A discussion between Michael Schumacher and Bernie Ecclestone about the new points system, adopted before the 2003 season.
"Ash Ketchum is now 30 seconds up on Coulthard after he, Montoya and Yoong made their only stops of the race. And the Ferrari guys have made time against Ketchum's lead." Speed Channel guy #2 said as Keith towed a still shaken up Rubens closely behind, clearing the wounded car of Ralf Schumacher down the start/finish straight. The Ferrari team watched their drivers on as they made their way to the front. Growlithe on the other hand, was too busy playing with Lorelei and being its friendly self.
"Cut it out. That tickles." Lorelei laughed as Growlithe licked her face over and over again. Ever since Michael allowed Ross, Jean and Rubens to let the puppy Pokémon become Ferrari's team Pokémon, the Pokémon has taken every opportunity to help out the team and be friendly by whatever means necessary. This Growlithe is a very playful and extremely happy little Pokémon, which made Michael a bit disgusted about seeing Growlithe saying hi to everybody in its own way by licking his or her face over and over.
"Growlithe is one very friendly Pokémon. Ever since it became our team Pokémon, it's his sole duty to be friendly to everybody." Jean Todt said as he looked over his shoulder to see what was going on,
"Oh, no wonder he's so sweet." Lorelei said as she petted Growlithe some more, completing forgetting about Keith and the race. On the track, Rubens was shown his interval to that of Ash on his pit board and he didn't like what he saw. It said, '+32.5 Ketchum.'
"What does Ketchum have in that damn engine? He has more straight-line speed, acceleration and power than every engine out here! We'll never catch him!!" Rubens said, his negative side showing to the Ferrari team. Keith on the other hand, was Mr. Positive.
"Don't say that, Rubens!! We'll catch him!! I'm The Patriot!! I won't be defeated!!" Keith said as he towed Rubens behind as they closed in on the Yoong, Coulthard and Montoya battle. Rubens groaned. He hated when Keith started saying that he is the almighty driver from America.
"Somebody please kill me." Rubens said to himself as he followed Keith past Jenson Button's Sauber to move both of them up one more spot. On lap 28, there would be another wreck and Ralf Schumacher would be on the receiving end. He was racing with Nick Heidfeld and Jarno Trulli into Curva Grande when the Jaguar and the Renault made contact at the exit of the long turn. Ralf tried to go to the grass on the right but found the Renault of Jarno crashing into his side pod and smacking the rear left tire with the nose of the Renault. BAR driver Olivier Panis didn't see the wreck until he saw Heidfeld's car spin right for him. Panis tried an evasive maneuver, but Heidfeld's Jaguar hit Panis' BAR and sent the Frenchman in the air and had a rough landing where something internal broke inside the BAR. It was an important part of the car's suspension. This was the second race in a row that Olivier Panis and Nick Heidfeld have crashed into each other.
"Heidfeld and Trulli collide and each driver hit Ralf Schumacher and Olivier Panis!! Schumacher gets hit once again as Panis goes for a ride in the air thanks to Heidfeld!!" Speed Channel guy #1 said as the TV showed repeats of the latest crash. The replay showed some parts of the BAR flying off the car as it landed smack dab on the ground.
"And that landing Panis had must have busted up something. It was a real hard landing." Speed channel guy #2 said as Panis gingerly drove his BAR back to the pits to check if anything was damaged. Lap 29 saw something that all the drivers behind Ash wanted to see, but Ash didn't. The FIA stewards are giving Ash drive-thru penalty for exiting pit lane a bit too fast after his only stop. The stewards have been reviewing the replay of Ash's car leaving the pits too fast and it was clear that he did. After the review, Sylvie had to give Ash the news. And he didn't like the call.
"DAMMIT!!! I wasn't speeding!! I had my finger on the button!!" Ash yelled out as he was shown a penalty flag from an FIA flagman as he blew by the start/finish straight.
"You want to lose this race because of a violation, Ash?!! Remember what happened at Imola earlier this year? Get your ass in here, now!!" Sylvie ordered harshly as Ash said some swears to himself,
"Ketchum's getting a drive-thru penalty for exiting pit lane too fast!! What a bad break for the young man from Japan!!" Speed Channel guy #1 said as Ash slowed down to the pit lane speed of 60 KPH, which equals out to 37 MPH. Very slow to the drivers after racing at speeds of 180 MPH most of the day.
"But, what a lucky break for the rest of the field. They could make up a lot of ground on him now." Speed Channel guy #2 added as Ash's trip down the pits took an eternity in his mind. After traveling down pit lane at slow speeds, Ash made sure he passed the pit lane exit line before letting his thumb off the pit speed limiter button and speeding away. As he entered Variante Goodyear, he could see the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya and the McLaren of David Coulthard race each other to the chicane, while Keith and Rubens were just behind them. Ash now had to push his Toyota to the limit to get that giant lead he had before being sent to the pits. This wasn't the first time Ash has gotten a penalty as he led a race. Back at the San Marino GP at Imola, Ash was leading Juan Montoya by 21 seconds with 5 laps left, when he hit David Coulthard for slowing him up real good. The FIA stewards gave him a 10-second stop and go penalty, but Ash forgot to come in and serve it. The FIA added a 30-second time penalty to his total race time just seconds after he crossed the line, meaning he lost his 21-second lead and Montoya was declared the winner.
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The race has finally gotten less chaotic as the laps wound down, but a few more drivers would drop out of the event. Olivier Panis' day ended at lap 35 when the damaged suspension from the lap 28 crash finally broke, making him spin into the gravel trap at 2A Variante. Jenson Button was next as the engine in his Sauber done blowed up big time down Rettifilio Centro on lap 40. On lap 44, Ralf Schumacher would bite the dust as something inside the Williams broke and made his car stop right at the pit lane entrance. His bad day was now over. And Eddie Irvine's day went from bad to worse when his transmission gave up all of a sudden on lap 46, ending his day. The remaining drivers now focused themselves on finishing the race. With less than 6 laps remaining before win #3 of 2005, Ash Ketchum wasn't going to switch to cruise control with his 20 second lead over Keith and Rubens even though his aunt/head wrench Sylvie McCallister wanted him to. He wanted to beat the Ferrari team at their home track! This was his race to lose and looks like he ain't going to lose it. The Ash Ketchum fan club was loving this. Seeing the object of their affection lead the closing laps of the Italian Grand Prix.
"Ash is going to win!! He's going to win!!!" The girls of the fan club cheered as the laps wound down. Over on the top of the hill, two Officer Jennys were more amazed than shocked to see a giant group of high school girls go ga-ga over guys who drive in fiberglass caskets for a living.
"Oh, god. These girls actually put up a giant viewing screen to watch the race? No wonder everybody can't get to sleep. Ash Ketchum is leading." Officer Jenny #2 said as they just watched the race along with the Ash Ketchum Fan Club.
"There is a sure fire way to make them shut up. Ash is notorious for being over confident while leading. He'll screw up soon." Officer Jenny #1 said as Ash lost a bit of time to Keith and Rubens on his last lap,
"No, he won't. He's one of the best drivers out there." Jenny #2 argued,
"Jenny. I'll bet you $50 he'll screw up and lose the race." Jenny #1 said confidently,
"You're on, Jenny." Jenny #2 said as they both watched on, not even looking at each other after their bet.
One life I'm gonna live it up
I'm takin' flight I said I'll never get enough
Stand tall I'm young and kinda proud
I'm on top as long as the music's loud
"Ash, take it easy. The Ferrari's are 20 seconds behind you. You can afford to slow down and save your tires." Sylvie radioed to a cocky Ash, who crossed the start/finish line once again. She didn't like the way Ash overused the car when he's leading the last few laps of a race.
"Yeah right, Sylvie!! The Ferraris won't catch me today!! This race is in the bag!!" Ash said, letting his ego take control. His Michelin tires were starting to lose grip. If Ash continued to race hard for the last laps of the race, he could be in some major shit and have the Ferraris breathing down his neck before the last lap. Sylvie sighed in frustration. One thing she doesn't like about her nephew is that he thinks he's the king of the world when he's about to win a race. So, Ash does anything to keep the lead of the race. The San Marino GP incident is one of those incidents where Ash's ego got the best of him and he paid for it.
"5-1 that the Ferraris will catch up to Ash with 1 lap left." Miyamoto said as she looked at the monitor with Sylvie,
"Gimme $200 on the Ferraris, Miyamoto. Ash is going to fuck up shortly and I can feel it in my bones." Sylvie said as she handed Miyamoto a handful of bills. Time was running out for Keith and Rubens. The American wanted to quit babysitting Rubens, but Michael would kill him if he just up and left him. Right now, Keith wanted a miracle to happen.
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin'
The laps wound down for Ash. With each lap, he went faster than the last lap. He even reset the fastest lap of the race with a 1:23:421. It was a fast time, even with his worn Michelin tires. Somehow, he couldn't add more time to his already big interval. The two Ferraris were matching his pace and their Bridgestone tires were still new, but he knew Terrell and Barrichello are too far behind to catch him. The Ferrari team watched on as their hopes for victory were dashed with each time Ash went through the time intermediates. Keith's only hope to snag victory from the jaws of defeat were becoming dimmer and dimmer with each passing second. Everybody thought Ash is just moments away from pulling off the victory. But back in Kanto, one person doesn't think he can do it. And that was Ash's best friend.
"Ash is too confident in his abilities as a driver. I think that trait carried on from his Pokémon training days. He'll make a mistake before the race ends. Then, the two Ferrari guys will snatch the win from under Ash's nose." Brock said as the TV continued to show Ash race his ass off around the Monza track. He was at Delia Ketchum's house along with his girlfriend Suzie, were watching the live coverage of the Grand Prix. Ash's mom invited the two over to actually see what Ash does for a living instead of Pokémon training. Delia was excited to see her son lead a Grand Prix event, but she questioned Brock about what he said.
"But, how can Ash lose? He has a 20-second lead." Delia said as the TV showed the latest interval between Ash and the Ferraris. It was still in the 20-second region.
"All it takes is one tiny mistake on Ash's part. From what Ash told me, the driver who makes the least mistakes in the race, will win." Brock answered. Suzie didn't say anything. She just kept her eyes on Ash navigating the corners at Monza. This was the first real Formula One race she has ever seen. And she picked a good race to see what F1 racing is all about.
That's right here's where the talkin' ends
Well listen, listen this night there'll be some action spent
Drive hard I'm callin' all the shots
I got an ace card comin' down on the rocks
Ash sped across the start finish line to start the penultimate lap. His 20-second lead over Keith and Rubens stabilized and looks like today will be Ash's day once again. Ash sped his way through 2A Variante and was ready to brake for Curva di Lesmo. He went into the corner too hot, missed his braking point and slammed the brakes, causing them to lock up along with the steering and he went straight for the gravel trap.
"Oh, shit!! Oh, crap!!! Oh, Jesus Christ!! Goddammit!! Get back on the fucking road, you piece of crap!!!" Ash yelled out as his Toyota bounced all over the kitty litter. He kept the hammer down as the gravel shot out from under the tires, trying to find any traction to get him out of there and not beach the car. After what seemed like an eternity, Ash finally got his Toyota back on the track. His car dumped out a ton of gravel onto the track as his car accelerated from the spot.
"Ketchum went off!! He went into the Lesmo too hot and went for a ride through the gravel trap. There's no telling what damage has been done to the under tray of his car!!" Speed Channel guy #1 said as the TV showed the Ferrari drivers making their way to 2A Variante, unaware of Ash's little off road excursion.
"I told you, Ash. The tires are already gone. I told you to slow down and save them." Sylvie said, just loving every minute of hearing Ash swear in Japanese down the Curve del Serraglio.
"I can still win!!!" Ash yelled out as he jammed the small gear shifter next to him into a higher gear. Back in Pallet, Brock just nodded to himself after watching Ash go off the track. All of this watching Ash go off and the tension of the last laps was actually starting to make this accident filled race very exciting.
"You were right, Brock. I guess Ash was too confident about him winning." Delia said as the Toyota team watched in horror as their driver went off,
"I think reality is going to hit Ash shortly. And it's going to hit him real hard." Brock added as he reached for some more snacks that Mr. Mime brought into the room.
"This is so exciting. I'm on the edge of my seat." Suzie said as she was about to fall off her seat just watching the race until Mr. Mime pushed her back into the seat.
"You may want to scoot back a little. I know the race is about to get interesting, but that's no reason to be so excited about Ash going off the track." Brock said to his girlfriend. Moments later, the three started to laugh. All three of them were on the edge of their seats with Ash ahead.
If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You got another thing comin
You got another thing comin'
You got another thing comin'
Keith and Rubens approached the right hand Curva di Lesmo turn and spotted fresh tire marks left from hard braking that led into the gravel trap. A lot of gravel was thrown on the track at the exit of the turn. Their first guess is that somebody went off and got back on.
"Looks like somebody went off real good and was in a hell of a hurry to get back on." Rubens said as he and Keith slowed down a bit to avoid losing grip from the loose gravel and sliding off into retirement,
"Hey, Jean. Did you see the driver who went off?" Keith asked as he and Rubens passed the dumped gravel on the exit of Lesmo,
"I don't know. I'm getting sketchy information that it was probably Ash, but I'm not sure." Jean Todt answered,
It better be him. Keith thought to himself as he and Rubens past Ash's mess. If he did go off, that means he and Rubens still have some shot of catching Ash.
In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Answer now is don't give in, aim for a new tomorrow
Ash was really pissed. His went into the kitty litter at Curva di Lesmo because he went into the turn too fast. Knowing that he lost a lot of time, Ash gunned the engine down the Curve del Serraglio, trying to make up for lost time. As he approached Curva del Vialone, he got the scare of his life and a sign that his time leading the race was up. He braked for the left-hander from 200 MPH, but he missed his braking point again and his Toyota went straight into the gravel trap. His Michelin tires had no grip left.
"SHIT!!! My tires are gone!!! I have no grip!!!" Ash yelled out as he fought with his car over the gravel, ignoring the Ascari Chicane and got himself back on the road.
"I told you so, Ash." Sylvie said. He lost more time with his latest off and the Ferraris sped their way through Vialone and Ascari, making up the time to Ash and they were finally seeing the back of Ash's car. The Ferraris were closing in on it fast.
"Do you see what I see?!!" Rubens asked,
"One Ash Ketchum!! He screwed up at Vialone and Ascari!! Let's take him now!!!" Keith said as the two Ferraris got into Ash's draft. Ash looked at his rear view mirrors and spotted the two cars he didn't want to see, the Ferraris. They were breathing down his neck down Rettifilio Centro, posed to make their move on a tired out Toyota at Parabolica.
"You two aren't passing me that easily. I still got a few tricks left in this car." Ash said to himself as the three entered Parabolica. Ash had a perfect line, but the rear tires started to spin because of no traction left, ruining his chance for a great exit. Both Ferrari drivers went into Parabolica deep so they could get a fast exit speed. The three barreled out of Parabolica to start the final lap. Ash saw the Ferraris close in and he knew this was it and the whole Ferrari team were ready to celebrate of they could pass Ash.
"This is it. Split him, boys!!" Ross Brawn ordered as he and the rest of the team watched their drivers close in on Ash. Doing what Ross ordered, Keith passed Ash on the right as Rubens passed Ash on the left as they reached Variante Goodyear one last time. Ash let off the gas as both Keith and Rubens passed him for the lead. His car had nothing left for them and everybody knew it. The Tifosi went wild as their heroes finally have taken the lead and looked poised to get another Ferrari one-two. Over in Celadon City however, the mood was much different. The mood was that of defeat.
"Ashy lost!!!" The girls of the Ash Ketchum fan club cried out as they watched their main man lose the lead of the race and probably the win. On the other hand, two Officer Jennys that were called to the park because of noise complaints from the neighbors, were kind of glad that Ash lost the race.
"I told you Ketchum would screw up, Jenny. Where's my $50?" Officer Jenny #1 said as she waited for her counterpart to give her the money,
"The race isn't over yet, Jenny. I still think Ash will make a move of Terrell and that so-called Brazilian Team Rocket Beater." Officer Jenny #2 said, mentioning the nickname a few Jennys gave Rubens during their attack on the Pokémon League in '03.
"You're still pissed off because that Barrichello guy kicked your ass early on in their invasion." Jenny #1 said, making Jenny #2 mutter some swears under her breath.
Oh so hot no time to take a rest yeah
Act tough ain't room for second best
Real strong got me some security
Hey I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah
With Keith and Rubens now in front of Ash, Keith decided to let Rubens take the win, so he can get all the points he can over Juan Montoya, who was running in 4th with a persistent David Coulthard right behind. The Ferraris sped through Curva Grande and Keith made his plan to let Rubens by at 2A Variante and hold off Ash.
"What?!! Keith Terrell accidentally locked up the brakes on his Ferrari and Rubens Barrichello passed him for the lead!!" Speed Channel guy #1 said as Keith did lock up the brakes on purpose to let Rubens by. At the exit of 2A Variante, Keith got back in line and Ash had to lift off the gas to miss hitting him. In the Ferrari pits, the team was a bit surprised to see Keith let Rubens by.
"Is Terrell nuts? Did anybody give him the order to let Rubens win?" Michael asked,
"None of us did. We ordered Keith and Rubens to race each other as long as they don't crash. I think Keith let him by so Rubens can get all the points he can." Jean Todt answered,
"Since Montoya is still running, I think that's the reason Keith let him by." Ross Brawn added as they watched Rubens now lead Keith and Ash down Curve del Serraglio for the final time. Rubens was more than surprised that Keith let him by for the lead. He didn't deserve the win, Keith did. His American teammate did all the work by working with him all the way to the front. The least he could do is to let Keith by and hold off Ketchum. And that is what he planned to do at Vialone.
If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'
You've got another thing comin
You've got another thing comin
you've got another thing...Owowowow!
You've got another thing comin'
Hey comin' now
At the braking points for Curva di Vialone, Rubens slammed on the brakes causing them to lock up, making everybody think that he lost concentration due to being placed up front. Keith just shot by Rubens to take the lead once again.
"Rubens!! What the hell?!!" Keith asked himself as Rubens slammed on the brakes at Vialone and Keith passed him. As soon as he did, Rubens got in line behind the American and made Ketchum check up to avoid hitting him as they exited the Ascari chicane for the last time.
"GO!! I'll hold Ketchum off!! He's done anyway!!" Rubens radioed to Keith, seeing the Toyota of Ash become smaller and smaller in their rear view mirrors as the group raced for Parabolica.
"And now Barrichello locks up his brakes and Keith Terrell is now in the lead!!" Speed Channel guy #2 said as the TV showed the reaction of the Ferrari team of Rubens' mistake,
"First Keith, now Rubens. Doesn't anybody want to win this race?" Ross asked to Michael and Jean, but both of them don't have a clue why Rubens did what he did. Ash was hoping that the Ferrari drivers screwed up at that important corner so Ash would still have a chance for victory. Instead, the Ferrari drivers exited Parabolica perfectly and sealed Ash's fate on this race. The Ferrari team ran to the pit wall and started going nuts like they always do when their drivers win a race. A few Ferrari pit guys started waving American flags for Keith to see as he and Rubens raced to the line. Lorelei noticed the team running to the pit wall, so she and Growlithe decided to see what was all the fuss about.
"Huh? What's going on?" Lorelei asked as she joined the Ferrari team at the pit wall, just in time to see Keith take the checkered flag with Rubens just behind him in 2nd. 5 seconds later, Ash's spent car crossed the finish line to take 3rd.
"That's what's going on!!! You're about to see the Tifosi go absolutely wild!" Ross Brawn answered as he and the team cheered on with the Italian crowd,
"It's Terrell!! Terrell's done it!! Keith Terrell wins the 2005 Grand Prix of Italy!! He has won it for the 2nd year in a row!!!! Speed Channel guy #1 said as Keith started punching the air like a mad man in celebration. Rubens pulled next to Keith and gave him the thumbs up while a dejected Ash slowly made his way down the straight, just thinking of what might have been.
"What a great race for the American!! He had to baby-sit Rubens for the whole race, but thanks to the mistakes of Ash, The Patriot is flying high once again at Monza!! I guess if he said he's going to win it, we should all listen from now on." Speed Channel #2 said as the rest of the point finishers and the surviving cars took the checkered flag to end their day.
"This day did belong to Ash Ketchum and that new Toyota engine of his, but his ego got in the way again and it cost him a win today at Monza. We'll be bright back with the podium ceremonies. You don't want to miss it." Speed channel guy #1 said as they went into commercial.
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Keith and Rubens finally arrived at Parc Ferme, where the two drivers were mauled by the whole Ferrari team and the Tifosi were going wild by the pit wall, showing their appreciation for another Ferrari Monza victory. The rest of the drivers arrived at Parc Ferme and everybody there were shocked to see Ronin Vertigo and Kimi Raikkonen actually finishing the race. Speed Channel was back on the air to catch both Ronin and Kimi exit their wounded cars.
"Ronin Vertigo and Kimi Raikkonen both finished the race today. After Ronin spinning himself in the middle of the track and Raikkonen's crash, they actually finished." Speed Channel guy #1 said as both Raikkonen and Ronin went to get weighed in the FIA inspection room and head to their motorhomes to rest. Kimi is usually out of the race most of the time, but the Jordan team slapped on a new rear wing and went back out to finish 10th. Ronin has had a lot of bad luck during the season. Despite his spin, he was actually gaining on Giancarlo Fishcella's McLaren for 8th place. Instead, he'll settle for 9th and a race finish. Back at the celebration, Rubens was just glad the race was over and Keith was overjoyed about winning a race, since he was handed the Hungarian GP win due to Montoya's penalty. Keith was hell bent on hugging and kissing every member of the Ferrari team, but Michael as usual didn't want Keith near him nor did he want the American to kiss him.
"Terrell, back off!! Back off!!! Get away from me!!" Michael yelled out as Keith tried to get him in a giant hug but gave up. Moments later, Ash finally arrived at Parc Ferme and got out of his car. He brushed off the Toyota guys and when Pikachu came up to congratulate him, Ash just placed her with Michael.
"Hey Ash. Are you all right?" Michael asked, a bit concerned seeing Ash not his happy self after getting a podium finish. If you led a race for the whole day, only to lose it in a few laps, wouldn't you be pissed off too?
"I don't want to talk about it, Schumacher." Ash said bluntly as he shook off some reporters and went into the FIA inspection room to be weighed. He made his way to the podium platform located over the pit wall.
"Don't worry about Ash, Pikachu. You can't win them all." Michael said as he petted Pikachu. A FIA official went to grab Keith and Rubens to they could be weighed and head to the podium to start the ceremonies. After the two Ferrari drivers were weighed and one of the Ferrari crewmen gave Keith an American flag, they made their way up to Monza's brand new podium. The podium rested on top of a platform above the pit wall and a walkway connected it to the paddock.
"There he is, Keith Terrell. The winner of the Italian Grand Prix. He and Rubens came from the 11th row of the grid with newly rebuilt spare cars to finish one-two again at Monza." Speed Channel guy #1 said as the three drivers walked up to the podium and took their places. Keith carried the American flag in his hand and displayed it for everybody to see. Keith and Rubens removed their Bridgestone caps and Ash took off his Michelin cap as the Star Spangled Banner, America's national anthem played in honor of Keith's victory. As soon as that was over, the Italian national anthem played in honor of Ferrari. It was then that the Tifosi went crazy, cheering and dancing to the anthem they have heard oh so many times. The very important people who run Italy gave Keith, Rubens and Ash their trophies as Michael Schumacher accepted the winning constructor's trophy for Ferrari. The FIA officials hurried the V.I.P.s away from the podium as Keith and Rubens tore open their champagne bottles and started to spray the crowd below. Ash decided to mope some other time and opened up his bottle of bubbly and drenched both Ferrari drivers with it. Finally, the three drivers hopped onto the top step of the podium for a photo-op for the camera guys. After Keith, Rubens and Ash headed for the press room, Michael spotted Lorelei at Parc Ferme, taking a good look at Keith's Ferrari F2005.
"Like what you see?" Michael asked, causing Lorelei to jump a bit by the sound of his voice.
"Well... I just wanted to see what his car looks like up close. That's all." Lorelei answered, still in some shock of being spooked by Michael.
"It's the same as Rubens. Since Keith is up talking to the press, I'll get you filled in about my plan for Keith later. The Minardi guys are going to help us out as well. Both Yoong and Webber finished in 6th and 7th today." Michael said as he and Lorelei walked down pit lane on route to the Minardi garage,
"All right. But you guys better not be planning a trap to harm Keith. Or, I will make you regret it." Lorelei said, her point got across to Michael, but he noticed something about the way she defended Keith. The American usually blushes a lot when he talks about her.
"So, you like him I take it." Michael said. This caused Lorelei's face to turn red from blushing. Michael wanted to laugh, but he didn't want to get nailed in the nuts the way Rubens hit him today.
To Be Continued...
Well, well, well. Looks like Rubens actually pulled over for Keith and let him win this time after they caught and passed Ash with one lap to go. This is the longest chapter I have ever written ever at 18 pages, but I had to tell this tale of the race. Next, the three drivers speak to the press about the race and one driver's problems from the first start will catch up with him.
For all of those readers who did badly in English, like me, penultimate means second to last. So, this lap Ash is on now is the second lap before the final lap. I just had to take care of this little tidbit.
In the last chapter, I did a little hissy fit about Giancarlo Fisichella's win at the Brazilian GP taken away and it was given to Kimi Raikkonen. Well, I found out during Speed Channel's coverage of the Grand Prix of San Marino that the FIA decided that Fisichella and the Jordan team did win that race, due to a goof up with the timing. So, I had the pleasure of seeing Raikkonen give the Brazil winner's trophy to Fisichella before the day started. Fisichella has been vindicated!!! Jordan has been vindicated!!!
Mario Alvarado
4/24/2003
Grand Prix Of Italy Race Results
1st: Keith Terrell, Ferrari (53 laps, finished)
2nd: Rubens Barrichello, Ferrari (-.520 behind, finished)
3rd: Ash Ketchum, Toyota (-5.321 behind, finished)
4th: David Coulthard, McLaren (-1:03.732 behind, finished)
5th: Juan Pablo Montoya, Williams (-1:04.322 behind, finished)
6th: Alex Yoong, Minardi (52 laps, finished)
7th: Mark Webber, Minardi (52 laps, finished)
8th: Giancarlo Fisichella, McLaren (51 laps, finished)
9th: Ronin Vertigo, Arrows (51 laps, finished)
10th: Kimi Raikkonen, Jordan (50 laps, finished)
11th: Eddie Irvine, Jaguar (46 laps, transmission failure)
12th: Ralf Schumacher, Williams (44 laps, mechanical failure)
13th: Jenson Button, Sauber (40 laps, engine failure)
14th: Olivier Panis, BAR (35 laps, suspension failure)
15th: Jarno Trulli, Renault (28 laps, contact)
16th: Nick Heidfeld, Jaguar (28 laps, contact)
17th: Tomas Scheckter, Renault (14 laps, electronics shorted out)
18th: Allan McNish, Toyota (12 laps, gearbox failure)
19th: Takuma Sato, Jordan (6 laps, contact)
20th: Francois Deletraz, Arrows (5 laps, brake failure)
21st: Felipe Massa, Sauber (2 laps, oil line failure)
22nd: Riley Jenius, BAR (1 lap, spun in gravel trap)