Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka, 8th October 2006
Felipe Massa: 2nd + 16.151 53 laps chassis 256
Michael Schumacher : R lap 37 36 laps chassis 255
Temperatures: air 24/23 °C, track 31/32 °C
Jean Todt: “A feeling of huge disappointment
today. We had within our grasp the possibility of turning
up in Brazil with everything lined up to win both championships,
having had Michael leading and Felipe third for around half
the race. However, the situation was completely turned on
its head and compromised our position. We are well aware that
the basis of all success in Formula 1 is reliability and today
we were lacking in that respect and hence we have paid a very
high price. The drivers and the team did a very good job,
as did Bridgestone. We must congratulate our closest rivals
who have now staked a claim on both Championships. There is
one race to go which will carry a special symbolism as it
will be Michael’s last one. As we have done for years
now, we will put all our heart and soul into getting the best
possible result. Today, however, we have a really bitter taste
in our mouths.”
Felipe Massa: “What happened to Michael
when he was leading is a great shame. I also had a problem
in the first stint, with a puncture in my right rear wheel,
which had led to a slow but gradual loss of air. As a precaution,
the team brought me in for my pit stop three laps earlier
than planned. I went out on track behind a slower car and
that cost me my chances of staying ahead of Alonso and, as
things turned out, of winning the race. We can still win the
Constructors’ title, even if we know it is very difficult.
For my home race in Brazil, I will give it my all to achieve
that.”
Michael Schumacher: “We are a great
team. Our guys are the best and I have a great affection for
everyone at Ferrari and am always more than satisfied in the
way we work. Incidents like today’s can happen and they
are part of racing. You win together but you also lose together.
Today we did our best, I was leading the race and then my
engine broke. That’s the simplest way to sum it up.
That is Formula 1. We can be proud of what we have achieved
since Canada: we were twenty five points behind and no one
could have thought we would be back in the fight for the championship,
but we did it. Now we are nine points behind in the Constructors’
classification and we will do all we can to win this title
in Brazil. As for the Drivers,’ it is lost. I don’t
want to head off for a race, hoping that my rival has to retire.
That is not the way in which I want to win the title.”
Ross Brawn: “We are disappointed,
very disappointed. It was a very hard race, but Michael was
controlling the situation until his engine problem from which
there was no escape. A puncture in the first part of the race
compromised Felipe’s chances of staying ahead of Alonso,
as we had to bring him in early as a precaution, thus altering
his strategy. The weekend had got off in the most promising
way but finished in bitter disappointment for us. It’s
true that our chances of final victory are very slim, but
there is still one race to go and we will do our utmost to
end this year in the best way possible.”
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