28/05/2006
NEWS STORY
Jean Todt: "Obviously we are very disappointed. Fifth place for Michael and ninth for Felipe are definitely not up to the ability level of our package: a very competitive car, running on really strong Bridgestone tyres. However, the four points Michael has brought home are important. He fought from start to finish, putting on a good performance. Felipe was always in traffic, held up by slower cars and he just missed out on points. Even though today we have lost precious ground in the fight for both championships, our motivation is still very high and we will give our all to tackle the remaining eleven rounds as well as possible."
Michael Schumacher: "I am happy to have got up to fifth in the end, even though I started from pit lane. But I am still disappointed about what happened yesterday, especially in the light of today's performance. I was amazed at how tough the Stewards' decision was. I can understand that, from the outside, things might seem a bit strange, but if you don't have all the information you cannot give an appropriate judgement. The facts have to be examined in an open manner. I am sorry that Fernando's lap was ruined and it was definitely not my intention to do that. At the time, I did not know where his car was because I had been told nothing over the radio. I have been in Formula 1 for sixteen years and I have got used to living with this sort of situation. We are only in the seventh round of the championship and there is still everything to play for. Everyone could see today that I am not the sort to give up."
Felipe Massa: A race and in fact a weekend to forget as soon as possible. We could have brought home well deserved points but I only managed to get within one place of them. At the start, I managed to get ahead of the Super Aguris but then I was slowed by the collision between the two Midland cars and that pushed me back. In the first stint, I lost so much time behind cars that were definitely slower. Then, I was always in traffic, only managing to push to the maximum for a handful of laps after the pit stop. The car was very good, as were the Bridgestone tyres. I want to say well done to Michael. He drove a great race, showing that he gets his results on the track and not by other means as was unjustly said yesterday. Now we want to turn the page and concentrate on the coming races, where I am sure we will be strong."
Ross Brawn: The cars went very well for the whole race, as could be seen from the fact we set the fastest race lap with Michael. The Bridgestones were excellent, both in terms of performance and consistency. At half distance we changed strategy, stopping early to get out of traffic and that meant we managed to pass a few cars. Then we were very unlucky with the safety car that came out at the wrong time for us and we actually lost a lap to the cars in front. Michael did a good job to unlap himself and to chase those ahead of him in the final stages, but by then it was too late. Clearly, it's frustrating not to have got the result we could have done. But this disappointment only makes us more determined for the rest of the season. We have the team, the drivers, the cars and the tyres. We will do our utmost to close the gap on our rivals over the next eleven races."
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