Schumacher’s last Formula One victory

There are races that are never forgotten, even decades later. Races that remain indelibly over time. Each of us keeps them in the part of our memory linked to memories. Schumacher’s last Formula One victory is one of them.

The 2006 Chinese GP entered the history of the Circus a few years late. In fact, on that first day of October, one could not predict what it would be Schumacher’s last Formula One victory. The German champion, crossing the finish line in Shanghai first, achieved the success number 91. The final one of an extraordinary career.

A very hard-fought World Championship. The reigning champion will compete for it, Fernando Alonso in Renault, and Michael Schumacher, at his last performance on the Red, before retiring. The two pilots arrive in China with only two points difference, in favor of Spanish. The German had won in Monza, a few days after announcing the news of his retirement. The goal was to finish on a high note, with the eighth title. Unfortunately he won’t succeed.

The rain will strongly affect the weekend and, strange to say, Michael Schumacher is in big trouble with waterwhile, on the contrary, Renaults fly. The problem, however, is not the rider, but the tyre. In fact, the Bridgestones struggle a lot on wet asphalt. The starting grid is the effect of superiority of Michelins, with Alonso ahead of Fisichella. Followed by the two Hondas of Barrichello and Button, Raikkonen’s McLaren and Schumacher’s Red, almost a second and a half behind.

The race starts on a wet track, the worst condition for Ferrari. Alonso flies away on his teammate, while Raikkonen climbs up and gets rid of the two Japanese cars. Schumacher holds sixth place.

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As the laps go by, however, the track dries out and this facilitates the German’s comeback. He first passes the two Hondas, then goes in pursuit of the podium. To confirm that the Bridgestones start to workin the rear there is also the comeback of Massa who quickly moves into the points.

Raikkonen, meanwhile, overtakes Fisichella and takes second place. On lap thirteen, Alonso leads with 16 seconds on the Finn. Schumacher is at 25. Twist on lap 18with McLaren dropping out Ice Man, forced to retire.

Schumacher grinds out fast lap after fast lap and, after the stop, in a short time he comes into Fisichella’s exhaust. Alonso is in difficulty and is joined by the two. A trio in the lead, with the Italian trying to play as a team player, despite being faster than the Spaniard. However, the Asturian doesn’t keep up the pace and is overtaken first by his companion and then by the German.

Between Michael and victory, now, there is only Fisichella. Ferrari, with the track now almost dry, has excellent pace, however the Italian’s Renault also runs at the same times. Schumacher decides to bring forward the pit stop to fit the slicks. Fisichella does it the next lap, holding position on the exit. However, he makes a mistake right in the first corner, allowing the German to pass on the inside.

A naivety that costs Renault dearly. Michael flies towards success. Behind, Alonso regains ground on Fisichella, who is in great difficulty. Overtaking is inevitable. Schumacher will win the Grand Prix ahead of the Spaniard. There will also be a reunion in the world rankings, before the bitter disappointment of the Japanese GPwith the retirement which will essentially deliver the second drivers’ title to Alonso. For Michael, China’s triumph will remain his lastin his last season at a high level.