©Wri2
Ferrari 248 F1 - 2006
Ferrari endured a major slide in 2005, with Schumacher only tasting victory in a farcical race at Indy where only the six Bridgestone-shod cars (the two Ferraris along with the Jordans and Minardis) took part in the event following safety concerns over the Michelin tyres. But once again, the Scuderia bounced back the following season, though its lead driver’s 2006 title charge was a slow burner behind reigning champion Fernando Alonso at Renault.
Indeed, Schumacher was 35 points adrift of the Spaniard after the Canadian Grand Prix but he then hit his stride during the summer, driving the 248 F1 (for 2.4-litre V8 normally aspirated engine) to three consecutive wins in the US, France, and Germany.
Schumacher even drew level on points with Alonso after adding back-to-back victories in Italy and China, where he claimed his 91st and final success after a brillant drive in mixed weather conditions.
Hopes of a record eighth title went up in smoke when a rare engine failure - the first since 2000 - forced Schumacher into retirement while he was leading in Japan. Having announced his retirement in Monza, the German legend capped the last stint of his F1 career with a spirited recovery from last to fourth in Brazil.
