Q: And just before he went off at turn one, Kimi was right behind you there after that first pit stop?
MS: Yeah, he was right behind and he was quick, no doubt. I think you have the general trend that between the tyre manufacturers, you have certain stages in the race where one is quicker than the other and then it’s the other way round later. So I wasn’t too worried as long as he was behind me and, as a strategy, it could have worked out. But it would have been a tough one, no doubt.

Q: There looked to be some pretty nifty pit work from the Ferrari crew on lap 47, on your third stop, just after Rubens had cleared the road there. Rubens had just come in and then you came in straight after him,
MS: OK, I didn’t know that. When I came in everything was clear and our guys were just superb. Even though they are under pressure they don’t crack and that’s what’s so fantastic about them.

Q: This is now your 50th straight race without a technical failure on the car, what does that say about the team?
MS: It’s just self explanat… it explains itself! And it is just fabulous, absolutely wonderful, it’s not only the reliability, the pit stops, just everything, it’s just spot on. We are able to achieve 100 percent most of the time and that is what makes this team so strong and us so difficult to beat.

PRESS CONFERENCE

Q: Michael, that seems to have been another faultless and flawless win. Were there any problems at all?
MS: Yeah, to the right and left of me! It has been a tough one, although maybe I was always in a safe situation in terms of distance but it was not foreseen what would have been possible to happen especially at the end when Jenson was stuck behind Fernando. I think before the last pit stop there was a while Jenson was behind him and at that stage it wasn’t sure whether he could get by and what sort of lap times he could have gone, because before his first pit stop I was behind him and he was going quite quick so at that stage. I was obviously a little concerned that I was pushing flat out and trying to make sure that I didn’t leave anything open and feel sorry later.

Q: Was he the one you were worried about most?
MS: Obviously Kimi in the beginning, he was a big threat, he was very quick, but then I don’t know what would have happened later, because he seemed initially to be quick and then I was able to pull out a gap to him in the first stint so I guess I should have pulled out a gap again in the other stints but who knows?

Q: Were the tyres consistent?
MS: Tyres were consistent, yep. They were good. We worked very well in Jerez last week for very hot temperatures and we just got tyres together spot on, especially for the race.

Q: The achievements you are enjoying with the team, obviously - Peter just mentioned 50 races since you last had a mechanical retirement – and these fantastic victories. What do they mean to you?
MS: I’m just extremely happy. There are no words for this feeling. If you see what happened yesterday, this morning I was out on the parade lap, all the emotions from our fans here, it was just fabulous. And then to win the race and to do it at home where I haven’t been that greatly successful over the years, it’s just unbelievable. Several numbers are coming together again this weekend which simply makes it extra special. I’m just feeling very great.

Q: Could you hear the reception they were giving you?
MS: Yeah. It’s difficult not to, even over the engine, you really feel it.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q (Livio Oricchio – O Estado de Sao Paulo) Michael, if you had lost the first position at the start would it have been too much difference for you?
MS: I think so.

Q: (Milan Sako – Augsburger Allgemeine) ) Michael, there are now three weeks off, what will you do in this time before Hungary?
MS: Take some vacation and just prepare myself for Hungary.

Q: (Adrian Hubert) Michael, do you think 17 victories are possible?
MS: I think it is impossible.