2006 October

Now we have to close one chapter and open another one; that’s part of the Ferrari history Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro’s team principal Jean Todt explained after Sunday’s season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

It hadn’t had the conclusion that Todt might have hoped for; even though Felipe Massa had won a convincing home victory, and Michael Schumacher had fought through from last to fourth after a puncture, as Ferrari had won neither Constructors’ nor Drivers’ title and now Michael Schumacher had driven his last Grand Prix.

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Felipe Massa dominated the Brazilian Grand Prix to take an emotional home victory, the first for a Brazilian on home soil since the late Ayrton Senna won in 1993. It was also a great day for Fernando Alonso who took the chequered flag in second position and clinched his second straight title while Renault wrapped up the constructors’ championship.

It was a thrilling conclusion to the year with Michael Schumacher putting in a stunning final drive to work his way back from flat last following a left rear cut tyre, to a fighting fourth position less than five seconds behind Jenson Button who also put in a fine drive for Honda.

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Michael Schumacher remained at the head of the timesheets in testing today at Jerez. The Ferrari driver set a best time of 1:15.688s and notched up an impressive 104 laps as the team put in one final push ahead of the Brazilian finale. Luca Badoer was also in action for the team, recording the fourth fastest time.

Lewis Hamilton did his Brazilian Grand Prix chances no harm at all as the British driver set the second fastest time in his McLaren Mercedes. Regular racer Pedro de la Rosa was fifth fastest in the sister MP4-21.

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