Surprised Schumacher Supports Ferrari's Decision

Michael Schumacher faced the Formula One media on Wednesday for the first time since leaving the A1-Ring and, though he admitted to a certain "helpless" feeling in face of the furore after the Austrian Grand Prix, gave his solid support to Ferrari's team orders policy in pursuit of Championships and success.

"Yes, it was a surprise to me to feel that atmosphere," he said. "I felt a bit helpless, to be honest and it is difficult to explain my feelings about that now. I struggled to understand it."

Sitting on a stool at one end of a packed Ferrari team motor home in the equally-crowded harbourside paddock here in Monte Carlo, Schumacher talked with honesty and feeling.

But he declined all opportunities to criticise his team and pointed out that during the years of struggle in the late 1990's, when they were beaten in the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships, the team's tifosi had been "feeling sorry" for them.

"Now, we have a way of winning that we all understand and it works," he said. "But their reaction is a surprise to me."

He said the decisions to issue team orders were not his responsibility and avoided questions that invited him to speculate on similar scenarios in future. "At the end of the day, it is the team that takes the decisions, not me," he said.

Asked about his heavily-criticised behaviour on the podium, when he ushered Rubens Barrichello on to the top step and ensured he was given the victor's trophy, Schumacher said he had made that decision clearly in his own mind beforehand.

"In Austria, it was clear to me to give Rubens the trophy," he said. "It has happened like that many previous times."

But, he said, when it came to the reaction of the crowd, he had to admit he felt "confused with their reaction" and that his own behaviour was "not clearly thought through."

Schumacher said he had little idea what lay ahead for Ferrari when they travel to Paris to explain the events in Austria to the world council of the FIA on June 26. "It will be a surprise to me," he said.

He added that he felt no need to strive to perform any differently in Monaco or to prove that his ability or dignity remained intact. "Look at my history," he said. "How often have I needed them (team orders)? Or how often have I had to say I must win in the right way?"

He said he felt the entire episode had been exaggerated and that its impact on the personal side of his life had been minor. When asked if the furore had affected his motivation, he smiled.

"You have known me for a long time," he said. "What is the expression in English? When the tough get going. No. When the going gets tough, the tough get going."