Luxembourg 1997:
with Murray Walker.
F1 Racing November 1997.

The proud German heart of Chancellor Helmut Kohl and those of his red Dekra-hatted countrymen at the Nurburgring, Mk2, must have sunk to their boots when Ralf swiped past Michael into oblivion within seconds of the start of Germany's second 1997 race. But there was stirring consolation to follow as the two Mercedes-Benz-powered McLarens almost made the star on top of the Mercedes stand spin with delight. But not for long enough. What a bitter pill to swallow as the Stuttgart V10s grenaded themselves. My heart went out to Mercedes bosses Jurgen Hubbert and Norbert Haug and to Ron Dennis - not to mention Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, who both deserved so much more than they got.

Ferrari's day was, if anything, worse. Michael's failure and Irvine's retirement left them without points for only the third race this year. It is hard to believe that Eddie's condemnation of the team on TV won't have led to some sharp words at Maranello, for Alain Prost got fired for much the same truthfulness at Adelaide in 1990. You can sympathise.

The Luxembourg GP almost certainly cost the team both championships and it is ironic to realise that a bent front wishbone, which denied Damon Hill the 1994 title, could do the same for his Adelaide assailant this year. The pace of development and competition is so fierce that we could still see reversals of form at Suzuka and Jerez. One, I hope, will be to see Jackie Stewart's team finish both drivers in the points. Austria and Nurburgring showed how good they are. Meantime, we prepare for the Land of the Rising Sunm where even the menu's are a mystery.

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