Austrian GP: Bridgestone race notes

Ferrari snatch constructors' lead whilst Button bags 5 points on Bridgestones

An extraordinary race at the A1 Ring in Austria this afternoon saw Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello claim first and third places whilst fellow Bridgestone runner Jenson Button of Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda claimed five points for fourth. Schumacher is now just two points behind Raikkonen whilst Barrichello has gained one place to lie third overall in the Drivers' Championship. The Scuderia have now also leapt to the head of the constructors' table. Button meanwhile has climbed three places to tenth overall.

However, this afternoon's race, which started at the third time of trying, saw both Ferrari drivers experiencing fuel rig problems. Having found themselves delayed in their pitstops, this consequently put the pressure on tyre performance and neither Schumacher nor Barrichello was let down. The pair were able to push hard taking advantage of Bridgestone's tyre performance on this traditionally low grip circuit.

Hisao Suganuma - Technical Manager - Bridgestone Motorsport:

"We're absolutely delighted to see Michael win and Rubens finish in third despite both having fuel rig problems. Rubens was really pushing Raikkonen towards the end which was great to see and without their earlier problems it could well have been a 1-2 for them. On top of that, both Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve had extremely strong races. Athough only Jenson was able to capitalise on it, this really demonstrated the strength of our tyre performance this weekend. Firman and Wilson also finished which was good experience for them. All in all, a productive weekend."

Ross Brawn - Technical Director - Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:

"We were heavily compromised because of what happened at the pitstops but the Bridgestones were excellent today. Michael and Rubens ran different specifications but they were both consistent, they were there at the end of the stint and we were very happy with the tyres."

Geoff Willis - Technical Director - Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda:

"I have to say Bridgestone's tyre recommendation served us very well. That was an extremely competitive race for us and as far as the tyres are concerned we didn't have any problems. Jenson got his just reward with fourth and Jacques was unfortunately denied an equally high finish. But the car and tyre partnership proved very competitive today."

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