(Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
The rumours of Mclaren driver Kimi Raikkonen switching to Ferrari for 2007 were rife throughout the F1 paddock. However, along side those rumours, were even stronger one's about Kimi rufuseing to join Ferrari if Michael Schumacher was still firmly in his seat in the number one Ferrari.
The usual setting of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September was the event that cleared the rumours, seperating fact from fiction.
As Schumacher crossed the line at the historic circuit, a press statement was released announcing Schumacher's retirement from F1. It was a very emotional scene on the podium as Schumacher celebrated the penultimate win of his career.
Within hours after the Grand Prix had finshed, Ferrari released another statement saying that they had secured the services of Kimi Raikkonen on a three year deal (at a reported cost of $51m, making him the second highest paid sportsman in the world).
It had been a long and exhausting battle with Renault driver Fernando Alonso, the current World Campion at the time, and Michael's championship hopes were over as his engine blew at Suzuka, Japan. Alonso had to drive past Schumacher's stricken Ferrari, effectively taking the drivers crown with him.
Alonso was crowned Champion at Brazil, but it was Schumacher that was celebrated.
His last race in F1 was marked by a ceremony at the start where a trophy was given to Michael by football legend Pele. Noticable by his absence during this ceremony was one Kimi Raikkonen, who famously said he was "having a sh*t" when asked why he didnt attend.
On October 26th, Ferrari released a statement saying that Ross Brawn, the team's Technical Director and mastermind behind Schumacher's championship's, was taking a years sabaticle. Ross had interests in setting up a scuba diving resort in Thailand.
A lot of people compared his sabaticle with Mikka Hakkinen's sabaticle, during which he decided not to come back.
The Tifosi were uneasy about losing several members of a proven race winning team.
Among the leavers were Rory Byrne, the chief designer for Ferrari's F1 program, and Paolo Matinelli, head of Ferrari's Engine dept. Jean Todt, the team principle, had also been promoted to General Manager of Ferrari, though he would still play a part in the F1 team, gradually weaning himself away from F1.
Aldo Costa was promoted up to chief designer, taking up Byrne's previous role.
Stefano Domenicali was promoted from team manager to team principle.
The world's media created a storm over the apparent destruction triggered by Schumacher's decision to leave. Would Ferrari be as strong without Michael? How would they function without Ross Brawn? Would Ferrari's design team slip under the newly appointed and less experienced Aldo Costa?
In late October 2006. Ferrari confirmed that Schumacher would continue as a consultant to the team, and act as Ferrari's ambassador to the sport.
2007 would be an interesting season, a test to see how this new team would perform.
With the launch of the F2007 came the first glimpse of the new driver line up.
Kimi Raikkonen and Brazillian Felipe Massa posed for photo's with Costa's first creation.
The first race in Australia was a massive boost for the Scuderia, with Kimi taking his first win for Ferrari at the first race of the season.
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