Motorsport: Schumacher on brink of historic record

MONTE CARLO - Rainier and Albert have been Monte Carlo's princes but racing drivers have been its kings. In each era, it falls to one driver to dominate a particular circuit. Thus it was that in the 1960s, Graham Hill's smooth technique, allied in part to Jim Clark's phenomenally poor luck, saw the Englishman win the Monaco Grand Prix a record five times.

That mark was beaten by Ayrton Senna, who was equally dominant in the 1980s and 1990s.

Tonight, Michael Schumacher, that most destructive of Formula One's record breakers, stands on the threshold of yet another revision of the sport's history. Where Hill won in 1963 through to 1965, and again in 1968 and 1969, Senna was triumphant in 1987 and then from 1989 through to 1993. Schumacher first won here in 1994 and repeated in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. A win tomorrow would match the late Brazilian's record.

So far the auguries have been mixed. On Thursday, the seven-time world champion was fourth fastest in the first practice session, only 15th in the second. The first day traditionally means little as far as lap times are concerned but Schumacher was not overly optimistic.

"Obviously, we cannot be too happy with what we have seen so far," he said, "though the results can be partly explained by the fact that we used just one set of tyres, unlike many of the other drivers. But I'm not trying to hide the fact that the situation is not looking too good. At the moment, we are too slow and we have to study the data to find out why."

When it matters, he will go as fast as his package of Ferrari engine and chassis and Bridgestone tyres allows in his 238th Formula One start. But as he knows better than anyone, a good grid position is critical on the circuit on which, more than any other, overtaking is almost impossible even for a driver of his class. If he does not start from pole position or the other front-row slot, his chances will be slim (qualifying took place overnight).

Traditionally, Schumacher has expressed no interest in history. "That is for later, after you have stopped," he said. "Right now, I really don't concern myself with all that. As for winning here, I did not know it was that long ago but there you go. I don't care what is the past, I just care about what happens this year. And I think we have a chance."

- THE INDEPENDENT