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Grand Prix 25th - 28th September - Ferrari Sunday 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:
This was an incredibly intense race! The changing weather
meant it was very easy to make mistakes. Michael performed perfectly
and has taken a good step forward towards a sixth world title, while
the Scuderia is back in the lead in the Constructors' classification.
Rubens was slowed at the start with an electrical problem in the gearbox
and then ended up off the track after being hit by Montoya. That left
just Michael to defend our colours. Thanks to the Bridgestone tyres,
his bravura and the work of the whole team, he managed to take a great
win. We are very happy and could not be anything but, because, for
us, working for Ferrari is something special and work with passion.
This victory is the best reward for all the efforts made day in and
day out. We are very happy for Bridgestone, who must take much of
the credit for this result. I am also very happy for Sauber, who thanks
to today's performance, move from ninth to fifth place in the Constructors'
Championship. I know how seriously Peter Sauber and his group go about
their work, so I can imagine how important is this result for them.
We still have two weeks of hard work ahead of us and this win does
not change our programme. We must prepare as well as possible for
Suzuka, where we will do our utmost to reach the goals we set ourselves
at the start of the season.
Michael
Schumacher:
This was a great and important win. I am so pleased and
it was an emotional and fantastic day, after not such a good qualifying.
It means a lot at a crucial stage in the championship and the tifosi
have carried us to this position. Tyres played a crucial role today.
At the first stop, we had decided to stay with dry tyres, but the
rain got stronger as I came into pit lane and I did suggest changing
the choice. But it would have been too much of a mess. So I came
straight back in again for wets and they were unbelievable in these
conditions. As the two other title contenders had also fitted dries,
I knew I could close the gap to them because our tyres were good.
Before the race, I did think I could get into the top three and
I made a very good start and managed to make up some places and
get into the fight. There was a lot of pressure but we got the right
result. Bridgestone has been criticised this year, so this result
will be a good boost for them. As for my move on Panis, I was aware
of the yellow flags but I passed him well before them and then backed
off early to be safe. Now we are in a good position for the last
race, but of course we to finish first, first you have to finish.
But we have a reliable car and I will be looking for another win.
Rubens
Barrichello:
I did not have a good start as I encountered problems selecting
second gear as the automatic upshift was not working and I had to
select the gears manually. I lost time and people overtook me as
I dealt with the problem. With Montoya, we were running side by
side. I thought I had left him enough space, but he touched me and
I spun. But on the positive side, this was a great day for the whole
team which is now ahead in both championships. I am a little bit
disappointed about today, but as I am part of the team I can share
the delight at Michael's win.
Ross
Brawn:
In the end, it was a fantastic race in which Michael demonstrated
his qualities in difficult circumstances. We put him on the wrong
tyres at his first pit stop as we were expecting only light rain
at that time. The tyres worked very well, except when the track
was very greasy and only a bit wet. For the rest of the time, the
Bridgestones were the best tyres today. But Michael was really the
key to this victory. Now, we go to the last race needing to score
one point in the Drivers' Championship and do all we can to also
take the Constructors' title. But it is going to be a tough couple
of weeks, during which we will work hard and we cannot take anything
for granted.
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