Downed Under

This wasn't a good race for me. And definitely not for Michael Schumacher. After losing ten grid positions because of an engine change, he started 19th and didn't really get anywhere useful, racing in the old F2004 - modified to suit the new rules and regulations. Finally, after a dubious collision with Nick Heidfeld, he retired from the race.

So Narain Karthikeyan qualified 15th on the grid and finished 12th, ahead of Michael Schumacher. That doesn't mean anything. At least, not for the amount of adulation that he's been getting. Fine, he finished the race. His first-ever F1 race. The first Indian in a F1 team. Ahead of the seven-time World Champion. But all that is because of the changed rules.

The old format of Friday practice and Saturday qualifying is gone, and there's just a single session of qualifying on the Saturday. The second qualifier is on Sunday, a couple of hours before the actual race. Then there's also the condition that the car should have an engine that lasts two races. The tyres, too, must last for the duration of the entire race. The pit-stop will no longer include a tyre-change. Except, I guess, in the case of weather. There's also more restrictions on the amount of downforce that can be produced for each car. If you're really interested, read it here

So you might call it a case of sour grapes, but remember why the rules have changed? Why did the FIA change the qualifying format and rules? Why the stipulation that the engine must last at least two races? Simply because Ferrari were too good for the rest of the pack.

How many retirements have Ferrari had in the past two years because of a blown engine? In comparison, look at BAR Honda, McLaren-Mercedes and Williams-BMW have rarely had a car finish in all the races for the past three seasons.

The regulation that requires the engine of each car to last at least two races has people pointing out the fact that Renault, BMW-Williams and McLaren-Mercedes seem to be having better cars. However, let's not forget that up until the last season, Ferrari rarely had a blown engine. In fact, they've had a record four championships where they've never had a retirement due to an engine failure. So when the cars were to be driven to the limit, with no restrictions on engine or tyre-changes, Ferrari used to be accused of dominating the GP because of their budgets; when the rules were changed to make the F1 "safer" and slower, they're being branded as has-beens.

In addition, apart from Ferrari and Minardi, all the other teams have tested and launched their 2005 cars. Ferrari is still testing - in fact, they were testing the car back in Maranello even while the Australian GP was in progress! - their new car. By all accounts, it seems to be promising. And why shouldn't it be? After all, the car is engineered, not modified to fit the new rules.

Here's my tip: wait for the F2005 to be launched. The Tifosi will be on that podium again. Yes, Narain Karthikeyan deserves a few solid thumps on the back for breaking into F1 and doing so well - he is good - but let's not go over the moon this time, OK?