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Mar 26,2006 - Apr 2,2006 |
'Fisico': after the Sepang title
Italian driver thinks big and launches his perfume
By Salvatore Zanca
SEPANG, Malaysia - There were only words of congratulations and elation coming out of Giancarlo Fisichella's radio after the Renault driver's victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.
That was in sharp contrast to last week in Bahrain, when Fisichella began swearing into the team radio when he dropped out after 21 laps with engine problems as teammate Fernando Alonso sped on to the win.
This time it was Fisichella ahead of Alonso as the pair gave Renault only its second 1-2 finish, with the last coming 24 years ago at the 1982 French Grand Prix.
Fisichella was ahead of Alonso by 4.5 seconds at the finish, and controlled the race throughout. Honda's Jenson Button took third in the 56-lap race at the 3.4-mile Sepang International Circuit. Juan Pablo Montoya in a McLaren-Mercedes was fourth.
"It was important for me to do my best," said Fisichella. "It was really hot. In the middle of the race you are tired. It's important to concentrate."
Jacques Villeneuve of Iberville, Que., finished seventh.
"It was an easier race than I had expected and I knew I should be in good shape mechanically because it was the first race for my engine," Villeneuve said. "We've scored the points we should have taken in Bahrain so I am happy. The race pace was strong, so we need now to work on our qualifying."
It was a tough day for the Midland team, which is owned by Russian-born Canadian Alex Shnaider. Christijan Albers of the Netherlands finished 12th while Portugal's Tiego Monteiro was thirteenth.
Fisichella previously won at the rain-shortened Brazilian Grand Prix in 2003 - a victory initially given to Kimi Raikkonen - and last year's Australian race.
Michael Schumacher, who won five straight world championships until Alonso broke the streak last year, started 14th on the grid after dropping 10 places due to an engine change. Ferrari was uncertain of the reliability of the new V8 engine after the opening race.
He finished behind Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa in sixth place.
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