By DERICK ALLSOP
Formula One appears to accept that Michael Schumacher cannot be prevented from winning a record sixth world championship this year, so the common hope is that he will keep his appointment with destiny only after a longer and more eventful odyssey.
Changes to the scoring system, rewarding consistency
and the first eight finishers instead of six, should keep the 34-year-old German occupied beyond the 11th round this season.
A new qualifying format, allied to fuel restrictions, ought to shake up the grid from time to time and perhaps force Schumacher to work harder for his wins.
Each driver will have only one run to determine his starting position, leaving him vulnerable to error and changing conditions.
But the potential spectacle of Saturday afternoon shoot-outs has been complicated, and possibly undermined, by the edict forbidding refuelling between qualifying and the race.
To the dismay of purists, it is likely to mean the end of the ultimate speed test and their ire is compounded by the possibility that smaller teams will take the opportunity to briefly rise about their status and secure unrealistic grid placings.
Max Mosley, the president of the FIA, motorsport's governing body, has been determined to act in response to Ferrari's continued dominance, diminishing public interest and the financial pressures that have reduced the field to 10 teams and now threaten the future of Minardi.
Two of the three leading teams, Williams and McLaren, have stepped forward to challenge some of Mosley's measures. They claim his blitz on technology "dumbs down" Formula One and that the banning of telemetry links with the cars and the restriction of access to cars before races will compromise safety.
Their joint opposition is part of a wider struggle over power and money. They feel Mosley is driving a horse and carriage through Formula One's constitution and that a fairer distribution of television revenue would ensure the stability of all the teams.
Williams and McLaren are also concerned that the cut in the time teams are allowed to work on cars between qualifying and the race, from 18 1/2 hours to 2 1/2, will hand Ferrari an advantage they scarcely require.
Since Ferrari have not only the fastest car but also the most reliable, they are less likely to be employed on a lengthy remedial shift to prepare for any grand prix.
Indeed, changes to regulations generally favour the teams with the greatest resources and expertise because they can adapt more readily.
The threads of argument always come back to Ferrari, such is their stature and the shadow they cast over the rest, even teams who enjoyed similar supremacy not so many years ago.
Some might suggest Williams and McLaren have a self-destructive complex about motor racing's most hallowed marque.
What is clear is that Formula One needs a better contest. Ferrari are seeking a fifth consecutive constructors' championship, Schumacher a fourth driver's title in a row.
It would help, of course, if the two red cars were unleashed to engage in earnest combat, as the Williams and McLarens once were in the hands of Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost respectively.
Ferrari contend that Rubens Barrichello starts the season in Melbourne tomorrow on level terms with Schumacher, but their rivals say that claim is risible. The way Barrichello was ordered to move over for his team-mate in last year's Austrian Grand Prix was a public-relations howler for Ferrari and Formula One.
One of Barrichello's former team bosses, Jackie Stewart, believes the Brazilian could beat Schumacher, if permitted.
"The problem is that while Michael is there he is the No 1 and we all know what that means," Stewart said.
Ferrari say they retain the right to do "what is best for the team", and will not countenance their drivers' indulging in wheel-banging.
The champions will, as last year, begin the season with their "old" car and introduce the new one, hailed as the biggest step forward yet, when they are satisfied it is ready.
Again, therefore, the onus is on Williams and McLaren to give Ferrari a race and Formula One a show to package for worldwide consumption.
Williams, a distant second in the championship last season, admit they are not yet in a position to mount a challenge.
McLaren, too, are delaying the introduction of their new car. But their interim car indicates they are making significant progress. Schumacher recognises the developing threat.
"From what we have seen in winter testing, McLaren are going to be very strong this year," he said. "It looks at though they will be much closer to us."
A posse of teams will be trying to close in on the top three and can only be encouraged by Williams' apparent anxiety. Renault's hierarchy expect results to reflect their resources and ambition, and are publicly demanding a major advance this time.
The perennially understated and under-rated Swiss entrant, Sauber, considered as effectively Ferrari's junior team, may again frustrate British opponents trying to muscle free of the midfield congestion.
Jordan, Jaguar and BAR acknowledge they must perform better.
Jordan's financial difficulties have occupied much of their attention during the Northern Hemisphere winter. But they are capable of producing a competitive car, the engine should be good and in Giancarlo Fisichella they have one of the best drivers in Formula One.
Jaguar have had a drastic makeover, with a management restructure and new drivers, Australian Mark Webber and Brazil's Antonio Pizzonia. Minardi, like Jordan, have switched to Ford Cosworth power and their car is no mean effort. Money remains a problem and they, too, have recruited a British rookie, Justin Wilson.
The biggest climbers could be Toyota, who revealed healthy potential in their debut season without delivering the results. In changing both of their drivers for this year they demonstrated a ruthlessness to match their aspirations. Crucially, they also have the resources and facilities to stay the course.
* TV: Live on TV One from 3pm tomorrow, race starts 4pm.
THE STATS SAY
WINNERS
* Ferrari's Michael Schumacher has won more grands prix than any driver, notching up his 64th career win in Japan at the end of last season.
* Ferrari have won 159 races, McLaren 135 and Williams 108.
* Eight previous race winners start the season: Schumacher, David Coulthard (12), Jacques Villeneuve (11), Rubens Barrichello (five), Ralf Schumacher (four), Heinz-Harald Frentzen (three), Juan Pablo Montoya and Olivier Panis (one).
* The last race without a Ferrari or a McLaren driver on the podium was the September 1999 European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring, won by the Stewart of Briton Johnny Herbert.
* Herbert was also the last driver from outside Ferrari, McLaren or Williams to win a race.
POLE POSITION
* Schumacher has been on pole position 50 times in his career, more than any other current driver but still short of late Brazilian Ayrton Senna's record of 65.
* Schumacher and Montoya were each on pole seven times last year.
* Ferrari have had 158 poles, Williams 119, McLaren 112.
ROOKIES
* Four drivers are making their debuts in Australia - Brazilians Cristiano da Matta (Toyota) and Antonio Pizzonia (Jaguar) and Britons Justin Wilson (Minardi) and Ralph Firman (Jordan).
POINTS
Michael Schumacher has scored a record 945 points in his career, although that tally includes 78 that were wiped from his record in 1997 as punishment for an illegal manoeuvre against Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez that year.
* The scoring system has changed this year to 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 instead of the old 10-6-4-3-2-1.
* Schumacher also has the record for the number of points scored in a single season - last year's 144.
* Five of the 10 teams have never won a race - BAR, Sauber, Jaguar, Minardi and Toyota. Minardi have never reached the podium.
By DERICK ALLSOP
Formula One appears to accept that Michael Schumacher cannot be prevented from winning a record sixth world championship this year, so the common hope is that he will keep his appointment with destiny only after a longer and more eventful odyssey.
Changes to the scoring system, rewarding consistency
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.