Ferrari’s technical director Ross Brawn reflects on the day that Michael Schumacher and Ferrari rewrote not just one, but several, F1 records.
Ferrari’s technical director Ross Brawn reflects on the day that Michael Schumacher and Ferrari rewrote not just one, but several, F1 records.
Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello may have won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, but Suzuka 2003 will probably be best remembered for Schumacher sealing his record sixth drivers’ title and Ferrari its fifth consecutive constructors’ championship.
With title wins in 1994, ’95, 2000, ’01, ’02, and now 2003, the German eclipses the record he previously shared with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. He also tied the late Argentine’s record of claiming the championship on four consecutive seasons, a feat no driver has been able to achieve in 45 years. Fangio won the title every year from 1954 until 1957.
Furthermore, Ferrari built on its records with its 13th constructors’ title, four more than second-ranked Williams. Ferrari’s run of five consecutive constructors’ cup victories also eclipses the record of four in a row set by McLaren (1988 until 1991).
Ross Brawn on Sunday praised Schumacher for his gritty performance, which saw him claim a point despite an unscheduled pitstop after a collision with Takuma Sato’s BAR Honda.
“It was typical Michael, he always has to make an event out of it!” said Brawn. “We wanted to make sure that he scored a point today, even though we knew Rubens was in a position to win and prevent Kimi from doing so.
“Michael thought Sato had opened the door for him, but it became clear that he hadn’t,” quoted him as saying. “He was exposed after that collision and had to be aggressive to get back into the points. He was mixing it with people which, with due respect, we don’t normally mix with.
But it’s been a dream end to the season,” the Briton added. “It’s a beautiful team and great to be a part of it. I feel a bit numb at the moment – it was an amazing race and I need to come down! I haven’t quite believed it yet.”
Barrichello joined in the praise of his record-breaking team-mate: “You cannot compare drivers from different generations, but what Michael has done today is a fantastic achievement.”