Ferrari take another 16 points and more records

“It is fantastic to get this great result in our home race, as everyone, the staff and the two test drivers are here in Monza,” said a delighted Barrichello. “It is a great way to pay them all back for their hard work. I don’t think we can ever expect to experience such a feeling again as we did on the podium with people as far as the eye could see. As for the race, I was a bit confused about how I got the lead. I saw Ralf slow down and I dived inside him. Then I slipstreamed Montoya and got past him too. It was the perfect lap and the car was just getting better all the time so I was able to push hard. I think two stops was the way to go today. I want to thank everyone especially the test team and also Bridgestone, who did a great job to bring such a good tyre for this weekend after last week’s test. As we are at home, I guess we will have a big party tonight.”

Michael Schumacher made it a perfect day for the Tifosi with 2nd place. Schumacher lost out at the start as he was squeezed by the Williams pair and was dropped to fourth. Running heavy on fuel he made quick work of passing Montoya who was forced into many mistakes by the Schumacher pressure. For Michael his six points gave him another record for most points scored by a driver in a season, beating the previous record, which he held.

“Before this weekend, I did not want to think about the possibility of this result, because we have already done so much this year,” remarked Michael. “But the one-two finish was the ideal dream result. I really enjoyed the podium ceremony. I could look all the way down the straight and it was just full of tifosi and that was an amazing feeling. I have plenty of experience of being on the podium, but I have never seen anything like this. It was a perfect day for all of us. I am aware that today I have another record, for the most number of points in one season, but it does not mean that much, given that the record was already mine. After the start, I had a few problems, but the second stint went well. Then, after Rubens’ second stop, we slowed the pace a bit to spare the car and get to the finish.”

“This was a great triumph. We knew it would be a difficult race but our driver-car-Bridgestone tyre package proved to be fantastic,” concluded Jean Todt. “We had chosen different strategies for the two drivers in order to be able to tackle any situation created by our opponents. Everything worked well. The drivers put in an incredible performance and the team worked in a fantastic way to bring home a result which is all the greater because it was achieved in front of our fans and the staff of the Ferrari-Maserati Group. We have shown we are an exceptional team which still works with extraordinary motivation. We have great technical and commercial partners who contribute to our success and we also have great strength and stability which is the basis for what we have seen this year.”