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On Thursday, August 29, 1996, during the afternoon, Michael Schumacher is at the Monza Autodromo to complete Ferrari tests ahead of the Italian Grand Prix. The German driver says, sticking his head out of the box:
"My gosh. I am late, it’s time for the Grand Prix again".
Grandstands full of crowd, queues at box offices, the rush behind the paddock would have deceived anyone. The Schumi-Ferrari fever, after the victory in Belgium, rose to certifiable temperature: 13.000 payers and a crowd of Portuguese people that climbed over each fence. Almost 20.000 people in total to see three cars run occasionally (there are also Minardi and Sauber), between long intervals. The national Autodromo transforms in a kind of bull ring surrounded by a bullfighting atmosphere. Lavaggi runs: applause. Frentzen comes out, handclapping. Ferrari remains at the box: desperate whistles. Hundreds of people, without any authorization, flock the pit lane. Policemen, carabiniers, financial police watch. Supervisors open the gates to friends: it is complete anarchy, it is crazy. Then, finally, Ferrari is ready. For the German, mechanics adapt the car driven by Irvine in the morning. It took an hour and half. The crowd is turbulent, cannot wait any more. When Schumacher makes the engine roar, it is an outbreak, of trumpets and screams. Tests become a show, more for fans than for the protagonists on track. The Ferrari man that shows the times becomes the hero of the day. He uses the sign as the matador waves the muleta. He gradually reveals the result. If the time is high, the grandstand explodes in booing. If it is low, it is a triumph. A game that lasts until a furious storm comes down on the Autodromo, cooling down every enthusiasm. The last roar, before thunders fill the sky, is however still the one of fans when Michael shows up and waves hello a couple of times. Schumacher stops to talk with his engineer, Ignazio Lunetta, then grants an interview to reporters, now soaked under the heavy rain. Summary of the day:
"Just a few checks ahead of the race: strategies, fuel consumption. I didn’t work on the set-up, I will do that tomorrow if the weather allows us".
Were you impressed by the crowd?
"I asked to mechanics if something happened, if it was race day. Incredible, the number of people there. Thirteen thousand? Was it free? No? And how much they paid? Fifty thousand lire? Just like when I tested in Silverstone with Benetton. Over there it was already so much so that there were 120 people. Just the rain looks the same".
What did you do after the victory in Francorchamps?
"Two days at home, with family, at Kerpen. My parents live among threes, I spent half a day completely alone in the forest. Of course, I was not completely alone, I had my dogs, Jenny and Floh. And to think that a crowd of paparazzi was waiting for me at my new house near Ginevra. Maybe next time".
Did you receive many calls, even from Agnelli?
"To say the truth no. Because I turned off all the devices. I was unreachable. I am doing quite well, the leg doesn’t hurt when driving, but I can’t go jogging or cycling".
What do you expect in Monza?
"Sadly, not great things. We have many problems concerning the gearbox and around the transmission. We are on the brick. I have good reasons to be realistic. After the race in Belgium, apart from the hole in the chassis maybe caused by a rock, we found significant problems on the car".
Evidently something was about to break. And that is the reason why Schumacher is pessimistic:
"It can’t be otherwise. Fans must prepare for a difficult weekend. I know that after Belgium they await miracles, a very competitive Ferrari. Instead, I can’t either say that we will be in the conditions to finish the race. We hope that everything goes better than I think. Generally, I am wrong in predictions".
And this is the only sentence that offers signs of hope. There is nothing new for Ferrari to test in Monza in sight of the Italian Grand Prix. Indeed, to save pieces, the Maranello team returns to the old ones. Old rear slide and suspension, six speed gearbox. Only on Friday, maybe, latest versions of aerodynamic and mechanical details will be employed. The Maranello team order includes saving above all 7-speed gearbox: three of them were built, two broke in Spa. They are working a lot to produce others. Schumacher, in any case, is clearly the fastest: 1'25"14. Irvine follows with the other Ferrari, 1'27"15. Then, Frentzen (Sauber 1'27"65) and Lavaggi (went off track twice with Minardi, 1'30"83). On Friday, the joy continues for the Ferrari fans. A few people know that caps and t-shirts by Schumacher are produced in Sanremo. Ars got the exclusive for the distribution of the products in Italy and in France, leader company in the sector that at the beginning of summer has been protagonist of a joint venture with the German house that usually takes care of the image of the Formula 1 World Champion landed this year in Ferrari after his successes in Benetton. And the contract includes selling the special clothing line signed by that Michael Schumacher at circuits, in shops and on the highway network. The German always had a particular relationship with the city of flowers and the Riviera, enough to be a regular visitor of the market at Piazza Eroi and of the kart track at Arnia di Taggia. Ferdinando Ottaviani, manager of Sanremo’s Ars, explains:
"We’re working hard for the Italian Grand Prix, in Monza, 2.000 caps have already been ordered, not to mention the t-shirts and all the other products. We’ll be there with two booths, directly coming from Sanremo".
So, an increase of work?
"I would say a considerable one, also in light of a great investment that had to do in order to have the exclusive and be manufactures under licence at the same time".
Indeed, precisely last June, Ars also signed a contract to manufacture their own gadget with Schumacher’s sign. And immediate effects of the operation have been two new jobs at Ars and four more in a supplier company.
"In addition to stands on tracks and selling in auto grill, we also have a mail order business, a channel we never used before. Precisely these days, on a well-known specialist magazine, an attachment with all the clothes pertaining to the Schumacher line will come out, as well as the related coupon with our Sanremo addresses".
For the moment, Ars bought four designs of the clothing line combined with the image of the Formula 1 World Champion, managed by a young German woman, the daughter of the driver’s manager. And within a few weeks, this led to the mass production of polos, t-shirts, gilets, tags and driver suits for children, too. The work is guaranteed for the company from Sanremo, protagonist of this national exploit. Schumacher has been a safe investment, even if it will depend on how things will go on track. The fanbase world is like that: already after the victory in Belgium, and in sight of the Monza race, the number of orders increased dramatically. Tickets for the Italian Grand Prix, meanwhile, are almost unobtainable, at least grandstands ones. And it must be remembered that the organizers of the Gran Prix increased the capacity of the National Autodromo in terms of seats. They became 40.000 with the adoption of new structures placed at Serraglio, at Ascari, on the inside and opposite to Parabolica, at Lesmo. And thinking that costs are considerable: from a minimum of 150.000 lire for less preferable seats, to 400.000 for Centrale, only for the race on Sunday. In most cases, besides grandstands, maxi screens have been placed from which is possible to follow the race. The Italian Gran Prix organization costed overall 23.000.000.000 lire, included the amount that is paid to FOCA for teams’ contract. But from this year, banners and media rights belong to Ecclestone on behalf of FIA, for which A.C. Milan (that manages the event on its own) will have to make do with the cash obtained by selling tickets and on some pre-existing advertising contracts. Last year, in total, the income was 30.000.000.000 lire, this time is hoped to be even more. Also because the 80% amount is required for Formula 1. The rest is used for the annual maintenance of the facility. Two are the principal problems that Beghella Bartoli, Autodromo director, will have to deal with: tickets check (last year many were fake) and blocking fans that climb over walls and cut fencing: only in 1995, 600 meters of fences had to be replaced because they were inevitably destroyed by abusive pincers. Among control and ticket selling, 10.000 people will be employed. Other difficulties to overcome: the final invasion of the crowd after the race: dangerous and able to cause millions of fines by FIA. While in Italy the cheer for Michael Schumacher increases day by day, in England Frank Williams seems suddenly unmovable, and leaves all stunned when he declares:
"I do not want to see Damon Hill any more".
And, unless improbable second thoughts of the constructor, next year the English driver must change team. What happened? On Wednesday, August 28th, 1996, Damon Hill sends his manager, Michael Breen, to Frank Williams’s office. As soon as he arrived, the manager of the driver poses the handbag on the desk of the British constructor, he opens it, he leans back on the chair and says:
"Well, our request starts from 15.000 dollars, Frank, if you want to make your offer to keep Damon next year, it should start from here".
Frank Williams stayed in silence for some time; his nurse is with him and will tell this story. He remains like that for two minutes. Then, Frank Williams looks at Breen and says:
"Michael, when you will come back with a price and a reasonable proposal, I will be glad to talk with you. Meanwhile, that is the door. I would appreciate it if you took off the handbag from my desk and leave my office".
If Damon Hill had gone in person to Frank Williams, he would not have obtained what Breen was asking, but he would have anyway obtained a lot of money. This becomes a serious error of judgement from Damon. Breen will not come back. The news, anyway, was in the air for a while. In the environment, though, it was believed that the two parties would have come to an agreement at the end. Instead, nothing. On Sunday, September 1st, 1996, Michael Breen, lawyer of the thirty-five-year-old driver, lets officially known that Williams unilaterally interrupted negotiations to renew the collaboration. And also, he specified the reason of the separation: Williams does not accept Hill’s request to rise the contract over 3.000.000 pounds per year for 1997.
The lawyer Breen cut the discussion on Sunday, in occasion of Belgium Grand Prix, stopping three days at Francorchamps. But he returned home without the slightest progress, only a sequence of rejections. Damon was already earning lots of money and, with the prospective to become World Champion, asked an adjustment. Now Hill is deepening the contacts he already had with McLaren, Jordan and Stewart Racing, which debut next year, obviously guided by former World Champion Jackie Stewart and his son Paul Stewart. Anyway, the most probable hypothesis is that Hill ends up at McLaren: Ron Dennis, the team’s boss, needs to absolutely start from scratch with the image of his Scuderia, which does not win a race in the last three years. Alain Prost, tester, and adviser of McLaren on behalf of Mercedes that provides engines (and that will have a greater influence since the start of the next season, given that cars will be painted in silver), always claimed that:
"Damon is the best to work on the set-up of a Formula 1 car, much better than Häkkinen and Coulthard, current drivers".
But the British constructor decided to throw him out. Shadows on the World Championship: now will Villeneuve benefit from this? Apart from the German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, hired for 1997, for what concern the current McLaren driver, David Coulthard has a two-year contract, thus he would be reconfirmed, while Mika Häkkinen must find another seat. And there is who, also referring to some admiration declaration by lawyer Agnelli regarding the Finnish, anticipates a future in Ferrari. Anyway, it is difficult to understand how and when, given that the Maranello team confirmed Eddie Irvine for 1997. Frank Williams announced in Hungary the reconfirmation of Jacques Villeneuve, while he did not even once mention the other driver. It is obvious that the British manger has other ideas. The aim is to focus on the talent of the young Canadian, supporting him with a teammate able to stimulate him and eventually faster. For this reason, it initially seemed that Williams had already chosen, already in 1995, the German Heinz-Herald Frentzen (former teammate of Schumacher in Mercedes, when both raced with sport cars; but the news will be refuted right by the German driver, in Monza), and indeed he will be the new driver of the English team. Frentzen, 29 years old, of Moenchengladbach, now in Sauber, is considered one of the greatest talents of Formula 1, even if unexpressed until now for lack of competitiveness of the cars at his disposal.
It is clear that, with Villeneuve and him, Williams intends to build a team able to fight Ferrari. The English constructor thinks that the Maranello team, with Michael Schumacher, next year will be a terrible rival and wants to prepare the counterattack. Frank Williams never looked at anyone’s face before taking his decisions. Since 1980, his team won five Drivers' World Championships, but never with the same constructor. Indeed, after victories, there have always been turbulent separations. Except for Alan Jones, who won the 1980 World Championship and decided to leave, Nelson Piquet, Keke Rosberg and above all Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost were thrown out, due to their requests considered exaggerated. The announced divorce between Williams and Hill, three races before the end of the season, with the English leading the standings with 13 points on Villeneuve, does not contribute to clear the air. Already during the past few weeks, there were talks of a possible sabotage of the team against Damon. It is enough a less accurate setup of the car (the constructor title is already widely won) or to provide better materials to the Canadian, and the game could be over. The only certain thing is we will see nice things, the conclusion of the World Championship will be tense and very hard: the English driver of fragile moral against a charged and supported Villeneuve. The answer coming from Williams will not take long, the next day they make it known that, until the end of the season, they will guarantee to Hill the same treatment reserved to Villeneuve:
"Both will be able to rely on the same equipment: the team is calm because both have the same opportunities to win the World Championship".
As for Frentzen, he should have already signed the contract with Williams, and they should present him during the week.
While the Formula 1 circus holds court in the Williams-Hill divorce, the appointment of Italian Gran Prix rapidly approaches. The first cars arrive on Wednesday, September 4th, 1996, at national Autodromo, where on Thursday afternoon technical checks will take place. Among the early arrivals there are also three Ferraris, which on Tuesday, September 3rd, 1996, have been tested by Nicola Larini in Fiorano. Schumacher’s two single-seaters (race and backup car) with the seven-speed gearbox, and Irvine’s one with the old six-speed transmission. The Maranello team was not able to immediately prepare the last version of F310 for Eddie, however updated in aerodynamics and in the suspensions. And on Thursday, in-extremis, they will anyway try, always on the track that is near the Racing Department, to run a third model of the new gearbox. In case of a positive outcome, it could be mounted on the car of the British driver. After having won at the debut in Belgium, here is the test of truth for the latest technical innovations of the Italian team. The designers of the Maranello team, after the tests of last week, adopted some different solutions for what concerns used materials, with the purpose of improving reliability, which has been the main problem of Ferrari since the start of the season. Michael Schumacher explained:
"The problem is not about the choice of the number of speeds but the structure of the gearbox itself, which suffers from some inconveniences related to the global performance of the car. There’s always the will to improve it. But before each race, doubt will remain until when we don’t have the certainty of having found and resolved the source of all problems".
For the World Champion, in any case, the Monza track does not suit the Ferrari of this year.
"With the seven-speed gearbox, two or three tenths of a second can be gained. But the track, made of straight linked by rather slow curves, will help other teams. We have the advantage of having practised in the Autodromo, and we hope to exploit this advantage. The seventh speed can be inserted two times, but this solution allows me above all to use shorter speeds and to maintain engine high rev".
Schumacher, therefore, remains grounded, yet promising the maximum commitment. He does not want to deceive fans, but if he arrives at the end, he will be on the podium. In the meantime, it is made known that Damon Hill will hold on Thursday, at Monza, a press conference. What will the World Champion say? It is easy to predict: he will say that he does not believe in a possible sabotage from Williams, that beyond any consideration, he has complete confidence in the team, that his chances to win the championship remain untouched. And what else could the thirty-five years old from London say? A conference against his team would only aggravate the results. The driver is very concerned. Only with the World Champion won he will have the possibility to choose a team to his liking among those available (and these are not much: McLaren, Jordan and Stewart). On the contrary, apart from seeing a lot of money disappear, the English really risks remaining without a seat. He would be too expensive for anyone. And turning around, when you do so many requests, becomes very hard. The game that is developing around Hill in fact involves huge interests. After the announced withdrawal of Renault at the end of 1997, it is open hunting to engines. With Villeneuve and Frentzen, Williams will be able to focus on the Honda engine and maybe even on BMW, if the German company decides to return to Formula 1. But even important sponsors are on the line: Marlboro, after having ended his relationship with McLaren, relies a lot on Ferrari and Schumacher. But they have an eye even on Villeneuve, considered a promising element for the following years. In short, the market is in ferment at every level. But neither a surprising end of the story can be excluded: working cut-price Frank Williams could have forced Hill to look around and understand that he will not go far alone. So he will try to stay where he is, but under the conditions imposed by the constructor. Meanwhile, though, the British manager Frank Williams hits hard: the day before the start of the Italian Grand Prix, he announces the hiring of Heinz Harald Frentzen. The German, as said, will join Jacques Villeneuve in 1997. Another setback for Damon Hill. If there was hope to settle the controversy with the constructor, reducing economical pretensions, now the English driver is for real in a difficult situation. The choice of Frentzen, made by the team which has already conquered the Constructor World Championship this year, is part of a strategy in the short and middle term.
The German driver, 29 years old, born in Moenchengladbach, of Spanish mother, never won a race since his arrival in Formula 1 in 1994. But he is considered very fast. Frank Williams relies on him to conquer the Constructor World Championship again next year, together with his young Canadian teammate. But above all he hopes to be having hired the anti-Schumacher, considered the most dangerous enemy of the next years, paired with Ferrari. Frentzen, together with the two times World Champion and the injured Karl Wendlinger, in 1992 represented one of the prominent elements of Mercedes team in the prototypes' championship. The three fought first in the German Formula 3 (year 1989, victory of the Austrian Wendlinger by a point on Schumacher and Frentzen, paired at second place). Someone claims that then Heinz-Harald was better than Michael. But, indeed, the true value of Schumacher (who meanwhile goes to Barnard to prepare his seat for the 1997 car…) was discovered only when he arrived in Formula 1. Among other things, after being good friends, the two did have no idyllic relationship, since former girlfriend of Frentzen, Corinna, ended up marring Schumacher. Anyway, in agonistic terms, until now, the new acquisition of Williams appeared weaker than the compatriot at Ferrari. He has a Latin temperament and thus seems to be less focused during the race, more discontinuous. So much so that Williams makes him sign a contract of one year. First, they want to see him under pressure. And meanwhile he saved a lot of money: if the rumours that circulate in the circus are true, from the about 30.000.000.000 lire asked by Hill, we move to the 4.500.000.000 lire paid for the hiring of the German driver. Someone claims that Frentzen could even be a good reason to obtain an engine made in Germany (BMW?), when Renault at the end of 1997 leaves Formula 1. But these, at least for now, are only rumours and Williams, given the results obtained, will anyway have the chance to count on the best option that the market will offer. With this news, the anticipation for the Italian Grand Prix increases. Reasons of interest increase, and organizers expect a record crowd and income.
"Frentzen at Williams? I am happy for him. He is a fast driver, very good. It will be exciting racing next year".
Michael Schumacher ends with a few words and great kindness the chapter about former rookie teammate, at Mercedes. And then he also spends a few words for Damon Hill:
"He has a good car, he fought until the end for the title for two years, I do not see why he could not win it this time".
Then the German driver is asked again how things will go for Ferrari at Monza.
"After the result of Hockenheim, in a circuit similar to Italian Grand Prix one, and after tests we did here, I’m quite pessimistic. After all, I do not want to put the fans under bad illusions. We will see on Sunday, we won’t be sure of nothing until the last meter, assuming we arrive there. I believe there will be many cars that will go fast on this track".
Schumacher tries to lower expectations, and he is right. Jean Todt shows himself less pessimistic:
"Our problem is the gearbox. Schumacher will have the 7 speeds one, Irvine will drive a car on which is mounted 6 speeds one. We had to make choices because there is not much material available. However, there have been progresses: recent breakages occurred because of mechanical failures and too high temperatures. We improved. As opposed to Michael, I don’t want to be neither optimistic nor pessimistic, but realistic. Our aim is to place a car in the first two rows and the other in the first three, tomorrow in qualifying. For the race, two single-seaters in the points and possibly on the podium".
The hot weather and favourable weather forecast will not be on the Ferrari side.
The advantage coming from the several tests done in the last weeks could be cancelled by a single test session. Jean Todt adds:
"In any case, even if we already obtained what we wanted, that is two victories, this does not mean we stop. There are three races left, and we want to obtain good results, starting right from Monza. This is the circuit of Ferrari: we have not the claim to win but leave us at least the dream".
About the Hill-Frentzen story, the French manager calmly comments:
"We do not work in function of the formation of other teams. Independently of the quality of other teams, Ferrari still has to improve, because we are not at Williams level".
Meanwhile, it is little talked about McLaren, which until now has confirmed only Coulthard. And about the Scottish, it is known that silicon trend arrived even in Formula 1: Davis’s girlfriend, the beautiful but very slim Andrea, booked an appointment in a specialized clinic: he wants to get his glutes reinforced, because he thinks right now he has a reduce aerodynamic. On Thursday, September 5th, 1996, thousands of fans fill the national Autodromo grabbing for hours in the nets only to see some Formula 1 character passing by. Above all, Ferrari and Schumacher are closely followed, to the point that the German is forced to enter the paddock aboard of an Ulisse, under guard, almost disguised. But even the protagonists of the title fight, Hill and Villeneuve, are carefully followed by looks, applauses and screams, after recent events. The young Canadian left alone the rival. He arrives late, with a big smile printed on his face, wearing sunglasses instead of the usual contacts, dishevelled, like he was a tourist. Instead, Hill is forced to face a press conference in the early afternoon in front of a lot of television operators, photographers and reporters. The British driver looks determined but sad. Exactly the opposite of Frentzen who will replace him in Williams: stunned, smiling but afraid, the German, as if he put himself into something too big for him to handle.
"I speak now, because then I have to take care above all of the race and the World Championship. Frank Williams talked to me by phone last Wednesday and said that at the end of the season I will not be part of this team any more: I am sorry, I am very disappointed. But this doesn’t mean raising a white flag. I will fight for the title and to still win races. I’ve reached 20, I hope to arrive at 23 with the races left this year".
Are you afraid that now Williams can favour Villeneuve, since he will stay also for next season?
"No, I don’t. Frank and the technical responsible Patrick Head assured me the maximum support and the same material of my teammate. I believe them, they are sportsmen. Jacques is strong, he is young and represents the Formula 1 future, but I believe I’m able to play right all my chances even because I still have a good margin of advantage".
Meanwhile, Renault lets known that they will give same engines both to Hill and Villeneuve: no favouritism. Instead, many at Williams are not sure about that: in 1981, the last race in Las Vegas, Reutemann could have won the title, but he had a discussion with the team and his Williams suddenly became unstable, undrivable. Thus, the World Title went to Piquet. A test case that makes us think, even if Hill does not want to hear about it: he looks ahead, at the title he has at hand. And then?
"I don’t think about America, the way Mansell did. I don’t care. I’m having talks, there are good opportunities, I can put my experience at the disposal of a team that want to grow and win. I do not think I will have problems to find a good place. Anyway, I never talked with Ferrari: I only read on some newspapers some creative negotiations with the Maranello’s team. Inventions. Before the hiring of Schumacher, maybe there could have been a possibility. Now is a closed matter, even if it means a lot to all drivers, such an important name".
But why has Hill been defenestrated in favour of a Frentzen who did not win anything yet?
"Honestly, I don’t know. It has not been a matter of money. We were discussing as civilized and sensitive people. Ask Frank Williams. Then we’ll see who was right".
Called into question, the German, confused, almost incredulous, says:
"It’s not true that I had already signed an option in 1995. I signed last week. I had other offers, and it was a good idea to wait until the end. It is a great challenge, I’m honoured of the choice, I am convinced in 1997 there will be great hard-fought races. Even with Schumacher and Ferrari. But it will not only be a fight among Germans: the battle could become very uncertain and with many ambitious protagonists".
The drivers’ market that turned on before the Italian Grand Prix seems having involved now even Alesi, which many leave Benetton to move to Jordan. The French and the team officially deny the hypothesis. But Radio Box insists: it is said that Ecclestone wants to see Hill in a competitive team, Benetton, indeed. The English pay-tv ITV, which paid 60.000.000 dollars for a year, would like to see the English, above all if he will be World Champion, on a winning car. Another chapter of the story still to be written, even if it will be difficult to change the situation. While waiting to see what the Maranello team will do in the second session of practice, and above all during the race, the circus continues to rely on the Hill-Villeneuve fight for the title. On Friday, September 6th, 1996, the Canadian is ahead of the English. But Jacques used new tires, while Damon not. And this is an important detail. The battle is at all levels: agonistic, technical, psychological, dialectic. Damon Hill says at the end of practice:
"I am glad, because I found the team very determined, and I had the impression that everyone was the usual to me. I do not think about the World Champion, though. I just concentrate on the next curve, the next lap. A thing is sure: if I win the World Champion, I’ll dedicate it to myself. Do you want to know what kind of character is Frank Williams, in three words? An inscrutable man".
After all a gentle definition, given that the constructor, when asked why he fired Hill, answered:
"Because next year I need a fast driver".
And even Schumacher, to put it this way, pays one last tribute to the English thirty-five years old:
"I think that for him, changing the team will be a good opportunity. Thus, he can demonstrate that it’s not true that he wins only because he has the best car".
Even Jean Todt, in charge of Ferrari races team, while interviewed during the event resisted to the question, but then ends up answering, making sort of a gaffe:
"I think that Hill will win the title. In the past, it happened to me that I had to renounce to a World Champion. I want to have the same opportunity next year, with Ferrari…".
A warning for Schumacher? No, only a wrong interpretation. Todt evidently wanted to say he would like to choose which of the two drivers at disposal would win. The problem does not seem to concern one of the directly involved, Jacques Villeneuve. With the air of a professor, the young Canadian speaks clear on his intentions. Once again.
"I am here to fight against Damon. Evidently, on track, outside we can even be good mates. But I can’t say we are friends. Everyone minds his own business. And if I had to hang out with someone in the environment, I would go out to dinner with Mika Salo. We were both racing in Japan".
Beyond the title fight, what does Villeneuve think of his next year teammate?
"I know Frentzen a little. I know he is fast. For sure, he is an unknown. Of Hill now I know well strengths and weaknesses. However, I do not care much, the only certain thing is that I will not be the number two of the team. It is enough if they give me the same material".
It is true that many teams wanted to hire you?
"Already during last season. But I signed a two-year contract with Frank Williams. For which all is settled, even the payment. When it will be the case of starting other negotiations, we will see. I do not like this story of agreements that are worth nothing. Then it would be useless to sign: I intend to respect my commitments and I wished others did the same thing".
Still three races, how many possibilities do you have to recover 13 points from Hill?
"I want to defeat him. It doesn’t matter where and when. I will do my best. Here in Monza, in Estoril, on a track I really like, in Suzuka, which I find really entertaining".
And, as usual, Jacques confesses to his manager Craig Pollock:
"My crazy desire? Beating Damon by a point in the last race".
Schumacher divided in two the practice day. In the morning, first session, he prepared the car for the race. Then the German driver worked for qualifying. After having obtained - on lap 21 - the best time (almost 0.5 seconds less than the time he ever obtained in several tests done on the same track), the German driver says:
"It went better than expected. But my Ferrari is not OK yet: I had a problem with the steering wheel, and even the set-up is not perfect. We have to work".
It is a vice (or a value?) of champions, that of never being happy. Ferrari fans screamed and booed until the World Champion reached the pit wall to wave with large gestures of arms. And an applause broke out, rocking the old grandstands of the national Autodromo.
In sight of the Italian Gran Prix, ahead of tens of thousands of fans, in fact, Ferrari roared strong. It is true that the first day of free practice does not count in terms of concrete effects on the race, but when the first (Schumacher) and fourth (Irvine) times are obtained, there is something that looks good. Even because the time set by the German is by a whisker under the one that allowed Coulthard to conquer the pole position last year. Schumacher says, smiling:
"I am a bit surprised, too. Now I can admit it. Yes, we can fight to start on pole position. As opposed to what happened in Hockenheim, on an equally fast and similar track, we took some steps forward. This doesn’t mean that now we are faced with a downhill road: we wait to see what the others do, Williams, McLaren and even Benetton. For us, there has been the advantage of previous tests and of being able to use tires that, unlike what happened in the last races, have been prepared on the base of our tests".
The story behind special tires creates some whispers at the boxes. Even because Villeneuve complained about the fact that when he mounted on his Williams fresh tires, the car got worse. But it is normal in Formula 1: Goodyear sets up tires in different circuits with present teams, and then provides it to all for race weekend. In this case, it is about quite hard tires because the asphalt in Monza has a good grip. Michael Schumacher will be the most careful and closest eyewitness of the big tension between Hill and Villeneuve. The driver and his Ferrari will start in third place at the Italian Grand Prix, behind the Williams couple. On Saturday, September 7th, 1996, the German did everything to get a pole that would have unleashed the enthusiasm in Monza. But we could not ask the impossible after he already flew over curbs and performed tricks like in Rally. The seal to the fastest lap was put by Hill, with a time of 1’24’’204, at an average speed of 246.686 km/h, for the eight time since the start of the season and the 19th in career, the English detached all rivals. A good start for a hard race like Monza, charged with tensions. Damon could even close the argument for World Championship two races in advance. If he wins and Villeneuve does not arrive at least third, it will be reachable. Very challenging race, it was said. That is how the Saturday was with qualifying, with a splendid sun disturbed by a strong wind. And it happened many things. During the morning in free practice Villeneuve, while braking at Parabolica, had a fight with Diniz’s Ligier, while he was trying to overtake. He went off track and ended against the guardrail. No physical damage but he lost a lot of time to set up his Williams again. In the afternoon, under stopwatch, with the best partial result, he had to take a chicane straight in order not to hit Lamy’s Minardi. Jacques was furious above all with Diniz. He says in the press conference:
"I don’t understand how they can give the super licence to a driver that is only able to take millions of dollars to his own team, thanks to his rich father".
The FIA does not like the statement, so much so that they summon the Canadian and reprimand him. We needed something more to add to the general confusion. It’s also strange the behaviour of Williams and its manager at this moment. On Hill car, it was mounted a new exhaust for the Renault engine. On Villeneuve one (to replace the damaged material due to his incident) was installed a special fairing of the superior triangle of the front suspension.
"The change on my single-seater didn’t give noticeable advantages. The innovation on Damon car led to fifteen horsepower more".
There are no lack of incidents and breakings. Noted for an off-track are Panis, Frentzen, Coulthard, Diniz. The Japanese engine broke on the Ligier (Mugen Honda) and at Tyrell (Yamaha). Different trouble even at Ferrari. As if for the Maranello team, having problems on Saturday morning was a sort of ritual to prevent Sunday ones. Schumacher loses the engine cover for the breaking of a closure clip, Irvine bends a wing, crashing against cones placed in the chicane to avoid dangerous cuts of trajectory.
The Irish loses the powertrain cooler. For him, this is almost a fortune: the new one mounted on his F310 was better and Eddie can qualify seventh, to only 0.02 seconds behind Alesi. Quite disappointing results for the McLarens (in the morning Häkkinen set a time of 1'24"051, which guaranteed him the pole on qualifying) and Benettons. The track continually changes, and two team suffer from continuous variations. But all drivers must get busy showing off in light of a market that could still reserve some surprises. For this reason, we expect a tight race in which Ferrari, if they get everything right as in Spa, might have its say. But let’s pay attention to Villeneuve, who did a testimonial for a new drink, sold in a packaging that looks like a grenade: the energetic Bomb. It is produced by the same Austrian that sells the underwear of the skier Alberto Tomba. To beat Hill, it would be precisely required the energy of the Italian skier. Williams’s drivers are nervous, even if they do not want to show it. Maybe it is also a way of doing pre-tactics, one against the other. They look content, quiet. But you feel the tension and probably, if they touched their hands, sparks would come out as when nearing the two poles of a battery. After all, the stakes are high. On the one hand, millions of dollars, on the other, prestige, future, credibility. And even, do not forget it, the Formula 1 world title. Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve are faced with a terrible destiny. Both sons of art. The English with a father that has been a true champion, consecrated by two world titles, but who died in a plane crash; the Canadian, descendant of a champion which won little but excited a lot, who died in an off-track. For what concerns the psychological studies, we could write an infinite essay. They play their cards. Damon, with the composure of a married thirty-five years old, father of three children, says:
"I showed I’m the fastest. This makes me happy. A lot. As you see, despite all that is going on, I do not lack motivation. I pushed hard, as I did all season. The race? It will be hard. For everyone".
Villeneuve speaks in provocateur terms. Now it is his style, he can allow himself to play the role of the mouth of truth.
"I would have preferred to be ahead and maybe with three or four other drivers between Damon and me. But I am okay with second place in the first row, considered the car is not perfect. I hope my engineers and mechanics will resolve all technical problems before the race. I will handle it on track".
The young Jacques, who alternates glasses characteristic of a land registry employee and contact lenses, has no doubts:
"I can't reach the finish line behind Hill. I must beat him, otherwise I have to leave any hope I had of fighting for the world championship. I’m motivated in the right way".
Then he talks to his teammate-rival, with whom he has a formally correct relationship. The other night, at two different tables in the same restaurant, before leaving he went to see say goodbye.
"Dear Damon, this is a wide and fast track. You can overtake almost everywhere".
As saying: your pole position is useless, so much so that in the first turn I will overtake you. Where comes all this confidence from? Villeneuve is convinced of being better than the English. Apart from the results, considering he is a rookie in Formula 1, he was comforted by the telemetry data on Hill that were communicated to him. The telemetry is a science that, via a laser transmission of the racing cars to the computers at the boxes, says everything about a driver. How he approaches a curve, braking, acceleration, trajectories. Everything. And, comparing numbers, he understood, he had the confirmation of being better. Something that after all Frank Williams thinks, too. Seen that he fired his German compatriot without even waiting the end of the battle.
On Sunday, September 8, 1996, neither Damon Hill nor Jacques Villeneuve start well: the Canadian is still able to flank his teammate, which however pushes him out, forcing him to pass on the grass. Jean Alesi takes advantage of it, starting very well from the sixth position on the grid and then overtaking the English at the first turn, taking the lead. The leadership of the French lasts only half lap though, because Hill overtakes him already at the second Lesmo curve; a little bit behind, Mika Häkkinen overtakes Villeneuve, getting the third position. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher is only sixth, overtaken by Häkkinen and Coulthard, in addition to the French of the Benetton. Panis starts last because his engine does not turn on. During the second lap, Jacques Villeneuve hits the tires barriers at the second chicane, bending a suspension of his car; some tires bounce on track and Coulthard hits one of them, having to retire with the steering wheel of his McLaren broken. Villeneuve continues, but his race is compromised, and the Canadian slowly falls behind in the standings. During the fourth lap, even Alesi hits the stack of tires at the second chicane; the French continues without damages, but Häkkinen hits a tyre bounced on track, having to stop at the box to change the nose of his McLaren and returning on track in thirteenth position. A minute goes by and even Berger retires for the breaking of the hydraulic system of his Benetton. Two laps later, at lap 5, even Hill touches the barriers, this time at the first chicane; the Williams of the English spins and Hill is forced to retire. Thus, Alesi takes the lead, followed by Schumacher and Irvine; the German quickly recovers the disadvantage, then he starts to stalk his rival without being able to overtake him, also given that the top speed of the French driver is better. At lap 10, Jacques Villeneuve, already late, returns to the box to change tires. Even the Canadian is a victim of an error at the chicane, ending up against provisional barriers. During lap 23, Eddie Irvine does the same mistake. The situation remains stable until lap 30, when Alesi returns to the box to refuel; Schumacher pushes at his maximum, marking the fastest lap, and when he does his pit-stop, two laps later, he comes out of the pit lane significantly ahead of the Benetton of the French, with six seconds of advantage. Then the Germans limits himself to keep the lead, conquering the second consecutive victory as well as the third of the season; Alesi is satisfied of the second place, ahead of Häkkinen on the finish line (in the end author of a great comeback), Brundle, Barrichello and Diniz.
Villeneuve, with the damaged car, is doubled and not able to do better than the seventh position, placing that prevents him to take advantage of the retirement of his teammate to reduce the disadvantage in the championship. Ten cars classified, no Williams in points zone. It happened only in the Monaco Gran Prix this year that the English team did not have any car among the top six positions. Miracles, as such, by definition, do not repeat. Thus, it is not a miracle that Ferrari, after the success in Belgium, did an encore at the Italian Grand Prix. And the way in which Michael Schumacher conquered his victory number 22, the first in the Country of his team, is the confirmation of the real progress of the Scuderia Ferrari (that is the most famous automotive brand in the world) and the will to obtain another triumph. Eighteen seconds on the Brabham of an emotional Jean Alesi, over a minute on Häkkinen’s McLaren, no tight differences. The German driver has even set a series of record laps. And ahead, there were no more the feared Williams, delayed by tires. This is racing, but in Monza, the one who makes mistakes, pays. The trap of tires put in the chicane to avoid dangerous cut of trajectory, played an important role. A lot of old tires have in some way influenced the result of the Italian Grand Prix, and for sure will have even a decisive weight on the result of the world title. They consist of old tires that race direction, since the 70s, put in strategical points of chicanes to avoid drivers dangerously cutting them and, thus, to reduce speed. In the last few days, in some places of the track, road signs cones were placed. But drivers hit them deliberately to pass faster. Then, after having listened to Hill and Berger, stewards decided to put away cones and place tires instead, a stack of six. The new solution caused many controversies, but it has been accepted as the only solution adoptable in short terms. Then what you saw happened. It is the first. But the unexpected is not new to Formula 1: in the past, in Clermont-Ferrand almost everyone got a puncture because the asphalt had been remade. At Nürburgring, the tires' manufacturer once got the production wrong and small teams which used old tires dominated. Thus, many drivers were wrong. Seriously. As for Hill and Villeneuve, it is maybe due to too much pressure. Coulthard betrayed by the heat, such as Häkkinen which in the end anyway recovered with a great chase.
Alesi, in the meantime, has been the author of a great performance, showing to be not only a mature driver but even brave. Instead, Schumacher, showed once again because he is two-time World Champion. Even if he had nothing to prove. The talent, the technical skill, the coolness, the calculation skill, the tactic. Skills and characteristics which, put all together, make a true champion. And Ferrari. Beyond the victory, there is an even more important fact: they found reliability, moreover on a track that causes difficulties to all the mechanical parts. If both cars did not arrive to the finish line (even if in this case a counter-proof does not exist) it is only because Irvine made a mistake. It is not said that this step forward is sure and definitive, forever. But it is for sure a result. It had to be the Hill-Villeneuve battle. They did it abacus-wise. Both out of the race, the advantage is for the English, which remains ahead in the standings always with 13 and with only two races to go. The young Canadian promises a fight, but from now on if he wants to keep on hoping, he will have to be impeccable and have a bit of luck, too. Damon Hill says, after the race:
"For me it’s been a good affair, given how it ended".
Damon Hill loses the lead of the race and the race itself, but remains very calm:
"At the chicane, I touched the tires that were put there because no one could make a shortcut: and that’s been the end of my race. I was sure about getting the world title, then one of those things of which you are always afraid of happened. Stupid things, you never know how to defend yourself from them".
Villeneuve, instead, knows he lost an occasion:
"I soon noticed that I didn’t have a significant top speed. Don’t ask me why, I don’t know, cars are capricious too. I decided to continue trying to at least get some points, I failed even in that".
And Frank Williams? Great, as always:
"I knew that Ferrari would arrive at the top. However, I didn’t think they would arrive this strongly. Thankfully the games are already closed, but next year…".
It was since 1990, Mansell in Portugal, Prost in Spain (and the English success almost certainly took away the World Title from the French), that Maranello did not conquer one race after the other. The maximum target declared for the season is now centred. It was talked of 23 victories; this is the third after Barcelona and Spa. And two are the races left to end the season. In Portugal in two weeks and then further ahead in Suzuka, which could be the definitive steppingstone for 1997. Since forever, in Formula 1, the one who ends well the championship usually starts better the next one. It is important for president Montezemolo, for Jean Todt and all his men, to maintain focus and serenity. To carry out all the plans already put together for quite some time now. Those very same programs showed to Schumacher, which convinced him to race for Ferrari. Now, the German definitely knows that he made the right decision. And it will be him the catalyst, the fixed point from where to start for reaching an even higher level. It is clear that if there were no engineers, mechanics, winning technology, even the talent of a driver would be useless. The thing that surprises everyone, leaving people speechless, disorienting rivals, is especially the ability of the Maranello team of having debuted a completely new engine and having made it win. A 10-cylinders, on a completely unexplored path, that in a few months managed to overtake who has been working for many years in this field.
We do not forget, after the reconstruction started by Luca Montezemolo in July 1993, when he put Todt as head of GES, and now Ferrari is the youngest and freshest team of Formula 1. Michael Schumacher recounts, in English, the Italian Grand Prix. Very detached:
"A technical elucidation: the first set of tires was bad, the second one was good. And for me this sequence worked well: because I aimed at the second part, when I would have been able to run away from Alesi, to free myself from his presence, thanks to the refuelling delayed as far away in time as possible. I thought that Benetton studied a strategy like ours, I counted on a bit more fuel in our tanks, and so it was. When I took the lead, I understood that most of the job was done. From the box they said to me to stay calm, to save brakes and tires. I even lost concentration a bit, that is why I hit on the tires at the chicane. A very stupid error, which could have cost me everything. I was surprised, more than angry or scared, for the risk. But talking about concentration: in this Gran Prix, I always gave the ninety percent of my maximum, without ever having to push to the fullest".
Diplomatic:
"But yes, a bit of luck, others hit on tires and their race ended there. Even Hill. But we were competitive compared to Williams already on Friday. We worked a lot, we prepared the race well".
Forward-looking:
"Do not ask me anything about the Grand Prix of Portugal. It’s not a Ferrari circuit. Slippery asphalt, tires problems. Instead, I like Japan, Suzuka. I hope to be able to adapt my Ferrari to that circuit, so maybe we can win again".
Grateful:
"I have to thank above all two categories of people: mechanics and fans. The former worked a lot, and very well, here as everywhere. The second one treated me calmly yesterday. Then, under the podium, they gifted me the biggest spectacle of love, as only can happen in Italy and with Ferrari. I say it in Italian, un grande magnifico casino (a huge, beautiful chaos). I got excited, touched".
Sentimental:
"About feelings and emotions, I have to say there is a thing that count for me more than Monza, more than everything: the fact that my wife Corinna is pregnant. She is on her fourteenth week. I said this to a fried before the start: it would be great to win and make the announcement. I did it. But I do not want to speculate on my private happiness. Anyway, Alesi beat me, his creature will be born before mine".
Generous:
"There was someone, such as Alesi, who did amazing things: for example, at the start. I had an eye on the Williams, while my tires slipped, I saw a Benetton leading, I asked where that came from. I recovered some positions fast, though. When I was behind Alesi, I saw I was gaining ground pretty well, without any problems, and that I could even preserve the car. At that point, it was a matter of fuel, given that the trick of refuelling went well. At the end of the pit-stop, I thought I’d have Alesi on my way, instead it was already all decided".
Superstitious:
"When I heard of Irvine out, I said shit, and I thought that misfortune already did his work with us. After my hit against the tires, a small vibration could be felt in the steering wheel, which at the moment of the impact I was holding with one hand, and it alarmed me, but it was only a moment".
Philosopher:
"A wall of tires in the chicane is not a solution. But did you find a solution? Penalizations can’t be studied, too complicated. We were aware of the problem, of the risk, we all had to be more concentrated and professional, me included".
Instead, his teammate Irvine faced his ninth consecutive retirement and said:
"The car was pretty good, with a bit of oversteering at the entry of the curves, then there was the hit with tires. My fault, I can console myself thinking that many made the same mistake, many were better than me today".
Jean Alesi, arrived second at finish line, says:
"Ending second here, behind Michael, behind Ferrari, seeing the happiness of these fans is anyway a big achievement. The hit against the tires? A problem, but in any case, there should be one solution only, not each time a new one".
Jean Todt is euphoric:
"I am too excited to stay quiet, I try. It was not our most beautiful victory, I liked Barcelona more, it was the most important, especially thinking about the place, the people. Tactic? The great work, if it can be considered a tactic. The team. Everything is well-prepared, at least we believe it is, so it is either victory or crisis, disaster. Here we risked a bit, stopping Schumacher for refuelling at lap thirty-two, a lap after Alesi. Well, if you want, this is the tactic. The matter of the wall of tires at the chicane is a problem. Schumacher was distracted when he hit against it, but others were more distracted than him and hit stronger. If we tied together tires, to avoid that they go for a walk on track, then we risk creating a real wall, too much resistant. Our world is made up of problems that come, are faced, sometimes resolved. It is built to win, or to see everything destroyed in a day, in a moment. You work on an engine as our 10 cylinders to win in 1997, to win now, and among other things we are just three points behind Benetton in the constructors' standings. We climb on the podium, and we are happy, but it’s wrong to think we are the best: we are not. We are not, yet".
Luca Montezemolo already won an important bet with Schumacher.
"At the start of the season he said to me: this year I expect two successes at maximum. I answered: no, you will see that it will be at least three. We are here, we tasted it. Now at work again, to try, if possible, to reach the fourth".
Luca Montezemolo radiates joy and enthusiasm, from his house of Capri, where he closed himself in hermitage. While enjoying on television alone, as he often does, the most beautiful triumph.
The Italian Grand Prix tempted him, but superstition was stronger than seduction.
"And then I think my presence at races is useful when things go less well. This time it was not needed, others deserved the showcase. I’m very happy. Because in Monza we haven’t won for 8 years, it is a success that comes from long ago. It is the demonstration that the work started three years ago pays off, together with great desire. At Spa, we were already out of a difficult period: Monza has been the splendid confirmation. Many asked for revolutions and heads, I always said that I would never accept to destroy or to ruin a team like this for no reason. We answered on track".
Busy phone, intense emotion.
"Seeing on television so much enthusiasm, all those flags in the sky, it was a priceless emotion. Monza is unique and inebriating, even for the fantastic context that offers. We spoke right after the end, with Michael we were thanking each other, and we were almost at loss of words. He also remained astonished for what he saw, for the great demonstration of affection by the people".
Praises overlap, Schumacher is not alone, but remains at the top of the thoughts of the president:
"An amazing driver: just think about the fact that he set the record three laps from the end, reaffirming how much the car was in good conditions and how much strong he is".
Michael as Senna? More than Senna?
"Hard, it is wrong to make comparisons, above all with the passage of time. I can say, though, that when we hired him, it was the right time, and we got a human and intelligent guy. We also knew, coming to us, that Schumacher would become a worldwide superstar. If possible, now he is even more friendly, because winning with Ferrari empathize everything. Above all, Michael showed how strong he is in knowing how to stay close to the team during hard times. And it is what I appreciate the most, it is easy to be united when you win, it’s much more difficult when to help each other in delicate moments. He didn’t have to demonstrate anything else, because we already knew that he was a great champion, the fastest of all. It is enough looking at where is the Benetton today".
The red cars seem to be having defeated their ghosts, taking a road that lights up towards the future. Montezemolo coins a slogan:
"This is for real the most beautiful victory. To divide in three. It is the victory of men, of Ferrari, of fans. Above all, the fans. Driver, team, organization, car, supporters: I want and must thank everyone, who was at the track and who worked with passion and competence behind the scenes at Maranello".
From the president, a special dedication:
"To Todt, who is the head of the racing team. He did a great work, gritting his teeth during the hard moments. What most excites me is to reflect on what Ferrari represents for all of us. For the Italian industry. People are close to us and that’s something that doesn’t occur with the other teams because they know that this is a car that has been entirely created, born, and built in Maranello. It is the result of our technological research. Victories like this, wanted and deserved, are a strong signal".
Luca Montezemolo will be forced to gift to Schumacher a 550, the 12 cylinders GT with a front engine, the latest product out of the Ferrari selection. A jewel worth 325 million. The Ferrari president tells:
"Michael, after having tried the 550, said to me that it was the best car he ever drove. Can you gift me one? He asked me. I answered: with what you earn? Michael claimed he would win two races. Even believing that victories could have been at least three, I risked. I said I would give it to him if he won two Grand Prix in a row. I’m compelled to gift him one, maybe one from the tests, not a new model. We enjoyed the victory. Schumacher and Todt, even if Jean will say otherwise, got drunk. I thanked everyone, even those that were at home. This is the victory of everyone, after three months in which someone considered us only assholes. We are the same people that won in Spa and Monza. Williams is even stronger. Schumi made the difference. In 1997, we will try to win the World Championship. If we won’t, we will do it in 1998. We are not shutting down the English headquarters. It is an important technological base, the contract with Bernard expires in August 1997. There is still time left. The commitment is all set on the new car".
A joke on Villeneuve:
"I did not like him for the arrogance with Diniz. If he was named Jones, it would not be in Formula 1. It’s too easy behaving like a phenomenon at Williams".
Once finished the race, Michael Schumacher makes a quick stop (with his personal jet) in Monte-Carlo. Then he goes to take refuge in the luxury mansion that he rent near Geneva. Thus, Michael Schumacher spends the Monza aftermath, even a bit stunned by celebrations. And sincerely impressed by enthusiasm and above all the affection showed to him by Ferrari fans. What did you think when you saw that incredible crowd?
"First of all that certain things can happen only in Italy. These people waited so much time that they wanted to live closely the special moment. I believe that Ferrari for Italians is as much important as the pope. And winning in this way, on the home track, being witnesses of the event represents a unique occasion".
Can you do a comparison between these three successes of the year?
"Each one is different. In Barcelona with rain. In Spa under the pressure of Villeneuve. Here I could dispute the second part of the race with a reasonable margin on my pursuer. And there is no doubt that in Monza I felt the biggest emotion. It is fantastic. I only hope that my private life can survive among all of this".
Schumacher has been the first driver in Formula 1 to mix public and private, announcing during the press conference that he will have a baby soon.
"I was so happy that I could not stop myself. Family for me is the first thing in life. After last checks done by my wife Corinna, doctors said we will have a girl 70%. We haven’t decided the name yet".
Back to the race. Tires put as protection at chicanes created so many troubles. Could another solution be found?
"It was the only one possible. Next year it has to be changed. It was up to us to auto-regulate ourselves. Even I was scared when I touched the tires. I almost fell into the trap. Evidently in Monza even tires love Ferrari, maybe they wanted to kiss me…".
A surprise seeing, after a few laps, that there were no Williams on track?
"Yes, it was. I was very much surprised. But I was not happy of that".
Is it a shock finding a Benetton in the front right after the start?
"It is a crazy situation. On straights, I was between the two McLaren. When we entered the first turn and I saw Alesi’s car, I asked myself: and where did he come from? I had no idea from where he came. I didn’t notice that he had overtaken me".
So Schumacher did not a great start…
"True, if it was good, I would have been leading the race".
But at the end Ferrari was not bad. With Irvine. Since the start of the season, the car often presented understeering and oversteering.
"It is true, but it depends on circuits. If there are bumps, grip is loosed, and tires get ruined. As occurred to us in Hockenheim".
There is a big difference between a victory in a circuit as Hockenheim and Monza?
"Sure, it is a big difference. The mentality of fans is different. Germans are obviously interested in motorsport. And even them can get emotional. But not as Italians. This is a fact. In Monza, as in Imola, there is a very special atmosphere. After the race, people can invade the track and go wild, to celebrate. InGermany, I don’t know why, this is not possible. And since fans can’t approach you that much, they have to keep their emotions for themselves. It is for this reason that it is really beautiful to see the crowd so happy and close to drivers".
Does an ideal track for the F310 exist?
"I do not believe it exists. For example, in Spa we went very well in fast corners. In the average and slow ones, we were in difficulty".
Before starting the championship, was it thinkable to win three races?
"It was my aim. But I set it before driving this car. I knew it would be hard. However, honestly, I did not believe we had to get past many obstacles. With this single-seater, there is a base problem. We hope not to have it any more next year".
Meanwhile, Eddie Irvine have not reached the finish line in nine races…
"He seems to be very lucky with women. Each time a different girl. So he can’t be lucky on track too".
What do you expect from Ferrari in the next two races?
"It will be very hard in Estoril. I don’t know in Suzuka. In Japan, maybe we will have the possibly to stay among the best and fight for first place. Anyway, it’s hard to do predictions only based on sensations".
Speaking of the World Championship, who lost more opportunities in Monza? Hill or Villeneuve?
"Both of them, obviously. Jacques should have taken advantage of the problem Damon had. And the English has been lucky, given that the Canadian was not able to collect points. As can be seen, in our sport everything can suddenly happen, even in the last meter. Maybe at the next race another episode happens, and the championship is completely open again. For now, Hill remains in a position of significant advantage".
Schumacher speaks German and English. Do you think you’ll learn Italian too for 1997?
"Yes, I do. If you give me lessons…".
Out of the 22 races conquered until now, in which position would you put the one obtained at the Italian Grand Prix?
"It’s difficult to say. But the last one is always the most enjoyable".
It is talked a lot about the future of Damon Hill. Fired from Williams, although being in the race for the victory of the World Championship, the English driver will have to find another team. Among many and suggestive hypothesis, his move to Benetton as a substitute of Jean Alesi has been suggested. Hill would be sponsored by Bernie Ecclestone: in fact, the patron of the Formula 1 circus, as said, would like to see Damon in a top team because he would otherwise have problems with English pay-per-views. But Flavio Briatore puts an end to the whispers with a sharp sentence:
"I never said that I want to change drivers. We go ahead as we are".
And moreover, precisely Alesi - who after Monza went to Turin with her partner Kumiko (glowing for the imminent maternity) as a guest of Mario Miyakawa, friend, and curator of personal sponsors - makes a statement about his future at Benetton:
"The first year was of break-in. We had many problems, but things are going the right way. The relationship with the team and with Renault is perfect. I’m working for them, and technicians are preparing me a car and an engine that will be almost custom-made".
The target?
"Fighting for the championship. I am sure we will achieve it. I matured, I learned many new things. The working method of English people enriches us, there is no doubt. Many will aim to the World title, and I will be there too. Ferrari took a step forward, Schumacher is very strong, I must admit it, but we’ll give them a hard time. We will be there too. And I hope to show it even in the two races left before the end of the season. In Estoril in two weeks. And then in October in Suzuka. There, if I win, I can leave the trophy at my Japanese relatives’ house…".
The French thirty-two years old in the Italian Grand Prix beat a record. At the start, from the sixth place, he jumped to the lead. A series of breathtaking overtakes got Alesi, who dreams to win in Suzuka, the title of king of Formula 1 sprinters. What’s the secret behind these incredible performances?
"It can seem strange, but at the start I’m one of the coldest and most concentrated drivers, despite my Latin temperament and my Sicilians origins. Indeed, I have to say that while my colleagues are tense and strained, I feel a particular pleasure at the moment in which the green light turns on. On a track in which is often very difficult to overtake, doing it as soon as possible, one or more rivals, can be crucial for the result of the race".
Yes, but to realize such a strong start, are special driving abilities as well as peculiar technical solutions required?
"When you start, you need to play with friction and wheelspin. After a hard training on a dragster track in England, I believe I found the right measure. The rest is a matter of reflexes".
And on a tactical level?
"Normally, a driver prepares a plan based on the grid position. Then, the contrary of what you imagined always happens. At that point, you need to act in fractions of seconds and have the global view of what happens in the initial chaos. Finding the right openings, predicting the moves of the others. I do it quite good".
An Alesi, then, sure of himself, ready to fight. And thinking that people talked about a psychological crisis.
"The end of the championship will be spectacular for sure for the Hill-Villeneuve fight, but there could be uncomfortable third parties. The true show will arrive in 1997 though, when we many will fight for the title. I’m sure".
On Tuesday, September 10th, 1996, he was at Silverstone for a series of tests. But during his visit to the Benetton’s factory of Enstone, he already prepared the cockpit of the new car.
"You will see, it will be fantastic, very different from the current one and with an engine that will be a blast".