The first days of the new year signal the end of the holiday period for the seven time world champion, Michael Schumacher. The German driver will return to Italy next week. Before getting behind the wheel though, he will be heading to the slopes of Madonna di Campiglio for Wroom, the event that traditionally marks the start of each new Ferrari season.
When will you get back in the car again?
Michael Schumacher: We've been here in Norway since the middle of December and will fly back to Switzerland well rested around this weekend. Ferrari's traditional event that marks the start of the new season is taking place next week at Madonna di Campiglio and the week after that I suppose I'll finally take a Formula One car for a spin around the track again.
Ferrari will not start the season with a new car, but will go into the first races with 2004's model. A disadvantage?
MS: I don't think so. We've been doing that before and it's never proven to be a disadvantage. We have such a good car with the F2004, it's the championship winning car after all. On the contrary, considering all the new rules, I think it's good that we can fall back on something that's proven to be so reliable.
Could the new rules turn out to be a problem for Ferrari? After all, the team was the most dominant one last year. But now the cards are being shuffled again…
MS: Yes, but everyone will have to get accustomed to the new conditions. I think that an experienced, well functioning and successful team like ours will be able to adjust to the new circumstances better. We're all set to fight for the title again this year - and we can hardly wait to start.
Looking back, how would you describe last season?
MS: It was definitely a fabulous season, not just because we were so successful, but also because of the atmosphere within our team, which is incredibly good. But describing everything that happened last season is not easy for me. Maybe that’s because I’m someone who generally always tends to look ahead. I’m basically focussing on the next season and not thinking about having won the World Championship anymore.
Nevertheless you surely have lots of good memories...
MS: Of course, and I’m glad I do. Budapest was great, because we won the constructor’s title there. Looking back, Spa was great also, because after all I won the title there. Just after the race I had mixed feelings, because I had become World Champion without actually winning the race. I’m over that now. Monza was beautiful too, a one-two win in front of the tifosi – and it wasn’t looking to be happening at first. The podium there leaves you breathless, because it feels like you’re standing in the middle of the crowd.
But those weren’t all your fond memories?
MS: No, luckily enough, there were quite a few special moments this year. Another one was the podium in Japan. Standing up there with Ralf is always very special, but this time it was even more so. He drove a great race and I was really happy for him for having a come-back like that.
... which takes us to the less pleasant moments of last year...
MS: Ralf’s accident in Indianapolis was quite a shock for me, that’s true. But as I’ve said often: because I was supplied with all information straight away, I was able to carry on driving. And today the accident is history. The most important thing was that Ralf suffered no permanent injuries. Another dark moment for us as a team was Umberto Agnelli’s death.
How the team feels is very important to you, right?
MS: Yes, absolutely. I’m a part of it after all, no more and no less. And I can only repeat time and time again: Formula One is a team’s sport. You don’t stand a chance without a good team. It’s about everyone working together, not a one-man show. The people at Maranello give us a solid foundation to work with when we’re at the race track. And each and every one of them puts so much passion and effort into their work, that’s truly unique – it’s not a coincidence that we went for more than fifty races this year without having to retire due to technical failure. It shows how much effort is made and it shows Ferrari’s heart. The victories and titles belong to every single one of them.
Next year will be your 15th Formula One season. You have just turned 36. Are you not starting to feel worn out?
MS: Let’s put it like this: of course I have the odd small ache or pain every now and then, but they are only small ones. All in all I feel very, very fit and to be perfectly honest: much younger than 36. I play soccer with my colleagues quite often, with people like Fernando Alonso, who is ten years younger than I am, and I don’t see much of a difference. No, I am not getting worn out, and especially not psychologically. I still enjoy what I do immensely.
You have achieved so much, but that sounds as if you’re going to go for it again in 2005.
MS: You bet! I’m starting off the new season just like all the others before: with a hunger, fully motivated and looking forward to the fights that lay ahead. Like I said, I have fun, I love my sport and I love being challenged. The things I’ve achieved so far have nothing to do with it. That doesn’t count in sports anyway. In sports, you can’t rest on your past victories, you have to take on the challenge again and again. It’s always all about the next race.
