Post-race press conference - German GP - Pt.1.

Drivers: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Jenson Button (BAR), Fernando Alonso (Renault)

TV unilaterals

Q:
Michael, what a day in front of your home crowd...

Michael Schumacher:
Yeah, what a weekend, you have to say. Yesterday, pole position; today, the victory. It was a pretty tough race, especially the beginning when Kimi was putting on the pressure, and then Jenson had a fantastic drive, together with Fernando. It was a battle. The gap I had initially, I was able to keep, but not really extend. In this way, it was a little bit difficult, especially at the beginning as Jenson was staying out pretty long after his first pit stop and it wasn't sure whether they would maybe even be on a two-stop strategy. So it was a tough race not knowing what was going on at several stages in the race.

Q:
And, just before he went off at turn one, Kimi was right behind you there after that first pit-stop...

MS:
Yeah, he was right behind and he was quick, no doubt. I think you have the general trend that between the tyre manufacturers, you have certain stages in the race where one is quicker than the other and then it's the other way round later. So I wasn't too worried as long as he was behind me and, as a strategy, it could have worked out. But it would have been a tough one, no doubt.

Q:
There looked to be some pretty nifty pit work from the Ferrari crew on lap 47, on your third stop, just after Rubens had cleared the road there. Rubens had just come in and then you came in straight after him,

MS:
Okay, I didn't know that. When I came in, everything was clear and our guys were just superb. Even though they are under pressure, they don't crack, and that's what's so fantastic about them.

Q:
Jenson, a great drive. I guess it is a complement that Michael thought you were on a two-stop race at one point?

Jenson Button:
The car has been working great all weekend. It is difficult because I am so happy to have finished second and, for me, it was the best drive of my career - I had the best car underneath me. You know the car performed fantastically and also the engine. But it's slightly disappointing [to know] that, if I had started third, it could have been a different story - there could have been a lot more pressure on Michael, which I would have enjoyed very much. But that's not to be - we've got to wait for that. But, all in all, it's a fantastic result and I've got to say a big thank you to the team.

Q:
You actually led the race as early as lap 13. Can you talk us through that early stage?

JB:
Sure. On the first lap, I initially got a good start, and then I got stuck behind Taku at turn one, on the outside, and I lost a lot of places. I think I ended up the first lap in 13th still, and then just worked my way up a little bit. After the first stop, the team did a fantastic job and I came out in fifth or sixth or something, so I'm very happy.

Q:
And a brilliant race with Fernando Alonso...

JB:
Yeah, we had a good little tussle. He's not the easiest guy to overtake, but he's very fair and I enjoyed it.

Q:
We saw you on the camera playing with your helmet quite a lot on the side there. What was the problem?

JB:
The team initially thought it was a visor, but it wasn't. It was the strap under the helmet, which was a little bit loose. The problem is that, when the helmet is loose, it lifts up slightly, and it was really catching on my throat and it made it really very difficult to breathe. So I had to hold it on every straight to keep it down so that I could get some air in.

Q:
Fernando, looking fantastic for P2 there, but what happened with 14 laps to go?

Fernando Alonso:
Well, I don't know really. At the beginning, I thought a front wheel problem, I thought that something was broken there, and then I thought a suspension problem. It was impossible to turn in, no front end at all. I did three laps running in the 1min 18s, 1min 19s. David arrived and Montoya was very close. I even called the pits to come in on that lap and check, but they said 'stay out, there are 13 laps to go and the maximum you arrive in is sixth or seventh and you take some points'. I was really worried at that stage and then I touched one kerb at turn six and the car was back to normal so, from there, it was a normal race for the last ten laps, eleven laps.

Q:
You've made many brilliant starts in your career with Renault, was this one the best start you have ever made?

FA:
This was one of the best. I think the best one was in Indianapolis, from ninth to third, but this one if I had qualified fourth yesterday, probably I would get first position. But anyway, to be second was a great surprise.

Q:
And then that great race with Jenson, tell us from your point of view how that was....

FA:
Yeah, it was very fun, I think, for both of us. We had two or three moments of big risk, I think in turn seven, I believe. I think we both enjoyed the fight. I think we are two very aggressive drivers, not easy to overtake, very aggressive, we think we can overtake as well, but we are both very fair. I enjoyed it in those laps.

Q:
Michael, this is now your 50th straight race without a technical failure on the car, what does that say about the team?

MS:
It's just self explanat... it explains itself! And it is just fabulous, absolutely wonderful, it's not only the reliability, the pit-stops, just everything, it's just spot on. We are able to achieve 100 per cent most of the time and that is what makes this team so strong and us so difficult to beat.