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F1Racing.net looks back on the 2005 season and this week brings you the third and final part of the season review. Fernando Alonso became the youngest champion ever, but he was not the only surprise of the year.
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| Doornbos takes over Friesachers's seat |
Just before the German Grand Prix, Minardi announced that Patrick Friesacher had run out of sponsorship and would no longer drive. He was replaced by Robert Doornbos who with Christijan Albers completed a unique all-Dutch driver line-up.
While Doornbos finished the race, Kimi Raikkonen's engine failed again, while he was building up a dominant lead. Raikkonen was the fastest man on track without a doubt, but Alonso took the win again. With the victory, the gap between the two looked practically insurmountable.
In Hungary it was the other way around. Fernando Alonso was involved in an incident at the start while Raikkonen drove to the finish without any trouble. Alonso did finish the race, but outside the points. The start of the race was spectacular as Christian Klien crashed out in the first corner, flipping his car. His Red Bull team mate David Coulthard also went out in style after Alonso's damaged front wing fell off in the Scot's path. For Red Bull the race was over on the first lap.
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The next race was at a new track and F1 put another mark in the history books holding the first ever Turkish Grand Prix. The brand new circuit in Istanbul proved a real struggle for Bridgestone teams. Michelin meanwhile was strong and with McLaren was unbeatable. Raikkonen didn't have too many problems winning the race and team mate Montoya was doing well, until the final stages. Heading for a second place finish, Montoya was hit from behind by back marker Tiago Monteiro. Montoya recovered and was still in second, but Alonso was right behind him. With damage to his car and pressure from Alonso, Montoya went off again and let the Spaniard take second. Alonso minimized the damage to his lead to just two points and it became clear the championship was his for the taking.
Alonso could only lose the title from this point, but in Monza he didn't make a mistake. McLaren was fast and Raikkonen took pole position. But in practice, he had to change his engine again, moving him ten places back on the grid. Montoya was the fastest driver on track. The Columbian driver won his second race for McLaren and Alonso took second place while Raikkonen finished fourth. Ferrari was unable to please the Tifosi. Both Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello gave all they had, but it was not enough. They didn't finish in the points. Antonio Pizzonia on the other hand was on the pace. He had to replace Nick Heidfeld, who suffered from an injury, after a testing incident, prior to the Italian Grand Prix. A few weeks later he was involved in a traffic accident, back home in Switzerland. He broke his shoulder. Heidfeld would miss the rest of the season.
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The next race was held in Belgium, at the challenging Spa Francorchamps circuit. Alonso could clinch the title here, but Raikkonen prevented him. Giancarlo Fisichella was doing well in the wet race, but he crashed out spectacularly at Eau Rouge. Michael Schumacher didn't see the checkered flag either, hit from behind Takuma Sato. The Japanese driver was under pressure for his F1 future, having scoring just one point all season. He wanted to prove himself, but hit Michael Schumacher, who was not amused. The surprise of the race was Tiago Monteiro, who took the last point.
Just as in Turkey, Montoya threw away his second place, making life easy for Renault. Alonso's title was secured when needed to finish only third in Interlagos. The start of the race was chaotic. Mark Webber, Antonio Pizzonia and David Coulthard were involved in an incident. Unfortunately the starting minutes were the only interesting moments in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Fernando Alonso didn't mind too much. He finished third, claiming his first world title. The Spaniard was the youngest world champion in Formula 1 ever.
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The last two races were about the constructors' championship. Both McLaren and Renault had a good chance of winning it. The Japanese Grand Prix was without a doubt one of the most exiting races all season. Kimi Raikkonen snatched victory from Giancarlo Fisichella on the last lap. Alonso was in great shape too, overtaking Michael Schumacher from the outside in the 130R corner. Takuma Sato had a less positive weekend. He tried to impress his own crowd, as his contract with BAR was not renewed.
He did a good job in qualifying, but threw it all away at the start crashing into Jarno Trulli, after attempting an impossible overtaking move.
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Renault went to the last race in China with a slight advantage over McLaren. Raikkonen and Montoya had to win to take the title, but they didn't. Renault's season was a complete success, claiming both championships. For Ferrari the season ended in style. Michael Schumacher crashed with Christijan Albers while driving to the grid - before the race even started. In the race the German span out, behind the safety car.
The 2005 season was special. For the first in years a team other than Ferrari and driver other than Michael Schumacher won the world championship. The tyres were the key to success, but even more the lack of success. Next year the rules will change again, allowing teams to change tyres in the race. Bridgestone has more teams too, which might get Ferrari back on top again. Maybe it will be as interesting as last season, with perhaps a little more excitement in the battle for the title.
