'Lucky' Ralf Delighted with Podium
Ralf Schumacher welcomed a stroke of good luck that helped him finish on the podium at the season-ending Chinese Grand Prix
The Toyota driver, who had started from pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix, benefited from the Safety Car periods during the race to emerge in fourth position thanks to his strategy.
But Schumacher moved to third when Giancarlo Fisichella collected a drive-through penalty for obstructive driving with six laps to go.
While in Japan Schumacher complained that the Safety Car had spoiled his chances in Japan, he admitted they were boosted this time.
"We had a very difficult weekend in the way the car was really difficult in the beginning and even qualifying, and then we were a bit lucky with the safety car," said Schumacher.
"This time lucky, last time not, so it paid off, and yeah, the team had a good strategy, the pitstops were brilliant so it worked out."
The Toyota driver had struggled with the handling of his car during most of the weekend, but said the problems had been solved in the race.
"The car was, basically after the first pitstop, was handling well, especially after the second safety car, it was incredible, and I was able to follow Fernando which, although I knew he was on more fuel, still I was able to pull out the gap I needed, so it was just very good," he said.
Schumacher's podium is his second of the season and helped him move ahead of teammate Jarno Trulli in the drivers' standings.
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