22/08/2005
NEWS STORY
Michael Schumacher had planned to return home after the race in Turkey as he missed his wife, Corinna, and their children.
To reflect that it had been a disappointing weekend would be an understatement: "It's sad but true, at no time over the weekend were we competitive, not in qualifying, during the race nor even during free practice. Unfortunately, we could not continue the form we had shown at Hockenheim or Budapest. We have, instead, taken a step back," declared the World Champion.
Consequently, it is understandable that attention is now focused on the Italian Grand Prix. Monza is Ferrari's home race and what was not needed was the handicap of having to qualify first.
"We obviously wanted to do all we could to improve our position," said the German. "It was down to the fine work of the team in substituting the parts damaged in the clash with Mark Webber. This is typical of the guys' skill. Thanks to them I was able to go back out, something that allowed us to run more laps than those drivers who had already retired.
"Overall, this was the best thing that happened all weekend," he continued. "I think that it is comprehensible that in a situation like that you try all you can. For us Monza is very important and even though we are not as good as we were in the past, we want to do the best we can for our fans. We owe it to them and to ourselves."
For this season, Ferrari will be testing intensively this week. Michael will be on track on Wednesday and Thursday.
Since the test programme has been modified from that of a week ago, Michael will be flying to Italy tomorrow (Tuesday) and will therefore not be able to take part in Thomas Haessler's farewell football match in Cologne. "It is a shame. I would have loved to have gone but, unfortunately, it won't be possible," said Michael. "It would have been enjoyable, a fantastic evening."
Referring to a rather ludicrous rumour in the German media, linking him with McLaren-Mercedes, Michael concluded: "I do not want even to comment on the rumour that I may be leaving Ferrari. Everyone knows that I am closely tied to this team."