US GP Ferrari race notes

Jean Todt:
“This is Ferrari’s eighth victory of the season and the seventh for Michael. In terms of wins and also with 143 points this is an outright record for the team in one season. A day like this makes you think even more about the championships, but we know that even if there are only two races remaining, the road ahead will still be long and difficult. It was a fantastic race from start to finish with both Michael and Rubens producing a great performance. Michael always makes us nervous when he has a big lead but we know him well by now. He’s like that. He finds it hard to drive slowly! I am very happy for the team, for the preparation work they did, for the job they accomplished during the race and for the way they reacted in the most difficult moments. Now we must keep our concentration and our feet on the ground. We start work again tomorrow to be absolutely ready for Japan and Malaysia.“

Michael Schumacher:
“This is really, really nice! It is the first time we have come here and I did not expect such a reception from the American fans. Another one-two for Ferrari is just the best. After the start, we knew that Coulthard might have a penalty, but I had to pass him as he was slowing me. Of course that was done so that Mika could catch me, which is fair enough as they are team mates. I think he tried a bit too hard to stop me and we touched. In the early stages I was concentrating on saving my tyres. I was in front when Mika went out and I believe I could have stayed there if he had continued. We beat them fair and square. As for my spin, I wasn’t concentrating because I was cruising after the team told me to slow down. I got caught out on some wet grass which spun me round. Ross Brawn told me on the radio to concentrate and I replied that I was awake now. As for the championship, I refuse to believe in it until it is over. Now we must concentrate and work hard for the next two races. Of course this is a good position to be in as I can finish twice second and still win the championship on the number of wins. But I prefer to win the next race. Now I am heading back to Italy and will be testing on Thursday and Friday.“

Rubens Barrichello:
“I am very happy for myself and for the team after this good result. It was great to see so many Brazilian and Ferrari flags in the grandstands. In the early part of the race I found I had too much oversteer on the rain tyres and so I called for dry ones on the radio. I had a lot of fuel on board and the car was quite difficult to drive at that point. I made my pit stop a bit too early, maybe five laps, but as I was on a long run I knew I would get my chance later. When I saw Mika stop, I knew I had to push hard to try and get the best possible result for the team and give them sixteen points. Although my car was quick, I had a bit too much wing which made it hard to pass Heinz-Harald, but when he pitted I got my chance.”