Italian Grand Prix – Monza,
Michael Schumacher: 1st 1:14.51.975 53 laps chassis 255
Felipe Massa: 9th +45.955 53 laps chassis 252
Temperatures: air 27 °C, track 41 °C
Seventh win of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro,
the sixth courtesy of Michael Schumacher. This is win number
190 from 738 races entered by Ferrari, the seventeenth in
the Italian Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher recorded his ninetieth
victory from 247 Grand Prix starts and his fifth at this track.
Jean Todt: “I don’t know if
I should start by talking about my feelings after this fantastic
victory or about those that stem from the announcement of
Michael’s retirement. Of course, I had known for a while
that this was his decision, but the news breaking alongside
this great win makes today special. It is very gratifying
to win here, in front of our Ferrari colleagues who packed
out the grandstand at the Parabolica and in front of all our
fans. The car, the Bridgestone tyres and the team were all
great. This result sees us move into the lead in the Constructors’
classification and it also considerably reduces the gap between
Michael and the leader of the Drivers.’ I am sorry for
Felipe: an unplanned stop prevented him from bringing home
a good result in a race where he never really managed to get
the most out of the car because of traffic. It’s a shame,
because all weekend he had been very competitive. Now both
championships will be decided over the three races. We are
up against very strong opposition but we are very determined
and motivated to win both titles. We must remain concentrated
and united to make Ferrari even better and to bring to a close
in the best possible way this magnificent chapter in our history,
which began eleven years ago when Michael arrived.”
Michael Schumacher: “A marvellous
win in front of our fans. Being on the podium alongside Jean
was an indescribable feeling. From up there, we could see
a sea of fans and you could feel the love they have for Ferrari.
Super! If I had had to talk about my decision at that moment,
I would not have managed to get the words out of my mouth….The
race was relatively straightforward. We were hoping that Kimi
would pit before us and he did. Everything went according
to plan with no particular worries. The most emotional moment
was the final lap. After the chequered flag I came on the
radio and told all my friends in the team what I was about
to announce and it was really difficult to keep my emotions
under control. This win is very important in terms of both
titles. We have taken the lead in the Constructors’
and as for the Drivers,’ we are no longer dependent
on our rivals’ performance.
Felipe Massa: “To lead the Constructors’
championship is fantastic. I am very happy for the whole team
and also for Michael, who deserved this win and it’s
great that he took this victory on a day that is so special
for him. Michael is an amazing guy and I am honoured to have
had the opportunity to race alongside him. He is an example
to us all. Now we must try and reach the targets that we want
so much. Right from yesterday’s qualifying it was clear
this was not going to be my weekend. Today, I was always in
traffic, never able to use all the car’s potential on
a track which, while very quick is definitely not easy to
overtake on. Then, when it seemed like I could bring home
a good fourth place, I flat-spotted my right front tyre when
I had to brake on the oil from Alonso’s Renault. It
was too bad to continue and so I was forced to pit to change
tyres, losing any chance of a points finish. Now there are
three races to go, in which we will do all we can. I can tackle
them with the added motivation of helping Michael and the
team win both championships. As for me, I am proud to have
the opportunity to be racing with this great team for the
next two years.”
Ross Brawn: “Winning the Italian Grand
Prix on the day Michael announces his retirement is the best
possible way for this news to be delivered. He drove brilliantly
and was always in control of the situation. The car went well,
helped by fantastic Bridgestone tyres, not forgetting the
valuable support from Shell. We knew that our tyres, while
possibly giving a little away in qualifying, would be superb
in the race. This win is the result of the great work carried
out over the past few months by our partners and our test
team. It’s a shame for Felipe, who never really had
the chance to push as hard as he could, being nearly always
stuck in traffic. Now there are three races to go which we
will tackle giving our all. We have many new parts coming,
including a new aerodynamic package that we will test over
the next two weeks. I am confident about this final part of
the championship and we will fight right to the end to try
and win both titles ”
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