Italy unites in celebration

Ferrari fans celebrate in Maranello

It was raining in Maranello, the home of Ferrari, as the northern Italian industrial town prepared what it hoped would be a morning of celebrations. But they did not let that dampen their enthusiasm.

The residents of the town began their festivities even before Michael Schumacher crossed the line to win the Japanese Grand Prix and end a 21-year wait since the legendary team last won the Formula One drivers' world championship.

When victory was assured, fans hugged each other. Some wept with joy, in a celebration that united Italy, for which Ferrari, enshrined in the national conscience as much as football, is effectively a national team.

In Maranello, where the Ferrari factory is sited, the team is more like a religion. But for once the church bells that ring out to mark every victory were late.

Praying

Father Alberto Bernardoni, the Roman Catholic pastor, waited until after he had finished saying mass to ring the bells of his church.

"I know, the sound of the bells arrived a little late today but I was at the altar saying mass. We tried to pray well and certainly Michael tried to race well," he said.

When Bernardoni started saying the mass, Schumacher was behind the McLaren of two times world champion Mika Hakkinen of Finland.

But by the time Bernardoni had finished praying, the German had emerged from a pit stop and was out in front.

Ferrari's F1 car is produced in Maranello

"I am really happy. It is a great joy. I only saw the start of the race, when it wasn't going too well," said Bernardoni.

Maranello mayor Giancarlo Bertacchini said the town would throw a big party for the team in two weeks' time.

"Ferrari is a family affair here," Bertacchini said. "It has something to do with all our families. All our families are touched by Ferrari. This is a joy for everyone."

For Ferrari, the marque founded in 1929 by the late, legendary Enzo Ferrari, there was as much relief as celebration.

The company has spent well over £1 billion since Jody Scheckter last won the drivers' title in 1979.

Beautiful

Ferrari president Luca Montezemolo, who watched the race at his home near Bologna, joined the celebrations at Maranello some time later.

"It is the most beautiful day of my life, or at least my professional life, because there is also family life," said Montezemolo, who was put in charge of Ferrari by Fiat chief Gianni Agnelli in 1991 in an attempt to return the glory days to the team.

"Today the driver, the car, the team made the difference. Ferrari's win is a victory for Italian technology, the victory of a business."

Montezemolo revealed he had telephoned Schumacher shortly after the race, saying: "I listened to Schumi and then I only said: 'I thank you; I am doing it now because in an hour's time I will be drunk and will not be in full possession of my faculties.'"

Michael Schumacher hugs his wife Corinna in celebration

Throughout Italy people shared his joy.

Towns in the industrial north joined remote southern islands in celebrating Schumacher's triumph.

In towns and cities throughout the country, fans took to the streets with red Ferrari flags emblazoned with the famous prancing horse and sounded horns.

In Naples, the owner of a red Ferrari Testarossa lead a noisy parade of less expensive cars along the waterfront.

In Rome, some 40 Ferrari owners took their polished cars through the streets of the capital and President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi spoke for many when he said: "After 21 years, finally."

It is the most beautiful day of my life, or at least my professional life, because there is also family life

  Luca Montezemolo
Ferrari president

But the epicentre of the national party was at Maranello, where Enzo Ferrari died in 1988.

Many Maranello residents stayed up all night in town squares despite the rain and later watched the race on big screens.

While residents were painting the town red, some Ferrari fans in Maranello put on a display of black humour aimed at their beaten rivals, McLaren-Mercedes.

They carried a wooden coffin with the word 'Mercedes' to the parish church and then on to the Ferrari factory.

A funeral notice that followed the coffin read: "As of October 8, McLaren departed from the affection of its loved ones."

Amazing

With the festivities continuing into Sunday afternoon, roads leading into Maranello became clogged as people from other areas tried to join the party.

Local officials estimated that 20,000 people had crammed into the tiny town to sample the party atmosphere with surrounding roads blocked as more people attempted to join the celebration.

In Japan, Schumacher joined in the spirit, partying with F1 personnel at the Suzuka circuit's Log Cabin karaoke bar. "Imagine what is going on right now in Italy - that must be simply amazing," he said.