European Grand Prix
Nürburgring, 7th May 2006
Michael Schumacher: 1st 1:35.58.765 60 laps chassis 254
Felipe Massa: 3rd +4.447 60 laps chassis 250
Temperatures: air 20°C, track 30 °C
Second win of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, again
with Michael Schumacher. This is the Scuderia’s fifth
victory in the European Grand Prix, the 185thfrom 728 Grand
Prix starts. Michael Schumacher took his eighty sixth career
win, the fifth at the Nurburgring. A first ever podium for
Felipe Massa.
Jean Todt
: “A great result after a very close fight. The sixteen
points we got today are nomiracle, but come from a perfect
combination of many elements: two drivers of the calibre ofMichael
and Felipe, the team, the chassis, the engine, the high-performing
Bridgestone tyresand the fundamental support from Shell, in
terms of fuel and lubricants. This success,following on from
the win in Imola, is further encouragement to give our all,
already startingnext weekend in Barcelona, as we try and reach
the goals we set ourselves at the start of theseason. There
is still a very long way to go, but we intend doing all we
can to be in therunning right to the end of the Championship.”
Michael Schumacher:
“A great race, great strategy and a great performance
from the wholeteam. I am happy for all of them and I think
the result shows we are back, with car, engine,tyres and fuel
all working superbly. At the start, I was in Alonso’s
slipstream and I thought Iwas safe in second place as I could
not see anything in my mirrors, but then luckily, I realisedthat
Felipe was coming alongside me very quickly, but I managed
to stay ahead. Apart fromthat, my only moment was when I ran
a bit wide in turn 6, before the first pit stop. I pushed
toohard as I thought I could catch Fernando there. It’s
a very nice feeling winning my homegrand prix. Unfortunately
though, we have only made up two points on Fernando, but everypoint
counts. I am also pleased for Felipe, getting his first F1
podium today and now I amlooking forward to another good fight
in Barcelona.”
Felipe Massa:
“I am very happy. Today, I stood on the podium for the
first time and it was areally great feeling. I am also happy
that this coincided with a win for Michael, as it shows theteam
is really in the fight for the title. We have to give it our
all, race after race. I made a greatstart to such an extent
that I found myself alongside Michael, but as he had the inside
line atturn 1, he was able to stay ahead. The strategy worked
very well and the Bridgestone tyreperformance was fantastic.
Only in the final stages, when I had taken on a used set,
was Iunable to push to the maximum. I got close to Alonso,
but I had Kimi closing on me quickly.There were a few difficult
moments, but I managed to keep third place, while also trying
to getby Fernando. Now, I am tempted to keep my race suit
on: the champagne smells nice!”
Ross Brawn:
“We are very very happy. It was a challenging race,
although we knew we hadthe pace to win if we made the correct
decisions at some keys stages of the race. The teamand the
drivers did a perfect job. The Bridgestone tyres were very
strong throughout the raceand we got good performance from
the whole package. Shell has done a great job with all thefluids
in the car and that all came together and helped our performance
today. It’s clear weare going to face a tough challenge
for the rest of the season, but this is a great way to startit.”
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