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Grand Prix 25th - 28th September - Ferrari Saturday Press Release |
Length:
4.192 km
Number of Laps: 73
(306.016 Km)
Best Lap: R. Barrichello
- 1'12''738 (2002, Ferrari)
Record Pole: M. Schumacher
- 1'10''790 (2002, Ferrari)
2002 Pole: M. Schumacher
- 1'10''790 (Ferrari)
2002 Podium: R. Barrichello
- M. Schumacher - D. Coulthard
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Jean
Todt:
We expected a very close fought qualifying and that is what
we got, given that the top ten are all within the same second. Rubens
did a great lap, rewarded with a place on the first row. Unfortunately,
Michael is only in seventh place. Now we have to work out the reasons
for this performance. It is clear that, especially in Michael's case,
we had hoped for a better result. Tomorrow, we can expect another
close fight. Several factors will play their role, including the weather.
One thing is certain; we will do our utmost right to the end to try
and obtain the best possible result.
Rubens
Barrichello:
I was hoping for pole position as the car has been good
all weekend. My flying lap was a good one, even though the car felt
a bit different to the way it did in the warm-up and was loose all
the way round. It was quite windy this afternoon, which I am sure
affected everyone, so I had to gamble a bit on the car's set-up
in the hope that it will be good for tomorrow. So, I did not have
the quickest car in terms of its performance this afternoon. I am
sorry I am not in the race for the title where the battle is still
very much alive. The crowd here is fantastic, just like in Brazil
and Monza and hopefully they will see a good clean race. Personally,
I love a challenge and I will be trying to win tomorrow.
Michael
Schumacher:
This was a very average qualifying session for me today
and naturally, I am not at all satisfied with the way it went. I
am not clear what was going on, but the car was sliding too much
and I could not find any grip. At least seventh place is on the
clean side of the track which is better than being on the dirty
inside line and I will be interested to see what strategy the others
have adopted for the race. In terms of the championship, my closest
rival is only three places ahead of me, so this is not a disaster
and so, with Kimi on pole the title race is a bit more open now.
The important thing is to understand what went wrong this afternoon.
Now we will just have to wait and see what I can do from that position
on a track where overtaking is possible. I hope that, by the end
of the race, I can give the tifosi something to cheer about.
Ross
Brawn:
We saw how much the battle for the title can influence
performance in qualifying. Certainly, Michael and Montoya cannot
afford to take risks which might then compromise their race, so
it is natural that they adopted a slightly cautious approach. Michael
was not totally happy with the balance of his car. The wind caused
some problems as did the fact that he lost a good part of this morning's
free practice with the fuel pressure problem. It is important that
Rubens is on the front row, because we also want to win the Constructors'
title and having him there puts him in a good position for the race.
I think the situation will be different in tomorrow's race. Our
tyres seem good and we would not be displeased if it was to rain
tomorrow.
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