25/06/2006
NEWS STORY
Jean Todt: We leave Montreal with the same result we got in Silverstone a fortnight ago; that's to say a second place with Michael and a fifth for Felipe. We expected a tough, closely fought race and that's what we got. These twelve points can be looked at in two ways: negatively when you think that the gap in the two classifications has got bigger; positively if you consider where we started from on the grid and how things went at the start. The Canadian Grand Prix marks the end of the first half of the season. We are second in both championships, but a long way back, especially when one takes into account the consistency in results terms and the performance level of our main rivals. But this does not mean we are throwing in the towel: not us, nor our friends at Bridgestone.
Michael Schumacher: Today was about damage limitation. Second place is the best we could do in a race that was already complicated by my grid position and was made even harder by what was definitely a far from perfect start, which forced me to be stuck behind Trulli for many laps. The safety car and Kimi's mistake towards the end helped me to make up a place. It was a very hard race, especially as it was very difficult to drive: you only had to stray off the ideal line by a tiny amount and you ran the risk of ending up off the track, as the track was so dirty and the track surface was breaking up. Towards half distance, I lightly touched the wall at the exit to the final corner, but luckily the car was not at all damaged. We must not give up and I know we won't, starting already next weekend in Indianapolis, where tyre performance will be crucial.
Felipe Massa: I am happy with the outcome of today's race, both with my result and with Michael's. These are important points in both championships. We had chosen a different strategy to the others, based on just one stop to refuel and change tyres. Even with a heavy fuel load, the car and tyres performed well and I was able to run a competitive pace. Only after the safety car did I feel a slight lack of grip, but in this particular situation, we were in much better shape than yesterday.
Ross Brawn: Overall, this weekend we were simply not quick enough to overtake our main rivals. We have to make an extra effort to close the gap that separates us from them. The final safety car helped us, allowing Michael to make up a further place and limit the damage in the classification. It was a shame Michael had to spend so many laps behind Trulli. It was frustrating as our driver could run at a much higher pace, as we saw when he was able to push with a clear track ahead of him. The Bridgestone tyres worked well during the race, which is what we'd expected. As the saying goes, "never give up",” and we will stick to that saying!
To check out our Canadian Grand Prix picture gallery, click here