Schumacher On The Ragged Edge At Monza
By Dale Calkins
September 4 2005
Michael Schumacher put in an incredible lap today to take the 7th fastest time during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. Rubens Barrichello also pushed hard to set the 8th fastest time, a definite improvement for Ferrari.
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Schumacher On The Ragged Edge At Monza |
Dale Calkins |
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Michael
Schumacher Q: 7th - 1'21.721 Michael Schumacher came into this Grand Prix weekend, not expecting much besides a struggle. Schumacher did indeed struggle on Friday but he was back on the pace on Saturday as he was 2nd in the 3rd practice session. Michael would also shine in qualifying as he threw the car all over the track. Schumacher knew the car was not perfect so he needed to push and he pushed to the very edge to set the 7th fastest time. Michael will actually start 6th as Kimi Raikkonen had to change his engine after taking pole position. Here is what the 7-Time World Champion had to say about his qualifying run in Italy: "Considering I had to make my run early in the session, which is definitely a disadvantage, I am quite happy with my lap time, which owes a lot to the work we did here last week. Although we should not really use our performance in Turkey as a reference point, this is an improvement. We have worked well and, if you leave out one team, who are just too dominant, we are in the frame. Tomorrow, our realistic target is to fight for points. Although it would be wonderful to end up on the podium in front of all our home fans, I feel that is a bit too optimistic." Rubens Barrichello Q: 8th - 1.21.962 Rubens Barrichello also showed some impressive ragged skill as he was only two tenths slower than Schumacher. Barrichello has been very slow lately, but hopefully he can change that in the race and score some much needed points. Rubens will start from 7th on the grid. Here is what the Brazilian had to say after his session: "I think that today’s performance shows that we have done a good job of improving the car since yesterday. But I drove a good lap which started very well, until I had a bit too much graining on the front tyres, which caused the car to understeer and I lost time in the two Lesmo corners. Considering the problems we have encountered so far, I think I can be relatively pleased with today’s result and I am happy with my last good qualifying lap for Ferrari at Monza." Ross Brawn Technical Director Ferrari's Technical Director Ross Brawn, was quite pleased with today's session and also believes the team will do well in their home race. Here is what Ross had to say about the qualifying session: "Considering our limited expectations for this weekend, I think that our qualifying performance was not too bad. Yesterday, we were not so happy with the balance of the car and the engineers and drivers have done a good job to improve that situation. Another reason for optimism is that this morning the tyres seemed to perform consistently. Therefore, we can be hopeful of having a good race. But in order to do that, it will be important to overtake the cars directly ahead of us on the grid." |
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September 4, 2005 |
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