In the olden days, when I was a little lad, I was often taken to watch a game called Rugby League. In those days, it was essentially a ball game in which two sides of thirteen absolutely huge men, all with attitude, funny ears, flat noses and grim determination, used to deliberately knock each other over, only to get up instantly, in order to continue their unabated efforts to get the ball from one end of the pitch to the other. This they did for eighty minutes.

All the players, to a man, were destined to be local pub landlords, the sort of pub where a modern day bouncer would have been considered to be a complete waste of time, a small grimace from “the man” being quite enough to quell even the consideration of the slightest unrest in the saloon bar.

If the ball went in the stands, as it frequently did, it was always retained by the crowd, at which gesture, the players would stand on the touch line and chorus “Can we have our ball back, please?”, or words to that effect. The response was always the same, predictably from the same noisy wag, shouting back “Ne’er mind t’ball, let’s get on wit’ bloody game!”. We all used to laugh like anything.

In this writer’s opinion, wouldn’t it be absolutely lovely if all the F1 players could be allowed to take on board the same sort of advice, and simply get on with the game? No equalising rule changes, no contrived stoppages, no draconian penalties, just plain unadulterated motor racing. Please?

I have been weary for far too long of the antics of certain mouth breathing no-neck journalists trying to generate some sort of controversy around the F1 scene in general, perhaps manfully trying to add a bit of sparkle to a potentially lost cause, but with a particularly contrived resentment towards the success of the marque Ferrari. The unfair comment that “they are only good because of the volume of money heaved at the development” shows a singular lack of knowledge of the subject on which they have chosen to write, and to suggest that Michael Schumacher , “Is only good because he is part of the best package” demonstrates a lack of understanding to the degree that the comment is almost offensive.

You will note that we no longer refer to a racing car as a “car”, having recognised that the tyres, the chassis, the engine and last but not least, the driver, are all essential components for a winning formula, hence the expression package. Thankfully we no longer refer to the driver as a plug-in light bulb, but it is nice for all the components to get equal mention. I am sure it helps the sponsorship deals, but where does the unfairness of a winning package come in? Surely it is up to the also-rans to get their own individual acts together, to play serious catch up better than of late, and to generate a higher level playing field through raising their own endeavours, rather than attempting to bring Ferrari backwards so that the less able can consider joining in and making a game of it?

Boring at Ferrari, I think not, but it cannot be nice for the marketing departments of either BMW or Mercedes Benz to witness “their” engines being blown into the weeds, particularly at a home circuit like Hockenheim, simply because the rest of their chosen package is failing to come up to scratch. Surely such circumstances must generate some sort of internal pressure within the teams in question? Let us hope so, and can we see some positive activity please?.

The off track antics of people who should know better trying to explain just what the word “contract” implies, must surely have been best summed up by David Coulthard with his comment to the effect that “F 1 contracts are not marriages of the ‘till death do us part variety, more your marriages of convenience”. It was, therefore, very wholesome of Jenson Button to submit himself to being interviewed live on ITV before Saturday’s pre-qualifying period. But having said that, the smugness of his responses certainly made it clear he was not out to do himself any favours. He had been given a perfect platform from which he could have repaired some of the adverse criticism which has flowed his way since he declared his intent to join Williams for 2005 apparently without prior consultation with his present employers.

“Jenson, why didn’t you tell David Richards directly of your intent to move to Williams immediately you had made up your mind, instead of leaking it through the press?” “I did, I told the team principle through my manager, the press leakages making it quite impossible for me to do it any other way”. Eh? “What do you say to the suggestion that you are perhaps being greedy for money and that you are being disloyal to BAR?” “It’s not about money, it’s about my ambition to be World Champion. And in any case, don’t forget BAR have done very well out of me, my having scored more points for the team than ever before”. At least he had the grace to mention the team, and presumably we are also to believe that being World Champion is enough for him and is not cash related? So it’s alright then? Thank heavens he wasn’t invited to have an opinion on his understanding of the word “loyalty”, his efforts would have surely added to my confusion.

The timed practice was held in overcast and very cool conditions, and there was a hint of rain in the middle of the session. The usual comments about the advantages/ disadvantages of the Bridgestone/Michelin tyre options were brought into play by the commentators, the consensus view being that the weather conditions favoured the Bridgestone runners. So as not to disappoint, both Ferraris made the front row of the grid, Michael Schumacher fastest at 1:19.146 with Rubens Barrichello 0.370 seconds adrift, both drivers looking in total control and very comfortable with the job in hand. Sato (BAR Honda) was third and to team mate Button’s (BAR Honda) credit, he drove exceedingly well under the present circumstances to complete the second row by being fourth. To be fair, Button had declared his intent to drive hard and to the best of his ability, despite the discomfort he must surely feel within the BAR garage. David Richards was generous enough to make the observation that Button’s place on the second row proves some sort of a point, and that he would not allow the team to be destabilised by side issues. Good for him. The rest of the grid was spread evenly in the usual predictable manner, with the McLarens of Raikkonen and Coulthard surprised everyone by being a disappointing 10th. and 12th. respectively, apparently brought about by the wrong choice of tyre compound.

It was noted that Michael Schumacher could not win the drivers' title if he won at the Hungaroring, but Ferrari could clinch the constructors' crown if the anticipated favourable result came to fruition. It was also noted that such an achievement would be a wonderful way in which to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Enzo Ferrari.

The race day was warm and sunny, but there was a minor scare for the tifosi when Barrichello failed to move on the green light for the warm up lap. Thankfully, whatever the problem, he did move away before being overtaken by the tail enders, thus allowing him to assume his front row position on the grid for the starting line-up. The race proper started brilliantly, with the two Ferraris in line going into the first corner. There was the usual blinding start from Alonso (Renault) in which he shot past both the BAR Hondas from fifth on the grid, and then proceeded to maintain his third place, completely unchallenged, for the next 70 laps. Poor Raikkonen retired on the 17th. lap, this being his 8th. DNF of the season. Clearly a very bitter pill to swallow for such a talented driver who was pushing for the Championship right up to the last event in 2003. One of the ever observant pit lane cameramen picked up some Ferrari drama, with what was assumed to be a malfunction on the re-fuelling rig. There were some mechanical adjustments being made, but it was subsequently reported that this was a precautionary action, rather than remedial. Michael Schumacher continued throughout the race at what can only be described as a tremendous pace, consistently lapping in the early 1:19’s, these times being a full 2.5 seconds quicker than last year's fastest lap.

The race finished with the anticipated Ferrari one - two, the Renault of Alonso being a very creditable third. Montoya (Williams) finished fourth, with Button (BAR Honda) fifth, ahead of his team mate Sato.

The Constructors Championship was secured for Ferrari for the 14th time, with Michael Schumacher equalling the 1953 record of Alberto Ascari (Ferrari) of seven F1 wins in a row.

It was a good race despite the Hungaroring having a reputation of being a very difficult one line no-overtaking circuit, but above all, it was a good result for Ferrari.

Please can we have more of the same, and be allowed to get on with the game?

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