Ferrari: No Excuses for Poor Showing
Ferrari have no excuses for their disappointing start of the 2005 season following a disastrous Malaysian Grand Prix, according to team boss Jean Todt
"There can be no excuses after a race like this," said Todt after World Champion Michael Schumacher finished in seventh place over a minute behind race winner Fernando Alonso.
While Alonso took the chequered flag after starting from pole position, Ferrari and Schumacher struggled in the hottest race on the calendar.
The German, who failed to finish the Australian season-opener, could at least console himself with two points at a favourite Ferrari circuit where he has won more times than any other driver.
Todt admitted their rivals had done a better job.
"After qualifying, we knew the race would be one of fighting our way up the order and so it turned out, added Todt. "We were beaten by opponents who proved to be stronger than us.
"We have won so often thanks to the work of the team and our partners and now we have to work together to turn the situation around. Once again, this shows how difficult it is to win. We know we have all the elements required to succeed.
Ferrari have three days of testing scheduled for next week at Mugello to develop their F2005, and Todt said they will decide then when to debut the new car.
"Of course, seventh place is not exactly worth celebrating, but I feel that I did the best I could have done today, coming up from 13th on the grid," said Schumacher. "A Formula One car is very complex and there is not one single factor to blame for our poor performance.
"We are simply not strong enough in several areas at the moment. We are well aware of that and we are and we will continue to work hard to deal with that. Now I head to Mugello to drive the F2005 for the first time. Driving a new car is always something special, so I am looking forward to that."
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, meanwhile, retired from the race, struggling with the handling of his car after a piece of rubber had got attached to the rear wing of and ruined his tyres.
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