Coulthard: Reliability Key to Schumacher's Success

Britain's David Coulthard summed up the secret of Michael Schumacher's success with well-chosen words and a hint of envy on Sunday.

"His is a car that goes like a Ferrari and is built like a tractor. It just never breaks down," said the McLaren driver after a German Grand Prix that added more landmarks to those already littering the champion's extraordinary career.

The Ferrari ace secured his 11th win in 12 races, a tally equalling his own 2002 record for the number of victories in a season. On the way, he also became the first Formula One driver to start 100 Grands Prix on the front row.

The truly eye-catching number, though, was a mere half century - Schumacher celebrating 50 races without any mechanical or technical failure.

"That is the most extraordinary credit to their entire team and that's what makes the difference. Their reliability is stunning," said BAR boss David Richards. "It is quite extraordinary, the most extraordinary record I've ever heard."

Put into perspective, half the grid in Sunday's race had yet to start 50 races let alone complete such a number untroubled. It was no surprise Schumacher was accompanied on to the podium by Paolo Martinelli, the engine expert behind the Ferrari's bullet-proof V10.

Schumacher Celebrations

Schumacher's last race retirement was in Monaco in May this year, when he collided in the tunnel with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya. Before that, he slid off the track in a torrential downpour in Brazil in April 2003.

But his last mechanical failure dates back to Hockenheim in July 2001 when he had a fuel pressure problem.

"It is just fabulous, absolutely wonderful. It's not only the reliability, the pitstops, just everything, it's just spot on," Schumacher gushed about the reliability on Sunday.

"We are able to achieve 100 percent most of the time and that is what makes this team so strong and us so difficult to beat," he added.

Hockenheim, while not Schumacher heartland like the Nurburgring near his boyhood home in Cologne, is nonetheless a temple to the German motorsport hero even if before Sunday it was also his least successful track.

Only twice before had he won at the southern circuit, whose once daunting blast through the forest has been replaced by a more compact layout with plenty of overtaking possibilities. The German basked in his achievement.

"I'm just extremely happy. There are no words for this feeling," said the 35-year-old, who could hear the roar of the crowd above the noise of his engine. "If you see what happened yesterday, this morning I was out on the parade lap, all the emotions from our fans here, it was just fabulous.

"And then to win the race and to do it at home where I haven't been that greatly successful over the years, it's just unbelievable. Several numbers are coming together again this weekend which simply makes it extra special."