Alonso revives memories of Schumacher's dominance
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-13 10:18
LONDON, June 12 - Different colour race suit, same dominance: Renault's
world champion Fernando Alonso is giving Ferrari a taste of their own Formula
One medicine.
Two years ago Michael Schumacher was in his pomp, winning 12 of the first 13
races on his way to the most crushing of his seven world championships.
Even if Alonso races in blue rather than red, Sunday's British Grand Prix
confirmed this season is turning into a re-run of 2004 with the Spaniard in the
dominant role.
When the 24-year-old became the sport's youngest champion last year it was a
breath of fresh air, a super-quick youngster apparently opening a new and
thrilling era.
Now, with Alonso winning five of the eight races and finishing second in the
others, there is more a sense of foreboding.
"He has scored 74 points out of 80 so it's remarkable," said Ferrari boss
Jean Todt after Sunday's race.
"He's quick, competitive and reliable so it makes things more difficult for
the others."
If the crowd stifled an occasional yawn in the summer sunshine as they waited
in vain for an overtaking manouevre, Alonso's compatriots were happy enough with
the outcome and he intends to continue delighting them.
"Obviously there is nothing more to find in the car, we're running on the
limit of the car," said the Spaniard.
"We need to keep doing things like this. I think the best defence from now on
will be attacking and keep winning races is what we have to do."
NOT RESIGNING
Alonso leads Schumacher by 23 points and the 37-year-old German is still the
only man to have beaten him this season.
"There are 10 races to go, plenty of opportunities," said Schumacher, who
finished second at Silverstone.
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