Formula 1
European GP: Bridgestone race notes
Ferrari's Michael Schumacher blitzed the field for the sixth time this season after taking a stunning lights-to-flag victory in front of his home crowd at the European Grand Prix this afternoon. The World Champion was simply in a class of his own ...
Published: May 31, 2004, 4:55 AM
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Ferrari's Michael Schumacher blitzed the field for the sixth time this season after taking a stunning lights-to-flag victory in front of his home crowd at the European Grand Prix this afternoon. The World Champion was simply in a class of his own setting a series of hot laps in his opening stint, including fastest lap of the race, he then settled into an untouchable rhythm.
Rubens Barrichello made it a perfect finish for Ferrari and Bridgestone as he stuck to a two-stop strategy to place him on the second step of the podium. Ferrari is now 45 points ahead of its nearest rival in the Constructors' Championship.
Sauber Petronas also had a successful outing at the Nurburgring and Giancarlo Fisichella's strong sixth place finish has put the Swiss based team five points clear of nearest challengers, McLaren. In total, five Bridgestone cars finished in the top ten, showing once again the strength of the Bridgestone tyre package.
Hisao Suganuma, Technical Manager:
"We're all delighted to see our fourth 1-2 finish of the year and we hope to continue this for the rest of the season. It's really down to the effort that has been put into improving our tyre performance and I am really pleased that our tyre advantage has given Ferrari a 1-2 finish and an excellent sixth place for Sauber."
"We saw a variety of strategies on our tyres this afternoon: Michael set the quickest lap of the race on a three stop strategy and both Rubens and Giancarlo maximised our tyre durability to make the most of a two stop strategy. Performance wise we were not only strong in the first lap but the tyres also went on to keep their consistency, making today an excellent result for the team."
Ross Brawn, Ferrari Technical Director:
"To come back after Monaco and win today was fantastic. The guys worked out a great strategy, the drivers drove perfectly and the Bridgestone tyres were great -- everything worked out perfectly today. This victory is in memory of Umberto Agnelli who was a huge supporter of the team."
Willy Rampf, Sauber Technical Director:
"From back of the grid to sixth place is a fantastic performance and we were just behind Alonso at the end of the race. It was exactly as we planned for Giancarlo and one of the keys to our success has been the Bridgestone tyres really doing the job. With high fuel loads we have not had a problem and the Bridgestone's have been very consistent."
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