Monaco Grand Prix - Monte Carlo
Michael Schumacher: 5th + 53.830 78 laps chassis 254
Felipe Massa: 9th + 1 laps 77 laps chassis 250
Temperatures: air 23/24°C, track 39/41 °C
Jean Todt: "Obviously we are very disappointed.
Fifth place for Michael and ninth for Felipe are definitely
not up to the ability level of our package: a very competitive
car, running on really strong Bridgestone tyres. However,
the four points Michael has brought home are important. He
fought from start to finish, putting on a good performance.
Felipe was always in traffic, held up by slower cars and he
just missed out on points. Even though today we have lost
precious ground in the fight for both championships, our motivation
is still very high and we will give our all to tackle the
remaining eleven rounds as well as possible."
Michael Schumacher: "I am happy to
have got up to fifth in the end, even though I started from
pit lane. But I am still disappointed about what happened
yesterday, especially in the light of today's performance.
I was amazed at how tough the Stewards' decision was. I can
understand that, from the outside, things might seem a bit
strange, but if you don't have all the information you cannot
give an appropriate judgement. The facts have to be examined
in an open manner. I am sorry that Fernando's lap was ruined
and it was definitely not my intention to do that. At the
time, I did not know where his car was because I had been
told nothing over the radio. I have been in Formula 1 for
sixteen years and I have got used to living with this sort
of situation. We are only in the seventh round of the championship
and there is still everything to play for. Everyone could
see today that I am not the sort to give up."
Felipe Massa: "A race and in fact a
weekend to forget as soon as possible. We could have brought
home well deserved points but I only managed to get within
one place of them. At the start, I managed to get ahead of
the Super Aguris but then I was slowed by the collision between
the two Midland cars and that pushed me back. In the first
stint, I lost so much time behind cars that were definitely
slower. Then, I was always in traffic, only managing to push
to the maximum for a handful of laps after the pit stop. The
car was very good, as were the Bridgestone tyres. I want to
say well done to Michael. He drove a great race, showing that
he gets his results on the track and not by other means as
was unjustly said yesterday. Now we want to turn the page
and concentrate on the coming races, where I am sure we will
be strong."
Ross Brawn: "The cars went very well
for the whole race, as could be seen from the fact we set
the fastest race lap with Michael. The Bridgestones were excellent,
both in terms of performance and consistency. At half distance
we changed strategy, stopping early to get out of traffic
and that meant we managed to pass a few cars. Then we were
very unlucky with the safety car that came out at the wrong
time for us and we actually lost a lap to the cars in front.
Michael did a good job to unlap himself and to chase those
ahead of him in the final stages, but by then it was too late.
Clearly, it's frustrating not to have got the result we could
have done. But this disappointment only makes us more determined
for the rest of the season. We have the team, the drivers,
the cars and the tyres. We will do our utmost to close the
gap on our rivals over the next eleven races."
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