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Schumacher can make 2006 season stand out
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-07 09:46
"Renault is still making the best impression so far, followed by Honda,
Mercedes (McLaren) and ourselves," he said on his website.
For the first time since 2000, the word 'ourselves' refers to a new Ferrari
line-up with Brazilian Felipe Massa replacing compatriot Rubens Barrichello.
Alonso, winner of seven races in 2005, has all the confidence of a man who
has made his dream come true and, despite immense expectations at home in Spain,
will have less pressure than last year.
He is one of a select handful of drivers to know exactly what his future
holds, having agreed a three-year contract with McLaren from 2007.
Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, who also won seven times last year for McLaren,
could be distracted by speculation about whether he will stay and become
Alonso's team mate or step into Schumacher's shoes at Ferrari.
Raikkonen will also have to contend with a fired-up team mate in Colombian
Juan Pablo Montoya, who knows three into two does not go and that beating the
Finn represents the best way to maintain his market value.
There will be another battle to relish at Honda, the renamed BAR team, with
experienced race winner Barrichello lined up alongside Jenson Button.
The Briton has now started 100 races without a win but, with Honda setting
the pace for much of the winter, that run could end sooner rather than later.
ALL CHANGE
The new season also sees fundamental change.
Apart from new team names -- with BMW buying Sauber, Red Bull taking over
Minardi and renaming them Scuderia Toro Rosso and Midland replacing Jordan --
there are also newcomers in 11th team Super Aguri.
Three rookies, including the first U.S. driver in 13 years, make the starting
grid.
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