Indianapolis 2007
Imi pare rau, va iubesc la fel de mult cum ma iubiti si voi pe mine...iar timpul meu este la fel de pretios ca al vostru. Vreti sa cititi - BINE - nu vreti...LA FEL DE BINE !
2007 was different. It was my 8th GP at Indy but different. Different because Michael wasn't there. My childhood hero, my idol...the BEST DRIVER IN THE GALAXY: Michael Schumacher retired at the end of last year. So naturally, whatever would have happened this year at Indiy, would still have left me unimpressed and ... dissapointed.
Well Ferraris suck. We all know that. And they suck cause Michael and Ross Brawn aren't there anymore. The only way Michael would not have a chance to win was when he was out of the race. With Massa finishing some 13 seconds behind over 70 laps, one would think Schumi could have shown the McLaren's home. And Raikkonen...such a dissapointment this finnish mate.
The drive to indy was fun, yet subdued. Well not really...my trusted, dependable, beautiful, obedient, sexy Baby S was there to lighten the mood . I ran my own "race", pitted twice for rest room stops and to grab a bite and to fullfill my new toxiodependence on Monster Energy Drink.
As I rolled into Speedway (Speedway Indiana is a suburb of Indianapolis) some people started making eye contact with my license plate pointing at the car. He he...It worked. I pull into the parking lot and some local blonde talent was trying to direct me to line up on the 3rd row of cars at the far end of the parking lot away from the entrance. A few sweet words and the Indianapolis babe waves me and lets me park next to the entrance. I was the 3rd car in line, ready to leave the lot. That's the only way to save time after the race is done. In the first year I came to Indy probably I didn't have enough "game" in me...we waited about 3 hours before we left the lot.
There were lkots and lots of Polish folks who probably felt cheated that Robert kubica wasn't there, driving. Not only is Kubica damn good and Polish - we got 2 million Polish in Chicago. But gone were the Colombian flags of yester-year, the jester hats, the beautiful silver flags of McLaren Mercedes. There still was a sea of red, of Michael and Ferrari items, but less so than in the previous years.
The racing was good - midfield runners put up a show. Fissichella had an agricultural experience as did Sato. Someone blew an engine. Ralfie checked out at the first corner - e didn't like the track anyways. So much for being Michael's brother. They sure do not have the same genes...even though they have the same mother and father.
Did I say it was hot ? Driving back was agonizingly slow until I hit I-65 north. On the way home a pack of 3 Corvettes drove past me like I was going in reverse. About 1 hour into the drive it started raining heavily. I blew by the pack of Corvettes like they were going in reverse. After the scheduled refueling, I joined the heavy traffic and made my way home doing team work with a Lotus Exige and an Audi A6. Always great to find traffic mates that you can rely on (complete strangers I might add) but who will instantly recognize in you a worthy road partner and ...basically we all helped each other overtake the slower drivers.
that's it really. Schumi wasn't there racing. I went there with an empty heart and I left with an even bigger void. I felt priviledged over the previous 7 years to see the greatest driver in the world, past present and future exercise his magic...and I tell you what...I was there at his first Indy victory and I was there at his last victory at the IMS. The roar of fans 150-200 thousand of them cheering Michael Schumacher to the checkered flag, whether he was just running another lap or putting the move on McLarens or Renaults - is something the Formula One world will never experience again. I was there and I know how it was and I know it will never happen again.
I miss you Michael ! - Schumi - Simply the Best !
And if I may add...rumor has it...this was also the last Indy F1 race ! Idio-clesstone and Tony George did not agree to a contract renewal. I always felt it - F1 cannot make it in the redneck world.