A Lackluster Begin
There’s little question that Ferrari has had an unsatisfactory begin to the 2025 Method 1 World Championship, as, after simply three races, it’s 76 factors behind McLaren within the Constructors’ Championship, and Charles Leclerc is 42 factors adrift of chief Lando Norris. Contemplating the winter expectations, justified by the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the outcomes are fairly poor.
Nonetheless, it’s additionally true that there are nonetheless 21 races left within the season, and it’s equally true that in 2024, after three races, McLaren was in third place (with just one top-3 end in qualifying and one podium within the race) 42 factors behind Crimson Bull after which went on to win the Constructors’ Championship. Subsequently, the judgment for Ferrari is definitely not optimistic, however there may be nonetheless time to make up the hole – in a season that can finish in December.
The Standard Over-the-High Headline from Bild
On Monday, April 7, the German newspaper Bild – as is its type – didn’t maintain again in describing Ferrari’s present state of affairs and titled: “The Return of the Crimson Cucumber,” evaluating Lewis Hamilton’s begin at Maranello to Michael Schumacher’s practically thirty years in the past. The tough tone is maintained all through the article, the place the dream is described as turning right into a nightmare, and Hamilton is alleged to be “solely a matter of time earlier than he explodes in frustration and the Prancing Horse takes over.”
These are clearly unkind phrases, however they’re in keeping with what Bild has been recognized for through the years – particularly relating to the Italian crew.
In Michael Schumacher’s first 12 months at Maranello, he failed to start out from pole place in France attributable to a blown engine through the formation lap.
Bild was extraordinarily harsh: “Within the trash together with this cucumber!” with a headline: “Schumi: the Ferrari smoke underneath his rear finish.” Michael Schumacher, a two-time champion with Benetton, accepted the problem from the Prancing Horse, and his first season was definitely not simple…
…and in 2006
After profitable 5 consecutive world titles and making historical past, Bild revisited the 12 months when all of it started, ten years later – in a 2006 article. The ‘pink cucumber’ label was coined, which was then used once more simply a few days in the past for Lewis Hamilton.
“His first Ferrari was the pink cucumber,” with this caption underneath the photographs: “Already in February, throughout Estoril testing, Schumi ran away from the Ferrari in flames. ‘The place have I ended up?’ he appeared to ask.”
Idiots within the Pits
Many will keep in mind the 2001 Malaysian Grand Prix, when a monsoon hit the Sepang observe through the third lap of the race. There was a substantial amount of confusion, and Michael Schumacher discovered himself ready for over a minute within the pit lane for teammate Rubens Barrichello’s tire change – Barrichello, who was forward of him, had misplaced his proper entrance tire.
Schumi re-entered the observe in eleventh place, and because of the Security Automotive, he managed to remain in contact with the leaders and executed an thrilling comeback that noticed him win the race with a 23-second lead.
Bild pointed the finger at Ferrari’s mechanics: “They’re again! The idiots within the Ferrari pits. Oh my God! One, two, three, the place’s the fourth?” referring to the lacking tire throughout Barrichello’s cease. The article then had an much more direct assault: “Arduous to consider Schumi gained this race. The idiots within the Ferrari pits had ruined every thing once more…”
Poor Schumacher, surrounded by a bunch of incapable individuals – who would finally assist him win 5 consecutive world titles throughout these years.
However Now There’s No Schumacher
If in all these situations there may very well be some justification for the hyper-protectionism towards Michael Schumacher, in 2025 – despite the fact that Ferrari isn’t delivering as anticipated – the “return of the pink cucumber” appears excessively offensive and closing, particularly for the reason that Method 1 World Championship is barely simply starting.
Might it maybe be associated to Lewis Hamilton’s determination to depart Mercedes, a German crew, and be part of Ferrari? Ah, who is aware of…
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