Ferrari: disappointed but unbowed

Sporting director Jean Todt summed it all up: "Today's race was very frustrating, but that's racing. We had the quickest car on the track and what could have ended as a one-two finish turned into a race that left us nothing at all.

Brazil 2003 will go down in the record books as the first time since the Nurburgring in 1999 that the team failed to score any points. "I am very disappointed for the drivers, for the team and for Bridgestone, who did an excellent job," said Todt. "I hope that the return to Europe, in front of our fans at Imola, will signal the end to what has been a difficult run of grands prix for us."

A crestfallen Barrichello had little more to add: All I can say is that I did my very best." I concentrated on staying calm and waiting for the right moment to attack. Once in the lead I immediately pulled out a gap, but then I was forced to stop with a fuel feed problem. It was very frustrating as I'm sure I could win...here in front of my fans."

Team-mate Michael Schumacher was typically philosophical about his fate: "As for my accident, I was aquaplaning and in that situation you are just a passenger in the car. But the gap to the championship leader is not so big, given that there are still 13 races, so there is no need to be concerned about it."