To return to China, though, it is a venue which hasn’t been kind to Michael in the past. When he turns up there on Friday, howver, he will definitely have a little bit of an upper hand.
Schumacher and
Ferrari have been on a roll recently, and they are going to Asia with a psychological edge over Renault and
Fernando Alonso. That should work in their favour.
You can never underestimate any of the big teams however, because they have got the resources and determination and people there to make sure that they can bounce back. And, even if you look at Renault, whatever has been thrown at them - like having to take their mass damper off or being penalised for something - they have fought back and they have done a great job. Don’t write them off by any means.
For the future, things don’t look bad there either and, prior to the Italian GP weekend, the
regie confirmed their driver line-up for next season and that team boss Flavio Briatore has signed a new two-year deal. That is good for consistency and
Heikki Kovalainen should go well alongside
Giancarlo Fisichella too.
Kovalainen has got good potential and has seemingly proved himself in testing. Teams seem to be doing that more and more now, giving them a year as a test driver to make sure they have got the right candidate to put into their race seats. It is a smart move.
I am looking at Fisichella now to roll on as the leader, although he has got the pressure on his shoulders to deliver for
Renault. That is definitely what is going to be asked of him.
McLaren, meanwhile, who will be led by out-going Renault #1 driver Alonso in 2007, and will be hoping to mix it with Ferrari and the
regie this weekend in China.
