Ashes to Glory

I must admit. I have seen one of the most fascinating event made a group of human beings. Today is the first race of the Formula 1 2009 season. We all know Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motorsport. Everyone competing in F1 are either the fittest athletes, brainiest engineers and the smartest constructors. (though not smarter than me.)

Throughout the years there had been plenty of drama, especially for the pass 3 years. We have seen how friendship cum team mate of one team broken down to become one of the worst enemies of modern time in motorsports. We have seen the largest aftermath of an espionage involving two of the best F1 teams in the world. That resulted in McLaren handling 500million Euros to the FIA as punishment, which escalated the rivalry between Lewis and Fernando. We had seen, too how what seemed to be an achievable task yet fortune fools them away from it.

But nothing is as brilliant as today in the Australian Grand Prix 2009.

More than a month ago, Honda announced a shocking news that they’ve decided to leave Formula 1 thoroughly and no longer involve in F1. That leaves the England based team without an owner, without financial backing, without an engine supplier and had no chance to test their cars. Their situation had gone from bad to worse.

Not scoring any point during the 2008 season was already bad enough. Then came along Honda’s exit, the drivers were at the brink of announcing their early retirement. The English team of nearly 700 employees were about to loose their jobs. All these during the economic crisis. How worse could it get.

4 weeks ago, just before the deadline of team registration, they  official announced that they had a new owner. They are now called the Brawn GP. Ross Brawn, former constructor for Ferrari and Prost F1, is the new owner of the team.

A week later, they unveiled their new car, white with yellow stripes powered by a Mercedes engine. Despite the financial crunch and the lack of testing, they topped the time sheets during the first official test session organized by FIA. The same sheet-topping timings were obtained in the second test session a week later.

That was astonishing feat. Not long ago they were at the brink of  dismembering. Suddenly, they became the largest threat in the toughest motorsport league. There was light at the end of tunnel for them.

Saturday at about 4pm Australian time, the qualifying session was dominated by the Brawn GP cars. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello were placed 1st and 2nd of the grid. That alone had sent chills to the opponents and delight to its owner and new found sponsor, Virgin Group. Virgin Group has just signed the deal a night before the qualifying session.

Today, the race was expected to be intense. The two Brawn GP at the front are expected to seize this opportunity to carve out the first win for the team.

2 hours later, everyone at Brawn GP celebrated their first 1-2 victory in their lives. 4 weeks ago, all their plans had been put on hold due to the exit of their owner, Honda. The future seemed pitch black for  everyone in the team. It seemed as to be a hopeless future.

Today, it was a maiden victory. A classic story of a team that risen from the ashes. Of what seemed to be a bleak future, they carved themselves a future of fortune.

Ross Brawn had earned himself a reputation, a legend. He, the man who crafted the success of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari, came and performed his Midas’ touch, turning the ash into glory. A  dominating victory that even Ferrari and McLaren unable to challenge. A truly celebrated man he is now.

This event touched me a little. A series of unfortunate events had made them stronger and thanks to Ross Brawn, they have find their long lost fortune. I must say this is the best show on earth. Even reality shows such as American Idol, Big Brother and not even Amazing Race can match this symbolic event.

The true grit and faith made me think and realize that what I saw this afternoon is what is known as the human will power, the spirit of ‘never say die’.

Absolutely brilliant.