MICHAEL SCHUMACHER INTERVIEW: April 17, 2008 On Testing Tire Warmers

(from autosport)


Q & A with Michael Schumacher



Q. How was the test with the slick tyres, was it like old times?

Michael Schumacher: It was obviously interesting because they have lots of grip and they are very different. It was fun. I quite like to drive these slicks. Although obviously one subject is the tyre blankets that I think they have to think about it, whether it is a good decision or not.

Q. Do you think testing is now part of your job?

MS: No I think there are many other more important factors than me sitting once or twice in the car.

Q. What do you think about the rest of the championship now that we are beginning the European season?

MS: I think we are very strong. We have been over the winter, and we have shown it in the last two races in particular. We were even in Australia, but we couldn't show it. So there is no reason not to feel good and confident, but with the knowledge that you have to keep on pushing and fighting.

Q. We have seen some pictures of you falling and crashing your bike at the Lausitzring. Was it a scary moment?

MS: Well you prefer not to fall down but that is part of the game. If you drive motorbikes it can happen. You can have crashes with cars, you can have all sorts of things. But I am quite happy to do what I am doing.

Q. Are you going to do some more bike races?

MS: I will not stop motorcycling because I just love it too much.

Q. Will you do some races next weekend or will you stay at home?

MS: I have no particular plans right now.

Q. You have driven the slicks today, is it good step forward for Formula One?

MS: I believe the general decision is a very good one for F1 to change the ratio between aerodynamic performance to mechanical performance. Meaning that you will probably see more close driving between the cars. You do have to think of the approach, if you want to use tyre blankets or not, because that can be crucial. We have to decide and think very carefully if this is the right approach. But anyway, I think it is a good step for everybody. The drivers like it, the spectators will like it, and I hope you will too.

Q. Do you mean they have to change the rules about tyre blankets next year?

MS: I think they will have to rethink this approach, because everybody already has tyre blankets. We don't save anything, we don't do anything other than make it more difficult for everybody.

Q. What do you think of the improvement of Renault in Barcelona?

MS: I didn't watch, honestly I didn't see.

Q. They have managed to get to the top of the times.

MS: Yeah but you know at this test I don't think the times will be so precise because we slick tyres, grooved tyres, 2008 regulations, 2009 regulations, you have high fuel, low fuel and you have all sorts of variables. It's not really clear who was doing what at what time.

Q. Do you think Alonso could be a lost champion?

MS: One thing I always avoid doing is to comment on other people. And I don't see any reason to change this.

Q. What is your opinion on the latest version of this Ferrari car?

MS: Well I only know from the Ferrari, I don't know from anybody else...

 

Additional comments by Michael:


Schumacher voices tyre warmer ban fears

Michael Schumacher has joined a number of leading drivers who are calling for a re-think on the ban on tyre warmers in 2009.

Schumacher tested the slicks for the first time with Ferrari at Barcelona on Wednesday, and added his voice to the growing chorus on the issue by saying that any decision on the matter must be taken after 'careful' consideration.

Drivers are concerned that without tyre warmers, the re-introduced slick tyres combined with the 2009 levels of downforce, do not provide enough grip when cold, leading to large differences in speed between cars already up to tyre temperature and those on out-laps.

After testing in Spain, Schumacher argued that it was a pointless rule anyway, given that all the teams already had the techonology and that it did not represent a large cost cut.

"I think they will have to rethink this approach, because everybody already has tyre blankets," he said. "We don't save anything, we don't do anything other than make it more difficult for everybody [by taking them away]."

Schumacher added that he had really enjoyed using slick tyres again, telling reporters at Barcelona that it had brought a huge element of fun back into driving a Formula 1 car.

"It was obviously interesting because they have lots of grip and they are very different," he said. "It was fun. I quite like to drive these slicks. Although obviously one subject is the tyre blankets that I think they have to think about it whether it is a good decision or not.

"I believe the general decision is a very good one for F1 to change the ratio between aerodynamic performance to mechanical performance. Meaning that you will probably see more close driving between the cars.

"You do have to think of the approach, if you want to use tyre blankets or not, because that can be crucial. We have to decide and think very carefully if this is the right approach.

"But anyway, I think it is a good step for everybody. The drivers like it, the spectators will like it, and I hope you [the media] will too."