MONTECARLO – And Ferrari is immediately against McLaren, burning asphalt, challenge to the last thousandth. The long weekend of Montecarlo starts with a double practice session full of spectacular ideas. In the first part, that of the morning, Michael Schumacher puts everyone in a row, starting with his rival number one Mika Hakkinen. The world champion then draws on his interest by scoring the best time in the afternoon with 1’21”387. To separate the two litigants a breath of air with the German who stops the clock on 1’21”486.

Behind the usual known the other Silver Arrow driver David Coulthard, then a surprising Eddie Irvine. Rubens Barrichello was late but he did not seem to have found the right hand on the Red and had to settle for 10th place. But they are timing details that count right to ignite expectations. The assets of the various teams are in fact far from those that will be used in the race. In addition, the track is certainly not at its best with a lot of debris scattered along the track.

What matters is the tension, the premise of a duel that announces already exciting. In the statements of the eve the McLaren flaunts the usual optimism of the façade, but inside the wall some crack is glimpsed. Hakkinen is sure: “It will be an exciting championship, which will be decided in the sprint, and the most reliable car will win it”. And you do not understand, given how it went so far, if you say it with satisfaction or regret.

At Ferrari there is a new awareness, which this year has returned to keep company with the men of Maranello. For Ross Brawn this car “is the best ever made” by the Italian team. Even Schumacher knows this and knows that now, it’s time to make no mistake. Everyone is quick to argue the opposite, but the Monaco Grand Prix has the air of being a decisive race.

It will certainly be if it is colored by Rosso Ferrari, with McLaren forced more and more to chase. Schumi on the streets of the principality has already won four times, the last one a year ago in front of Irvine, if he arrived the fifth could start to put the champagne in the fridge. Although he denies: “We are not yet in a phase of the season where the gap in the standings can be considered irrecoverable, of course I will try to do well as always, but we do not charge this race too much”.

Phrases of circumstance that will serve to cover the games until Saturday, when in the official tests Ferrari and McLaren will go hunting for the pole of life. In a circuit where overtaking is almost impossible, starting before everyone is an advantage to conquer with your teeth. Schumacher and Hakkinen know this and are already thinking about it.