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Grand Prix 26th-29th August 2004 - Ferrari Sunday Press Release |
Length:
6.973km
Number of Laps: 44
(306.812 Km)
Best Lap: M. Schumacher
- 1'47"176 (2002, Ferrari)
Record Pole: M. Schumacher
- 1'43"726 (2002, Ferrari)
2002 Pole: M. Schumacher
(1'43"726)
2002 Podium: M. Schumacher - R. Barrichello
- JP. Montoya
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Jean
Todt:
'It was an incredible and action packed race, with the safety
car on track no less than three times following accidents. In the
end, we took second place with Michael and third with Rubens. This
result means that Michael takes a fifth consecutive Drivers’
title with Ferrari, the seventh of his career, while Rubens consolidates
his second place in the classification. Once again, the race highlighted
that the Bridgestone tyres are very reliable. I am also pleased that
Massa and Fisichella finished fourth and fifth which is a cause for
satisfaction for my friend Peter Sauber and means that four of our
engines finished in the top five. Obviously, we have got used to the
taste of victory this season, but I have to say that today’s
fourteen points are particularly satisfying and significant. In Budapest
we won the Constructors’ title and here, Michael has clinched
the Drivers.’ This team is writing a unique chapter in the history
of Ferrari and for that, I want to thank president Montezemolo, our
drivers, our shareholders and our partners, without whose support
and efforts we would not have been able to achieve what we have done.'
Michael
Schumacher:
'Every title has felt different and has given me different
emotions. This one is very special, coming here in Spa which means
so much to me and to do it for the seventh time at Ferrari’s
seven hundredth grand prix is also something special. I am very
proud to have done it with such an exceptional team, who have done
an amazing job – look at the way they got Rubens back on track.
In fact Rubens drove a great race today. This is what makes our
team so strong. Of course, I would have preferred to have taken
the title with a win, but it was not possible. The better man won
today, but I am quite happy with what I have achieved. All three
of us on the podium today have reason to celebrate. On the track
I struggled to get my tyres up to the right temperature and pressure
when we were behind the Safety Car, but it was not a surprise for
us, especially as it was quite cool today.'
Rubens
Barrichello:
'At the moment, it is hard for me to think straight, finishing
third after what happened at the start. It is a magic feeling. The
team were speaking to me as though we were chatting in a living
room, telling me to keep calm and explaining what they were doing.
If I was unlucky with the accident, I was lucky with the Safety
Car. I was not sure what happened, but I felt the car weaving from
side to side and it turned out I had a puncture and also a damaged
wing and the team made the right decision to change the tyre and
then to bring me in again for the wing. After the restarts I found
it hard to follow other cars. The team did a superb job and I kept
pushing hard all the time. My car was actually very good apart from
the small problem with warming up the tyres.'
Ross
Brawn:
'It was a busy race with not a moment’s peace on
the pit wall. I think Michael drove a very cautious race, trying
not to take any unnecessary risks. He knew that he had to finish
ahead of Rubens and so he did. Furthermore, the three safety car
periods did not help us, because at the restarts, our tyres did
not get up to temperature immediately. Rubens drove a really great
race: finishing on the podium after what happened at the start and
his two consecutive pit stops is fantastic. McLaren were very strong
today, but it would have been interesting to see what would have
happened in a straight fight without the safety cars. In any case,
we cannot be unhappy with a second and third place. I am very proud
of this team. What it has won over the past six years represents
something incredible.'
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