It seems at the moment the whole media circus that follows Formula One has its sights trained solely on the McLaren team. Given the events of the past few months it's not without good reason. But there is another team who are having what could kindly be called an intriguing year, and they are Ferrari.
The one-two finish last time out for the Prancing Horse seemed to hardly be noticed by photographers keener to get a picture of Lewis Hamilton's flailing tyre. Yet it proves that despite a disruptive year where they have trailed McLaren, you can't write off Ferrari. The stark fact is that the Italian team haven't had a world championship to cheer since 2004. The changes to personnel at the end of last season haven't helped much, and it's a tribute to the strength in depth that Ferrari are still within touching distance of McLaren.
Of course, the most high-profile change was the retirement of Michael Schumacher. Losing a man that has transformed Ferrari and won so many championships for them would always be a big deal. It's changed the nature of the team a great deal too. No longer the dominant number one driver with a subservient guy in the other car. Now there are two drivers who are just a point apart in the driver's standings. Whether this is the most comfortable way for Ferrari to operate seems open to question, but Jean Todt stated recently that there would be no favouritism.
Kimi Raikkonen is so far removed from Schumacher in terms of character that many questioned how he'd fit in. Whereas Schumacher would spend hours around the paddock and often take data home for a spot of night-time reading, Kimi is more likely to step out of the car and into some socialising. That's fine as long as he's fast, but in the long term you have to question whether it will galvanise the team in the way his German predecessor did.
You sense that Felipe Massa still can't believe that he's at Ferrari post-Schumacher, winning races and with an outside shout at the world championship. He's watched his former teammate at close quarters and obviously learnt. Judging from the pictures after the Turkish Grand Prix, he's got the team, and most importantly his pit crew on board. He is adept at making the most of situations.
Schumacher is still seen around the Ferrari pit wall on race weekends, still employed by Ferrari, although his exact role seems nebulous. As former driver Martin Brundle points out, as soon as you are out of the car, the pace of development means your input becomes less and less relevant - even from a seven-time champion.