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Grand Prix 9th - 12th October - Sunday Ferrari Press Release |
Length:
5.807 km
Number of Laps: 53
(307.573 Km)
Best Lap: M. Schumacher
- 1'36''125 (2002, Ferrari)
Record Pole: M. Schumacher
- 1'31''317 (2002, Ferrari)
2002 Pole: M. Schumacher
- 1'31''317 (Ferrari)
2002 Podium: M. Schumacher
- R. Barrichello - K. Raikkonen
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Jean
Todt:
"It has been an historic day. Rubens put on a fantastic
performance, while Michael drove a defensive and cautious race to
bring home the point which would guarantee him the title. We have
won both championships, writing another page in the history book of
this sport. No team has ever won five consecutive Constructors’
titles and no driver has ever had his name at the top of the record
books six times. First and foremost, I want to thank Luca di Montezemolo
who has always given us his support. Thanks must also go to our shareholders
who have always believed in us, even in the really difficult times.
I think Gianni Agnelli would have been proud to see the car which
bears his name win seven of the twelve races in which it competed.
Then there are our technical partners - first and foremost Bridgestone,
Shell and AMD and the commercial ones, some of whom have been with
us for a long time, like Philip Morris and more recent ones such as
Vodafone and Olympus. I am proud to be in charge of this dream team;
which is united, determined and never gives up. Now we will enjoy
this success, which comes at the end of a very difficult season, up
against very strong opposition. I can assure you that we have not
lost our hunger for more victories in the future. Enzo Ferrari would
have been proud of what we have accomplished."
Rubens
Barrichello:
"I am so proud to have helped Ferrari win four of
their titles and to win this race on what is considered a driver’s
circuit is another reason to be proud. Along with Silverstone this
year, these are the two best races of my life. I want to thank everyone
at home in Brazil for staying up to watch and this victory pays
them back. All the team, the engineers and mechanics have done a
fantastic job to give us a car with such reliability and performance.
My race was very tough until the final stages when I could ease
up a bit. After the start, the track felt slippery and at Turn 12
going into Spoon, the car went sideways, I backed off and Montoya
got past. He was very quick, but then I began to catch him, but
I was having trouble with my visor fogging up, there was also oil
on it and I had to concentrate very hard. I kept pushing because
I was very worried it might rain, in which case I could have lost
everything in just one lap. You cannot compare drivers from different
generations, but what Michael has done today is a fantastic achievement.
I think I have had a much better year in terms of my performance,
compared to last year, when I had more points and was higher in
the championship."
Michael
Schumacher:
"I find it difficult to say what I am feeling at the
moment because, honestly, this has been a tough year, a tough last
part of the season and today was one of my toughest races. But I
can say what I feel about the team: they are more important and
again today did an incredible job and Rubens had a fantastic drive
winning in great style. After we had been written off earlier in
the year, we never gave up. The team is always fighting and that
is its strength. We are a big family and we can all be proud to
be part of it. Personally, I feel empty and exhausted after this
race. I went flat out after I lost my nose, because I knew Montoya
was out and the two McLarens were behind Rubens. I was a bit messy
after the accident and it was a strange race, cutting through the
traffic, especially with Da Matta and Ralf. I knew I had to finish
eighth, because although Rubens was in the lead, in Formula 1 you
always wonder if the car will finish and think of the worst situation.
After the incident with Da Matta, I had a huge flat spot on the
tyre and the vibration was so bad I had vision problems down the
straight. I was also worried about a puncture and was just trying
to get the car to the flag. It feels strange, as usually I have
won the championship with a victory, but now I am here in eighth
place, so there are some mixed emotions."
Ross
Brawn:
"This was a very tough race, especially with so much
at stake. Rubens did a fantastic job at the front, but we wanted
to get Michael in the points just to be sure. It was very exciting.
That early incident made life more difficult for us but we knew
we still had a chance. We had a recovery strategy which worked okay.
We did not catch Ralf at the second stop, as he took on less fuel
than we did, but we managed to get him at the third one. It was
very close and tough today. I think I am getting too old for all
this excitement! But you always know with Michael that you have
a chance. It was important to get that one point, because you never
know what can happen at the front. It was actually tougher to get
that point than it was to win the race. We were lucky to get away
with the incident at the chicane with Michael and Da Matta. I guess
Da Matta must have braked early as Michael almost hit him. This
is a dream come true. I am so proud to be part of Ferrari. All the
guys and girls have shown what kind of team they are. Our partner
Bridgestone also did a great job. Now we go and karaoke!"
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