Michael Schumacher stayed behind long after the end of Sunday’s European GP at the Nuerburgring. There was good reason to party: his brother, Ralf, had earlier closed out a race he had dominated and then, after midnight, was able to celebrate his twenty-eighth birthday. Michael, with the four points earned in the race, extended his overall championship lead. He also took his Formula 1 career tally past 1000 (1003), a unique achievement. ‘Celebrations here at Nuerburgring are always special because our family and friends can join in’, noted Michael. ‘This time it’s even better because it is also Ralf’s birthday: happy birthday, junior!’

Monday is a day to relax for the German champion; a day spent recharging the batteries before Sunday’s French Grand Prix. A champion, though, never really switches off completely and Schumacher, last night, thanked the four marshals who had helped him back into the race after he had got stuck in the gravel. Michael considered the light collision with the BMW-Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya that led him to spin off a ‘normal race incident, something that happens and is nobody’s fault.’ Coming fifth and gaining four points after an incident like that is pleasing for Michael: ‘Given the circumstances, I can be more than satisfied. It could have been much worse. I think in any case that I could not have hoped for more than third place because Montoya would have overtaken me sooner or later; so really I lost only two points. The seven-point gap in the championship is a good platform seeing as, under the new points system, it is more difficult to catch up. We experimented on our set up until a few races ago and so this can be considered a good start to the second half of the season. Everyone in the team and our partners too, are very motivated and want to defend the lead we have. We will work extremely hard until the end of the championship.’

Magny Cours, scene of the next episode in the season, is widely viewed as the stage for the competition tyre producers. Michael, though, doesn’t think that this is so important: ‘Last year Magny Cours was considered the home of Michelin, but it was at the French GP that I clinched the world title, thanks to Bridgestone. I am convinced that we can challenge for victory in France.’

Before pulling on his F2003-GA race footwear in France, Michael will once more be seen in football boots. On Wednesday he will take part in a Unicef Allstar benefit match in Porto. Also there will be Luis Figo (with his foundation, the co-organisers) Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Rui Costa, Edgar Davids, Francesco Toldo and many other famous names. Michael will appear for both teams – the Unicef Allstars and the Luis Figo Foundation. The game kicks off at 2030 at the Bessa stadium. ‘I can’t wait. Football for me is a great passion and to be able to line up alongside players of this calibre is great. It really is amazing what these guys can do with a ball and I hope to be able to pick up some new tricks!’