was (as you realise the word idiot) Ron Dennis. He was driving, with 2 other guys in the car. I had to take revenge. I overtook him on the highway and I made sure I came very close to his car when I passed. Doesn't he realise, he can never beat Ferrari." | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 675 Registered: 10-2002 |
Pretty cool report, thanks Anthony! Reminded me of a US GP at Indy, where the drivers were taken around in oldtimers (those really old cars from like the twenties and thirties). All open cars of course, the drivers were the proud owners. Then it started to rain. No big deal for the F1 guys, they had umbrellas, but my heart went to the cars' drivers, who had to endure the rain in their superpolished and TLCed old cars. | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Junior Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 218 Registered: 11-2002 |
Here is what Michael's driver's parade driver had to say about his experience: "I talked to Michael but conversation was very difficult because of the loud cheerings and also the fact that he was up on the car and I was down at the driver's seat. The clips from the local news did show me looking back and up talking to Michael just as we were going into turn 1. I showed him the photo that was taken in 2000 when he drove our Queen in my 360. He was quite glad to see the photo and asked me whether I still have the car. He then signed the photo. As expected so many of my friends asked me to get his signature and after a few signings he was reluctant to sign anymore. So I didn't push him because he was very nice about it, "I'll sign these but no more after these...". The friend who got me the drive asked to sign some 5 items (including 2 T-shirts !!) but I just have to oblige, after all he did get me the drive. It was almost impossible to talk because the cheering for Michael was many, many decibels louder than the others. All the track marshalls ran as close to the track as they can, screaming out his name. They just love him here, in Malaysia. And Michael just loved the adulation, I can see that he was waving sincerely at the crowd. Rubens was beside and a little bit behind us and I don't hear his name being called. The fans have only one hero, in Sepang. So there was very little opportunity to "chat". Asked him whether he like Sepang, he said it's a good circuit. Very hot !!. I reminded him that I drove him last year as well. Because of the few spectatorless stretches and the fact that he was on top behind me, the conversation has to be simple. It's difficult to look back and drive at the same time. When we stopped, he was the first to stretch his hand to me, smiled as he said thank you. Makes me feel so grand. At that time I didn't think too much of it but I saw the other drivers just jump out of their car, no shaking hands. Then I realise, Michael really looked at me shook my hand and said thank you. Man, I was really lucky. When I got back and parked the car in the central display area, everyone wanted to take photo with the car, with the name Michael Schumacher sticker at the door. Even the car became a celebrity. I had to wait from 9.00am in the morning in the support paddock before being allowed to go out for the parade at 12noon. By the time the drivers got in and the parade began it was 12.40pm. So the whole morning I was in the support paddock and was not able to see the supporting races from my normal seat. But it was all worth it. Wonder if I will do it again next year?" | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 673 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks Lung for that insight. Cool, that you've been able to drive the real track. I only drove it virtually and came to the same conclusion. Especially the second last corner is IMHO very difficult. Kinda like a double corner where you have to brake halfway through it. Pls post some pics. Anthony, you and you're contacts continue to amaze me. Very cool. | ||
| Lung (Lung7707)
Junior Member Username: Lung7707 Post Number: 132 Registered: 1-2002 |
I will try to get some photos posted. I am sitting at K1 Platinum this year. It is situated at the end of the start/finish straight into turn one and two. Its reasonably close to the track, but because it an open area, there is no need for ear plugs as compared to the Main Grandstands where the engine noise bounces all over the buildings. Its a wide track...25m on the straight, alot of overtaking opportunities all over the track. A very technical track. I have driven on it quite a few times and I still cannot get a couple of corners rite. | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 671 Registered: 3-2002 |
I know fuel makes a difference, but Ralf must have bolted on an extra tank! | ||
| Anthony_Ferrari (Anthony_ferrari)
Junior Member Username: Anthony_ferrari Post Number: 215 Registered: 11-2002 |
I think everyone will be two stopping tomorrow although hopefully the Renaults will have to stop before the Ferraris. I know the guy who will be driving Michael around the circuit during the drivers parade. He owns a 360. The last 2 years he has driven Michael in a Ferrari, but this year it will be a red MGB. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 671 Registered: 10-2002 |
Lung, sounds like another strike of brilliance from the man who made Schumi WC in the Renault, pardon Bennetton: Briatore still has it. How does the track look to you as a spectator? On TV it looks so gigantic, that the cars look more like toys and the track looks very sterile to me, although there are some serious elevation changes. Is it fun? How close do you get? What's the sound like? Where do you sit? | ||
| Lung (Lung7707)
Junior Member Username: Lung7707 Post Number: 131 Registered: 1-2002 |
I am writing this from KL Malaysia. Was at the track today and boy were we stunned when the announcer said Shumi was behind. Renault is also gambling on a wet weather program tomorrow. If that is the case, everyone needs to come in for an extra stop anyway. Weather report is 90% chance of rain. | ||
| izel k. (Ferrarist)
Junior Member Username: Ferrarist Post Number: 169 Registered: 3-2001 |
double or maybe triple pitstop strategy for renaults? anyway it will be interesting to watch a start with renaults on the top 2... | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 902 Registered: 1-2002 |
Alonso is the one to watch in the future, methinks... | ||
| Brad-Mo (007)
New member Username: 007 Post Number: 34 Registered: 2-2003 |
A Renault front row!?! Wow, well if anything we learned that fuel makes a huge difference. The pit strategy will be interesting. Even though P3 and P5 for tomorrow, the Ferrari is most certainly the fastest car overall. Just note the top speed coming into turn 15. A great race is in store. Hats off to Renault for getting the front row. |