Schumacher Aims to Fight for Pole
World Champion Michael Schumacher claimed Ferrari were far from unhappy with their third spot in first qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix - even though the team are in need of a victory this weekend to kick-start their title campaign
The German had been quickest in the morning's first free practice session and was expected to be a serious threat for provisional pole position, but in the end was outpaced by both Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso to end up third overall.
Although the near three-tenths deficit to the front of the grid was probably not want Schumacher wanted to see, he claimed he was generally upbeat about the overall performance of the F2005.
"I am indeed (happy)," he said. "We have been showing pretty consistently strong performance over the weekend and with qualifying overall it was a bit of a weak spot after seeing all the races. We also had a weak spot at the end of races, but we have worked well on that so I am pretty happy."
When asked whether he believed he had a car capable of fighting for pole position and victory, he said: "I think we will be there. It is going to be tight and tough but I think we have an opportunity."
Schumacher's troubled start to the campaign has left him 24 points behind Alonso in the title chase but, despite the results, the seven-times Champion is still confident that Ferrari have shown signs of promise.
"After this particular start (to the season) everybody was extremely motivated to see the performance possibility with the new car in Bahrain," he said. "We have worked hard and pushed extremely hard and the result we can see here. So we are in a good mood and qualifying confirms what we have done so far."
Frustrated Massa Delighted with Car
Fisichella Baffled by Lack of Pace
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix