Australian GP Ferrari race notes

This is the fifth consecutive win for Ferrari (136 in total) and for Michael Schumacher (45 wins.) It was also Scuderia's fourth Australian Grand Prx victory, the third in a row.

Michael Schumacher:
"I was very shocked as we have only just heard that a marshal has died. I am sure everyone feels down about this. We must see what can be done to improve their working conditions from a safety point of view. As for the race I made a great start as a result of all the practice we did over the winter. Then I tried to split my race into a rhythm, to be fast when I needed to and not overdrive the car. The car was very good and although this can give us confidence for the season, we know we must not be over-confident. At the end I slowed my pace, because the important thing is to win, not the margin you do it by. I just wanted to bring the car home, as we have not done many race distances before coming here. The reason I had my hand on top of my helmet was that I had taped an air vent to stop wind getting in my eyes, but it was getting too hot and so I pulled the tape off."

Rubens Barrichello:
"To score points is good, but you cannot be happy when a colleague who is there for you is killed. It is very bad news and my thoughts are with his family. I had a difficult race. I did not make a particularly good start and I was passed by three cars. Then when I was passing Frentzen, I was on the inside, but he kept coming and took me into the corner. We touched and that affected the toe-in on the left front wheel and from then I could not keep on the pace. In fact at the end of the race, my left front tyre was ruined. Then Alonso probably did not notice the blue flags, as he is a "new boy" and I had no space left and had to go on the grass. It was worse because the earlier damage to the car made right turns difficult. So David (Coulthard) got past me. Then, towards the end, Ross Brawn told me to back off so as not to take any excessive risks on the reliability side." Jean Todt:
"Just before going on the podium, Michael, Rubens and I asked about the condition of the track marshal. We were told that he had died and this affected us badly. We know motor racing is a dangerous sport and that an out of control car can lose parts which can hit those whose love of the sport sees them stand at the side of the track to ensure the safety of others. As for the race, Michael made a great start, while Rubens who dropped to fifth, did a great job to climb back up the order. Once they had settled into their positions, both men drove in such a way not to put too much stress on the cars. This is probably the quickest car we have produced over the past few years. We know what we have to do from now on to improve it still further and to keep it at an excellent level. The championship has only just begun but this is a good start. In the last few weeks in Maranello and then here at the track, the mechanics and engineers have worked hard. This result is the best reward for all of us."