| MALAYSIA Sepang Circuit |
| As die-hard Schumacher fans we were very worried that the arrival of Juan-Pablo Montoya into the Williams team would mean that Ralf would find himself sidelined and eventually replaced by someone else. The first corner in Melbourne made us think that maybe our fears were justified as maybe he'd let the pressure get to him. It seems that he had other ideas. After qualifying fourth we weren't that optomistic, especially given that Juan-Pablo was second, but still fourth isn't that bad. We were hopeful. Then as the first corner approached we couldn't believe our eyes. Michael and Juan crashing into each other. Juan back in 11th and Michael - out? Or was he? The cameras were full of stricken Ferrari driving very slowly around the track back to the pits to just about be salvaged, but meanwhile out front Ralf and Rubens were clearly out to prove something. Ralf appeared to be holding back a bit at the beginning, maybe the tyres were taking longer than the Bridgestones to warm up or maybe he just didn't have the speed of the Ferrari, but then eventually we began to see what the Williams is made of a series of powerful laps had the gap closed before the pitstops and he managed to get out ahead of Rubens. And Rubens would still need to stop again anyway. Unless he made a mistake the race was pretty much won. And he didn't make a mistake, the race was driven superbly and there was no way he was going to let anyone past. An amazing and almost completely unexpected fourth win for the guy that some said wouldn't win anytime soon. Juan finished second having driven well through the field and then Michael managed to get up to third from last by using driving skills known only to him. It's difficult to imagine anyone else getting close. But still, Ralf 1, Juan 0, and only two rounds of the championship gone. Go Ralfie! How we ranked the main drivers in Sepang MICHAEL SCHUMACHER - 9/10 - Coming from last and finishing third is a true performance of champions. Yes he was lucky that Jenson Button's car gave up, but still not many people would even be close. RALF SCHUMACHER - 9/10 - A brilliant display and a superb fourth win for the younger Schumacher. A definite champion in the making, but could it be this year. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA - 8/10 - Another good drive but should be more careful at first corners. DAVID COULTHARD - 6/10 - For a `serious championship contender` no points from twenty isn't really all that impressive is it DC? JENSON BUTTON - 8/10 - We're not great fans but its nice to see Jenson doing a bit better at last. |