Malaysian GP Ferrari race notes

Tenth win of the season for Ferrari, the ninth for Michael Schumacher. Having already taken the Drivers' title, the Scuderia has now added the Constructors' Championship title for the second consecutive year and for the tenth time in its history.

Michael Schumacher: "We wanted to win the Constructors' Championship and we have done it, not just by getting three points but by winning and by coming third. It was a very tight and tough race and DC was pushing me all the way, so it was tough physically and on the car. I did not know Mika had jumped the start as I was concentrating on the lights. I did not have a very good start and struggled to get off the line and so I was third as David out-braked me round the outside. He was pulling away and I was concerned, because I could not go any faster. At that point he was definitely quicker than me. I was hoping he would pit early. He did and our strategy did the rest. David put me under pressure at the end, but I had looked after the last set of tyres so that I could have defended myself if I had needed to fight him off. Then I just concentrated on not making a mistake. After the team has finished packing up, we will have a big, big party tonight and then we can go into a winter holiday, which the whole team deserves. They have worked so hard and delivered a perfect car. It's superb! "

Rubens Barrichello:
"The conditions were very hot and at first I was worried the heat might affect me as I still have a bit of 'flu. But the car felt good all the time and so I was able to maintain a good pace. I also did not make a very good start and Wurz and Villeneuve came outside me. I was lucky not to hit anybody. I went into the corner really fast and managed to come out of Turn 2 ahead of Villeneuve. I had a lonely race, but I think it was my second best one after Hockenheim, because I was not feeling well but still raced at qualifying speed almost the whole time apart from the last ten laps, when the team told me on the radio to back off. My only problem was at the second pit stop when I could not get first gear and lost a few seconds. I am very pleased. The season has gone very well for me and to finish in a strong position like this means we can start next year in a strong position too."

Jean Todt:
"The championship could not have finished better than this, with two drivers on the podium. This season's figures speak for themselves: ten wins, nine for Michael and one for Rubens. It has been a fantastic year. Today, we could have got by with three points, but we wanted to think big, not small, which is what the team deserves. A big thank you to President Montezemolo, who is here this evening to celebrate this happy moment with the mechanics, engineers and drivers. A big thank you also to the fans and those who always believed in us. This dream result has been obtained thanks to a dream team."