On Wednesday, January 20 2002 I flew to Barcelona, specifically to interview Michael Schumacher.
While this would be one among many for the reigning world champion, it was important to me because the in-depth conversation would form the central part of an extensive season preview in The Observer newspaper. Having been agreed and arranged by Luca Collajani, Ferrari's efficient press officer, there was absolutely no reason to doubt it would happen. Or, at least, not until I drove through the gates of Circuit de Cataluña just after 11.30 am.
It's disconcerting to be greeted with silence when the air should be alive with the shriek of high-revving racing engines -- and you don't immediately know why.