Seeing red is fantastic - Schumi - 13th September 19:25pm GMT

There are days that seem to come straight from the movies: action, tension and a happy ending. Yesterday at Monza, the Italian Grand Prix was one of those occasions. ‘It was a day from which I could not have asked any more’, declared Michael thinking back to the race. ‘If it had been planned people would have said that it was impossible’, smiled Michael. ‘It is enough to think that after six laps both Rubens and I were well down the field! At that stage, even with all the will in the world, I would never have said that the race would have finished in a one-two’.

The Monza race was the icing on the cake. It ended up being a red party for all the Ferrari fans! ‘The best part of it all is the one-two. We managed to do what we really wanted to. In this brilliant year we wanted to give our fans another reason to celebrate in the home race. We wanted to thank them for all their support this year and for their enthusiasm that has always inspired us. It really was like being in a film, above all because, after a difficult race, a happy ending was even better’.

Once again I can only say that being on the podium at Monza and seeing the sea of red below is simply fantastic. At least once in a lifetime everyone should have the chance to experience an atmosphere like that; I will never forget it’.

And so, in very good spirits, Michael returned to his home in Switzerland accompanied by his wife, Corinna. There they will spend the next few days in peace and tranquillity before preparing for the next challenge; at Ferrari nothing ever stops and the Scuderia will be testing this week at Mugello and Jerez. The German champion will be behind the wheel on Thursday and Friday in Jerez and so will not be able to take part in the charity football match to be played in Rome as previously planned.