Pffftrrari

What's very wrong with Formula-1 team Ferrari?

After years of punching the air at the end of almost every race to celebrate a Ferrari triumph, watching F-1 nowadays is more of a routine that I just have to do knowing all too well that there won't be any reason for celebration in the end.

The inaugural Turkish Grand Prix last weekend was another sorry tale for the once dominant Ferrari team. Michael Schumacher again had a DNF (did not finish) while teammate Rubens Barrichelo could not even land among the top eight that would earn points for the race.

I, just like many other disappointed Ferrari fans, must have so gotten used to the 1-2 finishes for the team in the previous years that seeing them struggle is like watching your brother being tortured while you're tied to a post.

Next year, Ferrari will change their second driver. Barrichelo will go to BAR Honda while Felipe Massa, another Brazilian, will take the second car of the scarlet team.

Schumi will remain as the team's top driver, but I don't think it's the attitude that is the problem nor the inability of Ferrari team officials to adapt to the new rules that have been put in place.

Many blame their Bridgestone Tires for the problem while I believe it has much to do with the car.

Ferrari probably was so dominant for such a long time that the team's development of their car did not become much of a priority. I could be wrong, but I am a hurt fan and hope to see those red cars take the checkered flag again.

Even my young F-1 buddy wants to receive good news about the previous night's race on Monday mornings when he wakes up for school.

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Seeing Ferrari win races, particularly Michael Schumacher, is just one of my sporting passions that I get to satisfy by being glued to the TV.

There are just so many sporting events that are being aired that give you so much choice for your televiewing pleasure and could leave you with a sore back for sitting too long on the couch.

Early Monday morning, my disappointment on Schumi's failure in the Turkish Grand Prix was easily overcome by seeing Tiger Woods with the WGC-NEC International golf title.

Woods was not exactly spectacular in that victory in terms of the margin of victory, but he showed the mark of a true champion with that long birdie on the 16th after finding his tee shot on the rough.

Any lesser man could have just crumbled. Tiger did not.

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If you like Tiger and you are from La Salle then there is a big possibility that you are a golfer. If the answer is yes, then you are probably what La Salle golf team skipper Gordon 'Dondi' Joseph is looking to fill up the roster for the Ateneo-La Salle Golf Tournament next month.

The tournament will be held at the Cebu Country Club on September 14 and 15. The requirement to join either a La Salle or Ateneo team is spending at least two years in a school run by either the La Salle Brothers or the Jesuits.

If you fit the bill then sound off.

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MILESTONES: Yesterday was a special day in our family as we celebrate the birthday of our aunt, Dede Quiñones-Edlich, my father's younger sister.

A very happy birthday to you!

A belated happy 16th anniversary greeting goes to the Tao Brotherhood and Sisterhood, which was organized on August 23, 1989 at UP College Cebu.

I again missed your party brothers and sisters!