Károly Méhes recounts his journey to the 1999 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, which was gained by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari.
For a few years, the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola was the primary act of the European season. A go to to Emilia Romagna in spring was at all times a welcome reduction after an extended European winter. This time, I travelled with a small group of Hungarian journalists as a part of an organized journey. 4 of us flew from Budapest to Bologna after which employed a automotive for the ultimate leg to Cesenatico, the place our fancy lodge was positioned.
McLaren vs Ferrari
The second season of the nice McLaren vs Ferrari rivalry with Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher was properly underway when System 1 visited Imola in 1999. The Finn was defending champion, whereas Schumacher started his fourth season with Ferrari much more desirous to clinch the title. Schumacher had not made one of the best of begins to the season; he failed to attain in Melbourne and got here second to Häkkinen in Brazil. The tifosi have been hoping for the primary win of the season on dwelling turf in Imola.
No Approach
On Friday, our Hungarian group was given the distinctive alternative to interview Ferrari’s quantity 2 driver, Eddie Irvine, who had gained his first F1 race in Australia. The crude Ulsterman was in uncommon type throughout our chat within the Ferrari motorhome: “bullshit”, “no approach”, “I don’t care” or a easy shrug of the shoulders have been among the replies to our fastidiously crafted questions. I felt like a fiction author as I tried to place Eddie’s few phrases collectively for a correct interview in my paper.
Travails
Come Saturday, we had a puncture on the rented automotive, not distant from our lodge in Cesenatico. This was not a routine pit cease to alter a wheel, as a result of it was Could 1. Prima Maggio, una festa, bella vacanza. Every part was closed and no one was working. What to do? After making a number of calls it turned out that official help was unattainable. Solely the human issue remained. The son-in-law of our landlady occurred to be a mechanic and he was gracious sufficient to assist us. We misplaced time, after all. The morning was gone however we had hope for making it for qualifying. In Imola, itself we confronted one other problem. As if the hordes of F1 followers weren’t sufficient, the leftists had their conventional Could 1 march and gatherings. The streets have been gridlocked and full of individuals; a F1 automotive go didn’t assist a lot on this case.
Qualifying
On the Enzo e Dino Ferrari Circuit, McLaren-Mercedes had a entrance row lockout with Häkkinen and Coulthard. Schumacher was solely third. The large shock was the third row of the grid with Jacques Villeneuve in his new BAR adopted by Barrichello in a Stewart. Many have been sceptical about Villeneuve leaving Williams to signal for a model new group. Maybe some recommendation from former Champion Jody Scheckter, who turned up within the Paddock, gave him a lift.
Sunshine for Ferrari
Sunday introduced sunshine for Ferrari. Polesitter Häkkinen had constructed a commanding lead earlier than making a expensive mistake, crashing towards the concrete wall on the entrance of the beginning/end line. The wrecked McLaren got here to a cease on the grass verge, reverse the pits. A cheering crowd awaited as Mika climbed out of his “workplace”, handing over the result in Schumacher, who saved it until the chequered flag.
Maranello
So it was a house win for Ferrari in Imola. The primary time since 1983 when Tambay had gained. The complete autodromo was in an ecstatic temper, making it the right time to go to Maranello the following day. The small city, some 50 kilometers from the monitor, was in celebration mode. I paid a brief go to to the native church the place I used to be fortunate to satisfy Monsignore Alberto Bernardoni, who a few years earlier had began the custom of ringing the bells when a victorious Ferrari crossed the end line anyplace on this planet.
Fiorano
We have been delivered to the Fiorano check monitor, which was inbuilt 1972 and gave Ferrari a singular benefit when getting ready for races.
For me it was transferring to see the pista the place prior to now nice drivers reminiscent of Lauda, Villeneuve, Alboreto & Co. had carried out so many hundreds check laps, searching for the smallest of time features.
Ristorante Cavallino
The Maranello go to ended with a real Italian lunch within the Ristorante Cavallino, on the opposite facet of Ferrari’s entrance gates. The Ristorante is a small Ferrari museum in itself, with relics like helmets, engines and signed pictures on show. Maybe it isn’t an important sin after 20 years to admit that I took my serviette with me, a brilliant yellow piece of textile with a small embroidered Prancing Horse on it. Ever because it has a worthy place in my assortment at dwelling…
