Germany: Strong drive to 6th

By Karl KING
July 24 2005

Ralf Schumacher drove a strong race to 6th from 12th on the grid after qualifying with a heavy fuel load which took him to lap 25 of 67. He crossed the line behind his brother - if there was another lap the younger Schumacher probably would have had his brother.

Race Quotes:

“The start wasn’t perfect,” Ralf said, “but I also had a bit of bad luck after the pit stop because I didn’t expect it to be so difficult to get the grip back into the tyres and I lost two positions. I gained one of them back and I think against Fisichella I wouldn’t have been able to maintain my position anyway because he had a stronger car. But, coming from 12th, I was quite happy and the car felt good throughout.”

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"That was an exciting race for the public and a good one for me as well," said Ralf. "I said yesterday that we could have a good race today and so it proved. I didn't make the best of starts and I found myself crowded out, but it is always like that in Hockenheim. From then on our strategy was excellent, including a long stint before the first pit stop. We could even have ended up one or two positions higher. Unfortunately when I came out of the pits after my first stop the tyres took a couple of laps to get my lap times back while I was struggling for grip. But three points is another good result. The team did a great job and we have to be happy with this result."