Ralf Praises Toyota's Strategy
Ralf Schumacher thanked his Toyota team for choosing the right race strategy which allowed the German driver to score his maiden podium with the Japanese squad
Schumacher finished in third place at the Hungarian Grand Prix in what was his first top three finish since last year's Japanese Grand Prix.
The Toyota driver admitted he was unsure the three-stop strategy the team opted for would pay off, but was thankful once it proved to be the right decision.
"I must say the team did a great job over the weekend," said Schumacher after the race. "I must admit that I was not 100 percent positive about our strategy we chose, but the chief engineer was right to take it, so thanks to him.
"It was a great weekend for us, being third and fifth in qualifying, the car went great, the pitstops were perfect, so it was all good."
Schumacher was pleased to see his Toyota team proved competitive in the race after a couple of races in which they have shone in qualifying only to fade away come Sunday.
"We have had a lot of comments about us being good in qualifying and not able to maintain position in the race but I think we shocked people today that we are able to go as fast as anyone else except maybe McLaren," he added. "But they are driving in a different world at the moment anyway."
The German put his brother Michael under pressure on the final laps of the race, but the Ferrari driver kept Ralf at bay and the younger Schumacher had to settle for third.
"You could see he was doing the pace he needed to and out of the final corner he had a really good exit so there was no chance to really get him on the straight and I was waiting for a mistake, which he didn't do," added Ralf.
Ogier calls for WRC Rally1 windscreen fogging solution
Ogier calls for WRC Rally1 windscreen fogging solution Ogier calls for WRC Rally1 windscreen fogging solution
What Rovanpera’s decision to go part-time means for the WRC
What Rovanpera’s decision to go part-time means for the WRC What Rovanpera’s decision to go part-time means for the WRC
How Evans completed Toyota’s dream WRC campaign
How Evans completed Toyota’s dream WRC campaign How Evans completed Toyota’s dream WRC campaign
McLaren agrees F1 deal that lures Monster Energy from Mercedes
McLaren agrees F1 deal that lures Monster Energy from Mercedes McLaren agrees F1 deal that lures Monster Energy from Mercedes
Quartararo: Reality is Yamaha still too far from rivals after latest 2024 MotoGP test
Quartararo: Reality is Yamaha still too far from rivals after latest 2024 MotoGP test Quartararo: Reality is Yamaha still too far from rivals after latest 2024 MotoGP test
O'Ward: Moving to F1 after winning Indy 500 would be a "Cinderella story"
O'Ward: Moving to F1 after winning Indy 500 would be a "Cinderella story" O'Ward: Moving to F1 after winning Indy 500 would be a "Cinderella story"
Vinales tops Valencia MotoGP test, Marquez fourth on Ducati debut
Vinales tops Valencia MotoGP test, Marquez fourth on Ducati debut Vinales tops Valencia MotoGP test, Marquez fourth on Ducati debut
Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance
Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
The key ingredients changing as F1's 2026 engine war shapes up
The key ingredients changing as F1's 2026 engine war shapes up The key ingredients changing as F1's 2026 engine war shapes up
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.