Italian GP - Michael Schumacher: "Each title fight
has its own character"
The Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Media Motorhome has never
been as crowded as it was this afternoon in the Monza paddock.
The reason was that, despite making it clear that no announcements
about driver or other plans would be made until after Sunday's
Italian Grand Prix, the world's press seemed to expect Michael
Schumacher to make some sort of statement today.
But 15 years in the sport teaches you a few things about
how to deal with the press and Michael started his usual Thursday
briefing by making it clear that he would not divert from
the plan. "We have organised everything so that we can
just concentrate on this race. The main focus is to race and
drive with nothing else to cause any extra disturbance,"
said the seven time world champion, adding as a joke, "and
I think this situation is going to be more of a distraction
for you than for me! I am very much looking forward to this
grand prix, which like all these last four is crucial for
the championship." Schumacher had been happy with the
last week's test, but reckoned it would be a close contest
over this weekend. "We had three good days here at the
test, but we also saw that it is very close between the top
teams. Now it will be a case of seeing which of us can make
the best of the conditions as we find them this weekend, although
I don't think it will be very different to when we tested.
If we get it right, it will be a great opportunity for us."
When the teams tested here last week, it was their first chance
to drive on the track since several parts of it had been resurfaced.
"I don't know if this will be an advantage for us and
our Bridgestone tyres," commented Schumacher. "But
the surface is now smoother and offers more grip and it makes
Monza less of a compromise and more predictable to drive."
As for the overall race to the titles, Schumacher had this
to say: "It will be very close and I expect the decision
to go all the way to the last race of the season. In that
time, both ourselves and our closest rivals will continue
to improve our package so it will be a case of seeing who
does the best job." The Ferrari man has now been in so
many fights for world titles, including the seven he won and
others that escaped him, often at the final hurdle. He was
asked which ones he remembered most fondly. "The good
ones I think were mainly those when I was fighting with Hakkinen,
in 2000 of course, but also the ones before them with him
when I did not win. Each title fight has its own character,
so let us see how this one ends. Would I prefer a fight or
would I prefer to win easily? Well, fighting is beautiful
and winning is beautiful, but we do not live in an ideal world,"
was the German's final (and enigmatic) remark of the afternoon.
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