Formula One 2006 Season Review

Well, it's the end of the season and the end of an era. The winningest F-1 Driver of all time has hung up his helmet. Thus leaving the prancing horse in the capable yet somewhat suspect hands of Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. Ferrari with Schumacher have been the most dominant team and driver combination in the history of Formula One. Anyone who knows me is aware that I was a fan of Michael. There have been times in his career that I was embarrassed by his actions, but these were far surpassed by the pure joy I've experienced in watching him work. I'm sad to see him go, but I think it's awesome he went out the way he did, fighting tooth and nail with Fernando for the championship. I now look forward to March 18 when the new era of Formula One begins.

So, how did I do on my predictions for the season? Not as good as I'd hoped, but still not to bad.

2006 Drivers Championship (From March 20th 2006)
1. Fernando Alanso
2. Michael Schumacher
3. Jenson Button

So, Alanso will win his second championship by at least 10 points over Schumacher. Michael will get at least 1 win but I still don't think he breaks Senna's pole record it will remain in the history books as a tie. The battle for second in the championship between Michael and Jenson will go down to the last race. Kimi will win at least 3 races, but his lack of consistency will relegate him to 4th in the championship. Consistency is what wins drivers titles and Kimi doesn't have that. Perhaps a change of scenery to Ferrari next will help him to mature, but I fear he could be a driver similar to Michael Andretti that has all the talent in the world but is cursed with bad racing luck.

Other driver thoughts. Like I stated in a previous e-mail to you guys Ralf will still suck this year. He will loose his drive at Toyota at the end of the season and ride off into the sunset to watch all Brady Bunch re-runs! Nico Rosberg is a future world champion. He will get at least one podium this year. He will be the driver that gives Frank Williams his next world championship, no later than 2008. I still feel like this will end up being Michael Schumacher's last year. Kimi goes to Ferrari.

2006 Constructors Championship
1. Renault
2. Ferrari
3. McLaren

Renault should win this one by at least 15 points. McLaren will have more podium finishes, but the consistency of Ferrari will give them the edge for second place.

2006 Drivers Championship Final
1. Fernando Alanso
2. Michael Schumacher
3. Felipe Massa

Man, I really missed the mark with Button. He did have a very good second half of the season including a memorable first win. Fernando did beat Michael by 13 points. Kimi is going to Ferrari, didn't score a single victory. I also still question his consistency. Only time will tell if the switch to Ferrari will help. Nico came as close to a podium as you can get without actually reaching it. Had the Williams performance not eroded so badly over the course of the season he would have done it. Still hope Ralf goes bye bye but that doesn't appear to be happening.

2006 Constructors Championship
1. Renault
2. Ferrari
3. McLaren

Well did get this one right. However Kimi went from 12 podiums in 2005 to only 6 in 2006. Overall a very disappointing year both from Kimi and from McLaren. In the end the consistency that earned Ferrari second place in the constructors championship is what cost Michael his 8th drivers championship.

Observations on Multi-time World Champions

In the History of Formula One there have been 14 drivers that have won the World Drivers Championship two or more times. These men are the true ledgends of Grand Prix racing.

• Since it's creation in 1950 there have been 57 world championships. These 13 multi-title drivers account for 43 of the 57 championships. A winning percentage of 75%

• Since it's creation in 1950 there have been 768 Grands Prix. These 13 multi-title winning drivers account for winning 397 of the 768 races. A winning percentage of 51%. These same drivers account for capturing 354 of the 768 pole positions, a percentage of 49%
  

• Only 8 drivers in the history of Formula One have one three or more World Championships.
  

• Only 3 drivers in the history of Formula One have one 4 or more (Michael Schumacher, Juan-Manuel Fangio and Alain Prost).

• Schumacher, Fangio and Prost account for 28% of the World Championships (16), 21% of the race wins (166) and 17% of the poles (130)

• In the history of Formula One, 308 drivers have taken part in at least one Grand Prix. Of those drivers Michael Schumacher by himself accounts for 12% percent of the World Championships (7), 11% of the Grand Prix victories (91) and 9% of the Pole Positions (68)
  

The era of Michael Schumacher has ended. He has been the dominant figure in motorsport for the better part of 2 decades. He leaves behind a legacy of passion, competitiveness and overall statistics that may never be surpassed. Farewell Michael, you will be missed and certainly not forgotten.