After 16 seasons with Formula One, Michael Schumacher is finally left Formula One. It is a sad thing for Schumy’s fans. Schumacher has walked away with every major record in Formula One: 91 victories, seven series titles and 68 pole positions. He’ll be a technical adviser next season for Ferrari. The seven-time world champion will be missed in 2007, but not for long as F1 enters a watershed season that marks the end of several eras.
The racing sport’s top two drivers are changing teams. Two-time defending champion Fernando Alonso no longer in blue with Renault but moves to McLaren, and Kimi Raikkonen leaves McLaren to replace Schumacher at Ferrari.
The 27-year-old Iceman, Raikonen, has 3 years contract with Ferrari and he will team with Felipe Massa. Raikkonen has raced six seasons in Formula One, one with Sauber Petronas and five with McLaren. His best results were the runner-up in 2003 and 2005.
“I have been five years with McLaren, but I wanted something else”, said Raikkonen. His move to Ferrari and being the successor of Michael Schumacher is definitely a great challenge to him.
Partnered with Lewis Hamilton, a 21-years-old Englishman with roots in the Caribbean and also the first ever black F1 driver, Fernando Alonso might have a greater challenge especially reliability problem. Since Mika Hakkinen’s retirement, McLaren hasn’t won any constructors’ title. Nevertheless, Alonso believed that McLaren will provide him a good car: “McLaren is a great team and I have no doubt that we’ll have a competitive car in the coming years,” Alonso said.
The 25-years-old Alonso, who became Formula’s One youngest champion when he won his first series title a year ago, is one of many young drivers nudging out the Schumacher generation.
In 2007 F1, young drivers will be over the paddock. Renault has promoted test driver Heikki Kovalainen to replace Alonso, joining Giancarlo Fisichella. If Fisichella stumbles, he may be replaced in midseason by Nelson Piquet Jr.
For Williams, Mark Webber has gone to Red Bull. Moving in at William is Alex Wurz who will join Nico Rosberg.
In F1 2007, there are some major changes:
The GPMA, representing major engine builders BMQ, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Renault and Toyota, pushed for more revenue from F1 commercial director Bernie Ecclestone, more financial transparency and limiting the power of the FIA.
F1 will have only one tire supplier, Bridgestone, in 2007.
Engines will have rev limits of 19,000rpm.
San Marino is off the 2007 calendar.
The Toyota-run Fuji circuit will host the 2007 Japan Grand Prix while the Honda’s course, Suzuka, will be off for at least 1 year.
Hockenheim and Nurburgring will share the German GP beginning in 2007. Nurburgring gets the first race.
Raikonen and Massa will race for Ferarri.