Q & A with Ralf Schumacher

Ralf Schumacher: Oh yes, it is clearly safer, you'd have to say. The second chicane, they did a great job here, because now you have a chance to escape if you have a brake failure. It's a good change for us. The circuit, they at least tried to do it - it's difficult at such a high-speed circuit; they are surrounded by big old trees which you can't remove easily. So they are trying their best.

Q. Mark Webber said in the press conference that the changes were good, but that ideally it would be good to see them at other parts of the circuit too, such as the Parabolica. I guess this goes with what you were saying about the trees being in the way, but fundamentally, do you agree with him?

RS: Partly yes, you can agree, but you can only do these things one step at a time. You have to be happy with what they did; they have invested money into the barrier, they invested money into the tarmac run-off, and I'm sure that there will be continuous changes. A few more changes will be made in the future, so I am quite happy with that. We shouldn't criticise anything.

Q. Have you spoken to the circuit directors about the future changes?

RS: Well, we are in direct contact with the FIA, and we send our reports. We sent a report last year, and they reacted to what the FIA wanted. So it's perfect.

Q. The driver market in F1 started moving very early this year - you have been answering questions about your plans for 2008 for month. Why do you think it is taking so long to resolve, not just for you, but for everybody? Is everyone waiting for something to happen somewhere else?

RS: Certainly, the situation at McLaren doesn't help it. A driver who wants to leave, officially I don't know how that's changed, but it doesn't help because for some teams, it is worthwhile waiting for Fernando.

That's clear. And therefore, the last few spots that are available are not moving at the speed that you would usually expect. But let's wait and see - I'm sure it's going to be quite quick now; in the next few weeks. We'll see.

Q. Is it getting frustrating?

RS: No, not really. I really enjoy what I do and I am a long time in the business, so I know how it works. All you do it, you concentrate on your business, you concentrate on what you do, and you hope to get some goods results somewhere ... you can't change the future; it will come.

Q. Speaking of McLaren, are you surprised at the newest development in the spy saga, with the new evidence that the FIA says it has received?

RS: Honestly, I have not ... first of all, the whole situation is difficult for Formula 1 and I think it's a shame that it is happening. But I have not really followed up with the new evidence or whatever.

I'm not really interested. It's not my business. I simply hope that the sport comes out without too much damage. And hopefully it won't influence anything with the drivers, because the championship this year is great, it's really close now and let's hope that it stays like this."