| The 38-year-old Frenchman will be seen off at the Japanese Grand Prix It has somehow become commonplace that the months-long marathon called the Formula 1 World Auto Racing Championship ends with the Japanese Grand Prix. However, this year the Japanese will no longer see the traditional madness that covers the entire paddock - from the riders' personal massage therapists to team managers and important officials of all stripes and ranks, with the waving of the checkered flag signifying the end of the race and the season in general. After all, there is still one more race left - the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Suzuka, being one of the most interesting tracks of the entire championship, has more than once given us the most fascinating racing stories with the most unexpected endings, which sometimes decided the outcome of the fight for the championship title. In 1998, a Ferrari engine that stalled at the start deprived Michael Schumacher of the opportunity to add another individual victory to his long record, and Mika Häkkinen won the championship. The following season, an equally dramatic race brought the Finn a second crown, this time in competition with another Scuderia driver, Eddie Irvine. And there was also the fight that ended last year's Japanese Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen, passing by Michael after such an annoying race for him, said something offensive to him, and Michael, without thinking twice, gave the recent newcomer, who had been so boldly encroaching all season on winning the championship, a hefty slap in the face. The brawl that broke out instantly was broken up by the combined efforts of the mechanics of the two teams. It is not surprising that the subsequent party, organized by the German on the occasion of the next championship, turned into a real pogrom with the participation of both Schumacher brothers.
This year everything will be different. The champion is already known, and the remaining places are practically divided. Some kind of sharpness can only be expected from the confrontation between BAR and Renault, who are vying for the unofficial title of first after Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship. But after Japan there will also be Brazil, so the upcoming race will no longer turn into the last battle. The main event of the Japanese Grand Prix will be the farewell of Olivier Panis - the 38-year-old veteran has decided to end his racing career.
Panis's career began in 1994, when France was swept by a real craze for Formula 1, caused by the victories of Alain Prost. That season the French constituted the national majority - 11 people came through various teams. True, these were either veterans like Philippe Agliau who were ending their careers, or green newcomers, few of whom were able to find a place in F1 next year. But Panis was lucky. The guy was immediately noticed, and his place in Ligier was not in doubt. In 1996, a victory in Monaco, won in pouring rain, attracted increased attention to Olivier, and experts predicted a great future for him. But after a serious accident at the Canadian Grand Prix a year later, he was no longer destined to repeat his success. Despite this, Olivier is considered one of the best pilots of his generation, whose ability to feel and understand technology will still be useful to Toyota - the Frenchman was offered a contract as a test driver for the Japanese stable back in the summer. Olivier Panis is leaving, so next year there will be no Frenchman left in Formula 1. In the entire history of this sport, representatives of France missed only one championship - in 1965.
The problem of the Jaguar team, which was left without the support of Ford, which has completed its sports program, has still not been resolved. "Jaguar" risks leaving the Big Prizes. Only a rich buyer can save him. No rescuers have yet been found, although there is a lot of talk about interest in the stable from companies such as Red Bull, General Motors and even Volkswagen. Not without the participation of the Russians. This time, Roman Abramovich remained on the sidelines, although in the summer there were rumors that the governor of Chukotka was showing interest in Minardi. Now all hopes are pinned on a certain Russian millionaire living in Canada.
True, this mysterious motorsport fan was credited with plans to create a team from scratch on the basis of Dallara, which competed in Formula 1 back in the early 90s of the last century. But now that there is an easier way to get into the cohort of selected owners of expensive toys - that is, famous sports teams, it would be stupid not to take advantage of this chance. It is possible that already next year, when the Russian “Jaguar” rushes past the stands, the audience will sing “Kalinka”. Dmitry SITNIK |
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