New Delhi: With new Formula One circuits coming up with a fair degree of regularity over the last decade, the upcoming Indian Grand Prix represents yet another such venture undertaken by the F1 fraternity, in its search for greener pastures.
Since the inaugural Chinese GP was won by Rubens Barichello (driving for Ferrari then) in 2004, quite a few have sprung up in the years gone by.
Kimi Raikkonen of Finland, driving for McLaren won the first ever Turkish Grand Prix in 2005, which was followed by Sebastian Vettel’s triumph in the inaugural Abu Dhabi GP in 2009, and then it was Spaniard Fernando Alonso’s turn to take the honours in the South Korean GP, which made its debut the following year.
However, the Buddh International Circuit, the stage for the inaugural Indian GP will have all the past champions since the turn of the century, apart from 2007 winner, Raikkonen.
Although there is talk that Raikkonen will make a return to F1 with Williams next year, the fact of the matter is that motorsport fans in India will be denied the presence of one of the most skillful drivers in recent years, in one of the landmark events in the country’s sporting history.
The man who finished runner up for the bulk of his career just because the overall package of the machinery did not support his ability, has been trying in luck in the World Rally Championships, without a great degree of success.
After making his debut for the Sauber Patronas team in 2001, Raikkonen was quickly snapped up by McLaren Mercedes (2002-2006), with whom he truly came of age as a champion racer.
His amazing speed and car control was on view during the 2003 and 04 Brazilian GP, where he was in a league of his own in treacherous weather conditions, while others fell by the wayside.
After finishing runner-up to Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) in 2003 and Fernando Alonso in 2005 (Renault), the Finn won the driver’s championship with Ferrari in 2007 at the expense of Lewis Hamilton, by a mere point in the season finale at Brazil’s Interlagos circuit.
With 16 race wins and 18 pole positions to his name, Kimi Raikkonen has proved that he got what it takes to rub shoulders with the very best in business, however, aged 32, it’s more a question of what’s the sport got to offer him, should he make a comeback with Williams in 2012.
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