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Malaysian Grand Prix 18th-21st March 2004 - Sunday Ferrari Press Release

Length: 5.543 km
Number of Laps: 56 (310.408 Km)
Best Lap: M. Schumacher - 1'36''412 (2003, Ferrari)
Record Pole: R. Barrichello - 1'35''220 (2001, Ferrari)
2003 Pole: F. Alonso - 1'37''044 (Renault)
2003 Podium: K. Raikkonen - R. Barichello - F. Alonso

Jean Todt :
'It was an extraordinarily hard fought race from start to finish, with rain falling at the start making the situation even more tense. Michael did a good job of maintaining the lead, while Rubens lost a few precious places. I have to say Michael drove a perfect race from beginning to end. The team did an exceptional job and the strategy was spot on. It is very satisfying to see four Ferrari engines make it to the flag, three of them in the points. I must congratulate Sauber on their result as this season, it is no easy task finishing in the points. The F2004 confirmed it has great potential. The work done by Bridgestone in typically Japanese understated and methodical fashion is paying off. Thanks also to Shell, who supplied a high class product for our engines in very difficult climatic conditions. Today’s battle has confirmed that we must leave nothing to chance in order to be competitive. The championship will be very close. Today Ferrari showed that, even in diametrically opposite conditions to Melbourne, it is competitive and, for the time being at least, victorious.'

Michael Schumacher :
'It was a tough fight all the way to the end, but I was quick enough when I needed to be at the start and end of each stint. The gap to Montoya opened and closed throughout the race and it was pressure all the way. At the start, as I was first I had no reference as to where the water was. In fact Turns 4 and 11 were slippery. Even though it was not sunny it was a tough race. As for the championship, it is easier to lead rather than have to fight back like last year. But we have only done two races and we know how quickly the other teams can progress. I have to say that Bridgestone did a fantastic job here, after we struggled at this track in the past.'

Rubens Barrichello :
'I pushed hard all race long, doing as much as I could. I made a different tyre choice to my team-mate and it did not pay off. On top of that, in the opening laps, when it rained, my tyres quickly lost temperature and that’s why I lost a few places. Unfortunately, the two seconds that kept me away from Button in the fight for the podium were lost when I was overtaking Baumgartner. In any case, I’m satisfied with the car, which confirmed its potential. Of course, I would like to have won, but at least I brought home five points which will be important for the championship.'

Ross Brawn :
'It was a very hard race. Michael had chosen the soft tyres and Rubens the hard. We tried to modify Rubens’ strategy to make up the places he lost in the early stages, but it did not work out as we had hoped. It was a bit frustrating, because he got very close to Button at the end. I think this win, on a track where we have struggled in the past few years, is very important and much of the credit must go to Bridgestone. They did a really exceptional job given that we used to find conditions like today’s difficult to deal with. But we are still keeping our feet on the ground, because McLaren and Williams could always close the gap and we are ready for that. I think Michael has shown he is even stronger than in the past and I don’t know where that comes from.'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

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