| He may have crossed the line in second place, missing out on his record seventh victory at the Belgian Grand Prix, but this was one occasion when Michael Schumacher didn’t mind coming in second as it was all he needed to clinch his record seventh world crown, his fifth in succession for the Ferrari team, in their 200th Grand Prix event.
Starting from second on the grid, Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix was far from the norm we have seen all year as a mixed up grid, accidents and blown tyres caused havoc. But through it all Michael kept his head and drove a superb race to take what everyone =has known was his for most of the season, that glorious seventh world crown.
'Every title has felt different and has given me different emotions. This one is very special, coming here in Spa which means so much to me and to do it for the seventh time at Ferrari’s seven hundredth grand prix is also something special,” Michael said afterwards. “I am very proud to have done it with such an exceptional team, who have done an amazing job – look at the way they got Rubens back on track. In fact Rubens drove a great race today. This is what makes our team so strong. Of course, I would have preferred to have taken the title with a win, but it was not possible. The better man won today, but I am quite happy with what I have achieved. All three of us on the podium today have reason to celebrate. On the track I struggled to get my tyres up to the right temperature and pressure when we were behind the Safety Car, but it was not a surprise for us, especially as it was quite cool today.'
Meanwhile, after a disastrous start for teammate Rubens Barrichello, the Ferrari team came through to celebrate a double podium finish. Involved in a first lap incident, Rubens was forced to pit for repairs that sent him to the back of the grid. Determined not to give up, the Brazilian bounced back and finished third. Even though he now has to settle for second in the championship, Rubens is very happy for Michael and the team.
“At the moment, it is hard for me to think straight, finishing third after what happened at the start. It is a magic feeling. The team were speaking to me as though we were chatting in a living room, telling me to keep calm and explaining what they were doing,” he said. “If I was unlucky with the accident, I was lucky with the Safety Car. I was not sure what happened, but I felt the car weaving from side to side and it turned out I had a puncture and also a damaged wing and the team made the right decision to change the tyre and then to bring me in again for the wing. After the restarts I found it hard to follow other cars. The team did a superb job and I kept pushing hard all the time. My car was actually very good apart from the small problem with warming up the tyres.'
'It was an incredible and action packed race, with the safety car on track no less than three times following accidents. In the end, we took second place with Michael and third with Rubens. This result means that Michael takes a fifth consecutive Drivers’ title with Ferrari, the seventh of his career, while Rubens consolidates his second place in the classification. Once again, the race highlighted that the Bridgestone tyres are very reliable,” added Jean Todt. “I am also pleased that Massa and Fisichella finished fourth and fifth which is a cause for satisfaction for my friend Peter Sauber and means that four of our engines finished in the top five. Obviously, we have got used to the taste of victory this season, but I have to say that today’s fourteen points are particularly satisfying and significant. In Budapest we won the Constructors’ title and here, Michael has clinched the Drivers.’ This team is writing a unique chapter in the history of Ferrari and for that, I want to thank president Montezemolo, our drivers, our shareholders and our partners, without whose support and efforts we would not have been able to achieve what we have done.'
'It was a busy race with not a moment’s peace on the pit wall. I think Michael drove a very cautious race, trying not to take any unnecessary risks. He knew that he had to finish ahead of Rubens and so he did. Furthermore, the three safety car periods did not help us, because at the restarts, our tyres did not get up to temperature immediately,” said Ross Brawn. “Rubens drove a really great race: finishing on the podium after what happened at the start and his two consecutive pit stops is fantastic. McLaren were very strong today, but it would have been interesting to see what would have happened in a straight fight without the safety cars. In any case, we cannot be unhappy with a second and third place. I am very proud of this team. What it has won over the past six years represents something incredible.'
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