Schumacher and Lauda grieve over Alboreto

"I was shocked when I heard the news," said Schumacher on his arrival in the paddock today (Thursday) for the Spanish Grand Prix. "The death of Michele, caused by a tragic co-incidence, is a terrible event. At this moment all my thoughts go out to his family."

Lauda shared in the widespread grief in the paddock as he spoke with fondness of Alboreto, who was killed when his Audi sportscar rolled during testing in Germany on Wednesday. He said the Italian was racing for the love of the sport - not for the money.

"I knew Michele from my racing days and he was a really nice guy," said Lauda, who competed against Alboreto in the Eighties. "I do not know anybody who would say anything wrong about him. He was well educated and a real gentleman. He won a few races and did a good job on the track during his career. It is obvious he still enjoyed racing, he would not be doing it otherwise.

"He did not need the money, and he was not so old that he needed to drive sportscars," added the Austrian. "But people have to realise that motor racing is dangerous. If somebody in this sport thinks nothing can happen to them now then they are wrong. It is sad but we all know the risks involved.

"You have to still enjoy driving the car to the limit, that's what we are all here for. If you do not enjoy it, you stop. That's what I did twice when I retired. If you take away the enjoyment all you have left is the risk, and that is when people stop."