|
Question :
Michael, you were hoping that on that
side of the grid you could make a good start but in
fact Kimi Raikkonen got in front of you going into
turn one; could you just talk us through that?
|
| M.Schumacher
:
Pretty easy: he out-accelerated me
and was in front of me and I even had to fight against
Coulthard who came very close to me and we were side-by-side
through turns one and three which was quite exciting.
|
| Question :
But you made up for that later in the
race, ran five laps longer than Kimi for that third
stop and came out ahead of him to get the podium finish.
|
| M.Schumacher
: Yeah, that was the only opportunity,
knowing that that they had stopped very early, all the
first two stops, which meant that the last stop they
did was with a lot of fuel. We knew they didn't have
new tyres, so we hoped that our tyres would hold together
and I could do the pace I did and that brought us the
advantage towards them.
|
|
Question :
Quick summary of your race today; do
you think that was as good as you could have expected
here this weekend?
|
| M.Schumacher
: Well, you always hope for better but
looking at the weekend's pace overall that was about
what we thought we would do.
|
| Question :
Michael what was your reaction to that?
|
| M.Schumacher
: Yeah. You never know what happens.
|
|
Question :
How was the car today?
|
| M.Schumacher
: As good as it could have been honestly.
For us it was sort of maximum. We had a bit of a struggle
with the second set; the second stint was probably the
slowest overall because afterwards it was pretty good
for us.
|
| Question :
How worried are you about the Williams-BMW's
at the moment? Obviously two victories, two one-two's
in two races…
|
|
M.Schumacher
: Obviously you need to be concerned
about it. We see what they do, we know what we do
and we obviously work very hard at home to get our
acts together to improve the situation.
|
|
Question :
A question for Michael. Your tyre company
Bridgestone has played a big part in your successes,
this is not a time to panic but what can you do? What
is the next step? You've got a big test coming up
I understand, but is it a moment to start thinking
about taking bigger steps forward with the tyres or
are you going to chip away at it a little bit at a
time?
|
| M.Schumacher
: No we basically stay concentrated and
we will work together in order to improve the situation.
I think everybody knows what we have to do.
|
| Question :
What is that?
|
| M.Schumacher
: If I let you know Ralf would listen
as well |
|
Question :
But if we all know what you have got
to do…
|
| M.Schumacher
: Maybe I will tell some secrets. There
is no point to get into this.
|
|
Question :
Michael, at the beginning of the season
you kept saying that your new car was fantastic. Do
you still feel the same?
|
| M.Schumacher
: We have a very good car indeed, but
obviously so have Williams.
|
| Question :
A question to Michael. Are you worried
that you can only test this week and then only in September
and then Formula One goes to the USA and Japan?
|
| M.Schumacher
: It is the same for everyone. |
|
Question :
But you are at the back at the moment?
|
| M.Schumacher
: At the moment. In Formula One we have
often seen, in particular in the years '97, '98 and
'99, we had phases where we were behind and suddenly
minor things make the thing turn. It is not like we
are completely lost, I gained another point in the championship
lead to Kimi (Raikkonen) today. So all-in-all we know
we are a bit behind the Williams, but we feel confident
that we can change it around.
|
| Question :
Michael, without Bridgestone today
would you win or would you lose. How do you think?
|
| M.Schumacher
: It would be very difficult to run
without tyres. |
| Question :
If I could ask the three drivers how
they assess their chances for Silverstone?
|
| R.Schumacher
: Silverstone, well you never know. It
is a different circuit.
|
|
M.Schumacher
: Is it?
|
| R.Schumacher
:
Okay let's wait and see who will win
that one. New battle here! We have had tests, they were
looking pretty good for us. I guess for the last five
races we have been competitive, why shouldn't we be
there.
|
| J.P.Montoya
: I think it will be pretty hard but
you never know. The first three tests we did there we
were really strong, the last test in hotter conditions
I was still fastest but it looks like they have a little
but more consistency than us. But we've got newer tyres
now so it might be better. |
| M.Schumacher
: I think we had a good test in Silverstone
so we hope that it is good for us.
|
| Question :
Michael, you did lose a position at
the start. I just wondered if there was anything with
your car of if you could explain that…
|
|
M.Schumacher
: No I need to check what is going on,
whether it was me with a bad reaction time or whatever.
I don't know.
|
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