Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem - phrase from a Latin poem by Horace which means "seize the day". A good motto to live by as one doesn't know what tomorrow may bring. But what if, by seizing and making most of today, u become immortal tomorrow ? Impossible in today's world, people would say, but which was rendered possible by Michael Schumacher on 22 October 2006 at Interalgos, Brazil.

Statistically, Michael Schumacher will be remembered as one of the greates drivers to have graced the sport for Formula 1 racing. 7 world championships, 91 grand prix wins, most race wins in a season (2004: 13/18), most race wins with a team (Ferrari: 72), so on an so forth. But then again, statistics alone dont define a sportsman; its the manner in which those statistics were compiled. Schumacher's driving style was impeccable and he was always calm under pressure, a master of bad weather conditions and a shrewd tactician. Despite being dogged by on-track controversies many times in his career, Schumacher persevered and kept on winning, breaking and setting records and collecting laurels.

Schumacher had already announced his retirement from the sport after the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Coming into the last race at Interlagos, he was trailing Renault's Fernando Alonso by 10 points and needed to win the race followed by Alonso not scoring any points. A near impossible task given Alonso's performance throughout the year. The task looked surely impossible after Alonso qualified 4th and Schumacher 10th, following an engine blowout. The tension on raceday was one u could cut with a knife. Following a good start, Schumacher climbed to 5th place in 2 laps but his progress was curtailed by the safety car which came on after an accident between 2 other drivers. After the debris was cleared, the race resumed with Schumacher hot on the heels of Giancarlo Fisichella. An audacious overtaking move went wrong resulting in his left rear tyre getting punctured (later confirmed to be bcoz of debris). It was a different Schumacher that came out of the pits with new tyres, a full tank, a different strategy and a whole lot of attitude. Though he was a full lap behind race leader Felipse Massa, he persevered, as always, and started gobbling up one driver after another, as if they weren't there at all and suddenly it looked like Game On (if Alonso faltered). With 20 laps remaining, Schumacher was in 7th and pressing hard. Unfortunately, laps ran out and Schumacher could manage only the 4th position. But what a drive from the master esp his overtaking move on Raikkonen - vintage stuff !

Though Alonso and Renault won the drivers and constructors championship respectively, the race would be remembered for Schumacher's spellbinding drive and Massa winning his home grand prix. Believe me, I have nothing against Alonso and I think he was a deserving winner but Schumi's final drive left an indelible mark on the sport and its fans, including me. I count myself among the fortunate ones who saw Schumi live in action and win, not once but twice, at the 2003 & 2004 United States Grand Prix in Indianpolis. That is an experience I will cherish forever.

The only reason is supported Ferrari was because of Michael Schumacher. I sincerely hope that Massa & Raikkonen continue the winning tradition and do justice the the Ferrari flag hanging in my bedroom.