Length: 5.451 km
Number of Laps: 56 (305.066 Km)
Best Lap: M. Schumacher - 1'32''238 (2004, Ferrari)
Record Pole: R. Barrichello - 1'34''012 (2004, Ferrari)
2005 Pole: F. Alonso - 1'34''080 (Renault)
2005 Podium: F. Alonso - K. Raikkonen - R. Schumacher

Q: But it’s difficult to know when the right time was to make your announcement, as you mentioned: is there ever a right time, will one ever know whether it’s the right time?
MS: Yes, who knows?

Q: What about this race here, it hasn’t been one of the luckier ones for you; two races and I think 14th has been the best result.
MS: I should be able to do better this year.

Q: What are you feelings about the circuit?
MS: I haven’t got strong feelings about the place, it’s not to do with bad luck or anything, it’s simply that I was unfortunate the first year, I had a puncture in the race and last year we were completely out with our tyres and I hope this year we have the package to compete, which, from the nature of what we have seen so far this year, there should be no reason why we shouldn’t be competitive.

Q: These two races are obviously crucial in the championship; how do you see the level between Renault and yourselves at this stage?
MS: Very close. It depends on the characteristics of the tyres and the track and being able to pinpoint one or the other direction but it will vary and we will have to see how it goes for the last three races.

Q: And do you think there could be a spoiler, such as Kimi, somebody coming in from outside the championship?
MS: Absolutely. If somebody improves to become competitive then we will have to see and take it as it comes.

QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR

Q: (Juha Päätalo – Financial Times Germany) Michael, there were hard words from Fernando in your direction. How did they affect you and how do you think they will affect the title battle now?
MS: I don’t think it will affect anything and I don’t think I have to react to anything.

Q: (Juha Päätalo – Financial Times Germany) In Monza, you said that you enjoyed the battle with Mika most, because it was pure racing. Are we now having a situation where it is not pure racing?
MS: No, I cannot say that, but with Mika I had been fighting for many years and with Fernando this is basically the first year that I do that.

Q: (Dan Knutson – National Speedsport News) For Michael, you and Ferrari have worked so closely for 10 years – how difficult will it be for Kimi to come and to adapt to the team?
MS: Honestly, I don’t think it will be difficult at all. Firstly, he is very talented and secondly Ferrari have taken Kimi on board because that is in their interests and they therefore want to be successful with him. They will do everything that is required for that. The other way around, I can only imagine it will be the same so the two have the same interests and it will be easy.

Q: (Sal Zanka – AP) Michael what advice would you give to Kimi as an incoming Ferrari driver?
MS: The one, as I have always been doing in a way - when we have had plenty of opportunities to talk privately.

Q: (Sal Zanka – AP) And Kimi what advice would you seek from Michael as an incoming Ferrari driver?
KR: As I said, it depends on many different things, but we will finish this year and then we will see what happens.

Q: (Jie Zhou – Oriental Sports Daily) A question for Michael – are you afraid that there are any superstitions here?
MS: No, as I mentioned before, I don’t think so. It is all up to how the car performs. We were not very good here last year and we were unlucky the year before. So we will probably be better this year anyway!

Q: (Jie Zhou – Oriental Sports Daily) Michael, we notice you go back to your hotel at 11 o’clock or 12 o’clock – do you always go to sleep so late? (laughter, Schumacher shrugs)
MS: Not really. Eleven or twelve, it is quite normal.

Q: Michael, what is your impression of Shanghai and for your Formula One fans who are sad that you are to retire at this time, what do you want to say to them?
MS: It is a very interesting city to come to with a lot of different things to see compared to what we see in Europe and I am very proud to have these fans and I am sad to be leaving in a way. They show that they like me to be around and that is nice to know, but one day it ends.

Q: They hope that you will be back. Will you come back?
MS: I don’t think it is a very sensible idea to have, to say that you stop and to think already when you come back.

Q: (Marco Evangelisti – Corriere Dello Sport) Kimi, I understand that you want to concentrate on McLaren, but may I have an opinion about your future team-mate Felipe Massa and if you think he can take advantage from his experience in the team next year?
KR: I think he is a nice guy and I know him a little bit and I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be working well together, so it will be good. Yes, for sure, it will be a little easier for him because he has been there testing and racing this year, but I have all the winter and plenty of time to get to know the people and get used to everything, so there is no reason why there should be any advantage for him.

Q: (Sal Zanka – AP) Michael, two weeks ago there was a meeting between Tiger Woods and Roger Federer and there were good comments about you – have you met either of them? And of the three, who is the best sportsman?
MS: I have not met them, unfortunately not. But I have heard a lot and I rate both of them. I am not sure you should put a ranking on either of them.

Q: (James Allen – ITV) Michael, I don’t know if you have seen Renault’s preview for this race at all, but (in it) Pat Symonds has said that, when it comes to the psychological battle, Fernando is better at soaking up the pressure than you are… Is it a bit painful for you to have someone like him say something like that?
MS: Not really. It is just natural that his point of view has to be this point of view rather than the other way around. It wouldn’t make sense.

Q: I would like to know this question for Michael – do you have any plans for after your retirement?
MS: No. Not yet.