He arrives in Canada dressed as a cowboy: boots and belt, after a 10-day vacation spent in Texas. But Michael Schumacher has no intention of being a show-off, of acting like a braggart as some guys often do.
"We can win here. I'm more optimistic than I was last year. This remains to be seen, though, to be verified. Each race is a separate story. You saw what happened in Monte Carlo. In the race we were the fastest, but the first place was taken by Coulthard. Luckily on the Canadian track, pole position doesn't matter too much, because you can overtake. It's not one of my favourite tracks, but I've always done pretty well around here".
Indeed, the German champion has an enviable track record at the Notre Dame Island circuit. Six poles, four wins, seven times on the podium out of ten races.
"Numbers, however, leave time to be found. Like when they want to compare me to Fangio. Different eras and cars. In the days of the Argentine star, perhaps I would not have even driven those dangerous cars. I do not consider myself the best driver of all time. Maybe there are others, in other categories, stronger than me. The only certain thing is that I am fascinated by competition. I want to win, although on some occasions I have had more fun finishing second or third. In any case, I've had enough: second last year, second two weeks ago in the Monaco Grand Prix. Maybe it's better to change second place with a first".
In 2000, Michael Schumacher won thanks to his teammate, Rubens Barrichello. The German's car had some problems, and in the finale the Brazilian, who was recovering hundreds of metres per lap, gave up attacking him.
"I don't think an episode like that or even more like what happened in Austria can have a negative effect on my career. And I also want to say that whatever Eia's decision will be on June 26 regarding the A1-ring race, it will not affect the way I race. Among other things, you will see that the extra points earned will be useful".
Could we see a return of McLaren to the top, after the success in Monte Carlo? The Anglo-German team also made it known that they have a highly modified car ready for the next race at the Nurburgring, a B version of the MP4/17.
"I am convinced that our biggest antagonists here will still be Montoya and my brother Ralf with the Williams. However, I also have the impression that we will do better: last season we made the wrong tyre choice for the race. A mistake we should not repeat also because Bridgestone has made great progress. This is a stop-and-go track, meaning braking and acceleration. The tyres are very important. Since you can overtake, delaying the pit stop as much as possible will be decisive. In theory, whoever stays on the track the longest without refuelling will have a big advantage".
On Friday, June 7, 2002, the cards are shuffled. The supremacy shown by Ferrari in the first races of the season, already cracked in qualifying in Monte Carlo, is called into question. On the day that, with free practice, opens the weekend of the Canadian Grand Prix, David Coulthard, winner in the Principality, reappears at the top. Behind the McLaren driver, the usual Juan Pablo Montoya precedes Michael Schumacher. Behind, in order, Kimi Raikkonen, his brother Ralf, Mika Salo with a Toyota in continuous progress and the BAR of Olivier Panis, renewed in aerodynamics. Only eighth is Rubens Barrichello, approached by local idol Jacques Villeneuve.
The record set last year by Michael Schumacher with a time of 1'15"782 has already fallen. The Scotsman lowered it to 1'15"407 (set at an average of 208.198 km/h), but it must also be said that the track was shortened by about sixty metres by, among other things, setting back the hairpin that leads back in the direction of the pits to lengthen the escape route. Safety reasons. In any case, speeds have increased quite a bit, with Felipe Massa driving the Sauber-Petronas up to 331 km/h. However, on these results there are many doubts and questions. The impression is that Ferrari did not push, so much so that Michael set his best lap at the end of a long series of laps, then with plenty of fuel in the tank and tyres already worn out. David Coulthard, on the other hand, laps in the finale with new tyres, and so do the two Williams drivers; the F2002, therefore, should still have some good room for improvement. The rivals, however, improve and become more threatening. Many changes have already been secluded on the cars, and more will come in the near term. As Jean Todt has always stated, Formula 1 moves fast. And the certainties of a race can also vanish in a few days. In terms of tyres, it seems that there are no major differences between Bridgestones and Michelins, but it will be necessary to see what the teams' choices will be on the two types of compounds available, wanting to prioritise qualifying or the race. Since this is a track on which overtaking is possible, in all likelihood they will opt for a safety solution to be competitive on Sunday where 70 laps are scheduled. Michael Schumacher says:
"I am not overly concerned because we are still in the fine-tuning stage. What is certain is that our rivals are not sleeping".
The German also hits the wall at the exit of the chicane leading onto the pit straight. Only a swipe with the rim of the right rear wheel, but the car swerves dangerously and Michael Schumacher manages to control it with difficulty and, certainly, also shuddering. Rubens Barrichello in the second hour of practice, suffers too many brake problems, so he is still not satisfied with the balance of the car. One thing is certain, however: Saturday's qualifying will be a spectacle, with many drivers capable of fighting for pole position. But even starting from the second row on the Notre Dame Island circuit will not be a drama. There are two strong braking sections along the track where differences can be made. But not only that: the engine will also be needed. Williams engineers had anticipated this: we have a special qualifying engine with some extra horsepower, and we will try to exploit it. Juan Pablo Montoya did so in an exemplary manner, and will start on pole position in the Canadian Grand Prix, having already succeeded two weeks ago in Monte Carlo and at the end of March in Brazil. This makes six and the Colombian, thanks to his skill and the aggressiveness he shows on track, proposes himself as the anti-Schumacher. A direct confrontation even on the track of the island of Notre Dame, since the German with his Ferrari conquers the second position on the grid, ahead of his teammate, Rubens Barrichello, and his little brother, Ralf Schumacher. Gaps contained in 0.465 seconds between the first four, further away the others led by Kimi Raikkonen, with Giancarlo Fisichella in an excellent sixth place, overtaking Nick Heidfeld with the Sauber-Petronas and the second McLaren-Mercedes, that of David Coulthard. The challenge with the stopwatch, then, will be repeated in the race, on a track where overtaking is possible. And it is perhaps for this reason, in view of the fact that strategies will be of some importance, that Michael Schumacher has made a prudent tyre choice, fitting his car with the harder tyres, which will allow him to have more consistency in performance and possibly to delay his pit stops as much as possible in order to gain some advantage. Meanwhile, Juan Pablo Montoya says:
"After great work we have recovered the gap that Ferrari inflicted on us at the beginning of the season. In qualifying we can fight, in the race I don't know, it will also depend on the tyres".
Similar statement from Michael Schumacher, who remains confident for the race.
"We also had a special engine for the race. Now it's a matter of putting everything together in the setup of the car and getting a good start. Then we will see. It will be a tough race, but certainly hard-fought, which is what the fans are asking for. We're pretty much evenly matched, so the tyre choice will be key".
In the game of pairs, there is no missing Rubens Barrichello, who does not exclude himself from a possible victory.
"That's what I'm here for, the F2002 is fine, I had some problems but we are all very close".
In fact, Rubens Barrichello in the morning's free practice had gone off the track going almost head-on into a small wall. Luckily, he had been able to brake at the last moment, and the impact resulted in only some damage to the car's nose and front suspension.
"Then I also spun during qualifying. A pity because I was very fast and it was my best lap".
However, it seems that the Bridgestone tyres are competitive, at least as much as Michelins. The results of Giancarlo Fisichella and Nick Heidfeld say so. Jarno Trulli, on the other hand, fails to make the most of his Renault's potential: first because of a mistake at the exit of a chicane, when he slams the right rear wheel against a protection, then in the finale when it starts to rain. Two were the big disappointments of the day: Ralf Schumacher only fourth, detached sharply from Juan Pablo Montoya and David Coulthard, who plummeted to eighth while his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, did not go beyond a decent fifth place. The German driver is furious, probably also with Williams, because at the end of qualifying he does not speak. There was something wrong with his car or at any rate the solutions adopted did not work as those chosen by the Colombian. He had to use the spare Williams because of a problem with the engine's pneumatic valves, and that unnerved him to no end. David Coulthard, on the other hand, claims that he was just unlucky and that anyway here the McLaren, even with a more powerful engine, is not at its best. The Scot, however, does not despair:
"Many times I started on the third or fourth row and then ended up on the podium. Let's not forget that technical problems can affect the race here. From the thrusters to the brakes, everything is stressed to the max and whoever makes a mistake pays".
A start all to see then. The spectacle is assured. On Sunday, June 9, 2002, at the start of the Canadian Grand Prix, Juan Pablo Montoya maintains the first position, while Rubens Barrichello, who started like the Colombian with a two-stop strategy, overtakes Michael Schumacher and moves up to second place. Behind the leaders comes Kimi Räikkönen, followed by Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard, Nick Heidfeld, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. At the end of the first lap Rubens Barrichello overtakes Juan Pablo Montoya, taking the lead of the race. The first two begin to pull away from Michael Schumacher, who has to make only one pit stop, but on lap nine on Jacques Villeneuve's BAR the engine breaks down on the straight in front of the pits: the stewards are unable to remove the Canadian's car, with the transmission locked, and on lap 14 the race direction decides to call the Safety Car, nullifying the gap. Juan Pablo Montoya takes advantage of the race neutralisation to refuel early, re-entering the track in fifth position. The Safety Car steps aside on lap 16. Two laps later, Kimi Räikkönen and Ralf Schumacher, battling each other, cut the chicane before the finish line, and Juan Pablo Montoya takes advantage of the opportunity to pass both at the first corner, returning in third place. Ferrari, on the other hand, chooses to leave Rubens Barrichello on the track: the Brazilian driver scores the fastest lap several times in the race, but fails to build up a sufficient lead over his pursuers, returning to the track in sixth position after his first stop, made on lap 26.
At the front of the race Michael Schumacher gradually distances Juan Pablo Montoya, but when he makes his only fuel stop, on lap 38, he re-enters the race behind his rival. On lap 43, Ralf Schumacher returns to the pits: during his pit stop there is a problem with the refuelling equipment that forces the German driver to repeat the operation on the following lap. The last driver to make the first stop is David Coulthard, after 50 laps. The Scot returns to the track in fourth position, ahead of his teammate, Kimi Raikkonen, and behind Juan Pablo Montoya, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. In an attempt to maintain the first position, the Colombian driver pushes hard, even setting the fastest lap, but after his second stop, made on lap 51, he finds himself in third position. The Colombian driver recovers one position when Rubens Barrichello also pits for the second time (returning to the track behind David Coulthard), but is forced to retire during lap 57 due to an engine failure. During the final laps David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello fight hard for second place, with the Scot defending himself against the Brazilian driver's pressing attacks: on lap 61, aided by Takuma Sato's lapping, Rubens Barrichello flanks his rival on the final straight, but both arrive long under braking, cutting the chicane, and David Coulthard maintains his position. With 70 laps completed, Michael Schumacher wins the Canadian Grand Prix, claiming triumph number 150 for Scuderia Ferrari. The German driver precedes David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello at the finish line. Kimi Räikkönen, who had not scored points since the Australian Grand Prix, crosses the finish line in fourth place, ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. Ralf Schumacher, author of a spin while trying to overtake the Italian Renault driver, finishes seventh, just outside the points zone. Scuderia Ferrari returns to victory, after the Monte Carlo interlude, triumph number 150 in the history of the Maranello team, from 1950 to the present. And at the same time Michael Schumacher, a perfect interpreter of the Canadian Grand Prix that for the fifth time sees him cross the finish line first, reaches his 40th achievement with Ferrari. An extraordinary result, that of the Maranello team, completed by the third place of Rubens Barrichello, who in the finale tried to overtake David Coulthard, who, however, got the second step of the podium. Great race also for Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli, fifth and sixth respectively, preceded by Kimi Raikkonen.
For the Italian Jordan driver, the track named after Gilles Villeneuve is confirmed as a land of conquest: for the fifth time he finishes among the top six. The first that Ferrari, with extreme violence - metaphorically -, knocks out the Williams-Bmw. Juan Pablo Montoya tried with all his might to oppose his rival's supremacy, fought like a lion even making a double overtake, but in the end the Williams-Bmw engine could not keep the pace imposed by the F2002. Out of the top six was Ralf Schumacher, also betrayed by the team because, during a pit stop, they failed to put fuel in the tank. On the other hand, McLaren-Mercedes grew, with David Coulthard just one second behind Michael Schumacher. Mercedes brought to Montreal a new set of engines that proved more competitive: if not in qualifying, at least in the race. But it must also be said that Michael Schumacher in the last 12 laps, since Juan Pablo Montoya's exit from the scene, slowed down to take no risks and above all to manage the tyres that were at the limit. The result shows that the trend taken in Monte Carlo is the one we are going to see in the next races as well. Williams-Bmw always stronger in qualifying, Ferrari very fast and consistent in the race. A race in which there was no lack of spectacle. Very good performance from Rubens Barrichello, who, also preceding his teammate at the start - with a planned tactic of two stops, and therefore with a lighter car - overtook Juan Pablo Montoya in a big way on the first lap, after the Colombian had maintained his pole position, cutting across the track from left to right (a correct manoeuvre, because he was in front, but very similar to those he had often reproached Michael Schumacher for). In any case, Rubens immediately attacked and passed him, taking the lead. The Brazilian remained in the lead without any problems, trying to increase his advantage over the Colombian. It brought him up to 4.9 seconds, when the unexpected happened, that is, something predictable at this track but happened at the wrong time. Jacques Villeneuve (loudly booed by the crowd of his fans) was the first to retire and he did so leaving his BAR-Honda in a dangerous situation. At another circuit they would have picked up the car, taking it out of the way with a crane.
Here, however, they prefer to get a tow truck onto the track: for the race director, it was inevitable to call the Safety Car. The whole group slowed down and compacted, Rubens Barrichello's hard work in the beginning was useless. Instead, Juan Pablo Montoya took advantage for a quick pit stop where he took on some fuel and replaced the rear tyres. The manoeuvre cost him three positions, but without losing precious seconds, and Juan Pablo, taking advantage of an overtaking move on Takuma Sato's Jordan, was able to pass Kimi Raikkonen and Ralf Schumacher, who were battling each other. In truth, there was the impression that the German (on a one-stop strategy) was ordered by the pits to let his teammate pass, and in the action he also put the McLaren Finn in trouble. Michael Schumacher meanwhile moved into first place, building up a twenty-second margin over Juan Pablo Montoya in just a few laps. Not enough to stay ahead at the time of his only pit stop, on lap 37. The Colombian again took the lead and tried to attack to secure space for another pit stop. Michael Schumacher, however, reacted very well and by the Williams driver's second pit stop he was back in the lead with a 7- to 8-second advantage. Juan Pablo tried to catch up, his run-up coming to a halt on lap 56 when the engine, steaming, gave out hard. From that moment Michael Schumacher ran smoothly, set on his way to his sixth win of the season. And also toward his fifth world title. Under the podium, Ferrari fans rediscovered their desire to cheer Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. They are still perceived with a bit of a cold shoulder and a few dissenters in a booing mood, but the disputed episode at the Austrian Grand Prix is gradually forgotten even if the German is not particularly beloved by Canadians because of his disputes with Jacques Villeneuve. However, it should be recognized, if there was still a need, that the points won after the race held on the A1-Ring are always valuable. If Michael Schumacher has increased his lead in the standings, and Scuderia Ferrari as well, it is mainly because the rivals are not up to the task. But seeing the progress made by Williams-Bmw and McLaren-Mercedes, it won't always be a cakewalk. At the end of the race, Michael Schumacher says:
"I have a very good margin over the pursuers but there are still nine races to go and 90 points to earn. It was not an easy race for me. With a one-stop strategy I found myself having to manage the tyre wear in the last laps. On this track all it would have taken was one tiny mistake to ruin everything. And someone would have laughed, too. I had to keep my concentration to the maximum so as not to make mistakes".
Many, however, argue that the challenge for the title is already over. The World Champion reflects for a few moments:
"Perhaps you are right. I don't agree, though. A lot can happen in Formula 1, if you think about it. I don't want to be the one that says it, you can get there on your own".
Michael is evidently referring to 1999, when he lost the title following his accident at Silverstone, and the many unforeseen events that can happen. Among other things, Michael Schumacher himself, during the morning warm-up in the reserve single-seater, had broken an engine. What if it had happened to him in the race?
"Given the way things went, we can have some recriminations. Rubens was not lucky, there was also the 1-2, with Barrichello second. The Safety Car came in at the least opportune time for him. Under normal conditions, without the slowdown, he would have been at least ahead of Coulthard. In any case, the two different strategies studied by our engineers were both good, and this shows the strength of the team. It is a satisfaction to have won victory number 150 for Ferrari, but the credit is not only mine: there are many people working behind the scenes, in the factory, who deserve to be on the podium with us. When the right day comes, we will have a big party for everyone. This relationship of ours is really special, extraordinary. We have shared moments of wonderful joy that make me so happy".
If Michael Schumacher keeps his tones calm, trying to hide his enormous satisfaction, Rubens Barrichello is polemical, towards David Coulthard and the race direction.
"When I tried to pass David at the chicane before the pits, he pulled the braking knowing that he could slip through without damage. If there had been a barrier, things would have gone quite differently, I would have passed and he would not. I took my foot off the accelerator and went straight too. But that's not how you do it. Coulthard claims that he did not benefit from the manoeuvre but that is not true. It's true that he didn't gain positions, but he avoided being overtaken and took second place".
On the decision to send the Safety Car to the track because Jacques Villeneuve's car was stopped in a dangerous place, Rubens Barrichello adds:
"It was not absolutely necessary. The obstacle could be seen well, it was marked and they could even remove it without outside intervention. The fact is that they are not organised, or they prefer to do that to put the whole course of the race back in play. I didn't like it, they ruined my strategy. Just in those laps I should have pushed to the maximum to gain the margin for my two stops. However, I am always happy because Ferrari won and my third place is not to be thrown away".
In the past, as long as he has been in Formula 1, Juan Pablo Montoya has always distinguished himself for his calmness and his availability. Even in the worst moments (as at Interlagos, in 2001, when he was rear-ended by Heinz-Harald Frentzen while leading the Brazilian Grand Prix) the Colombian had always appeared serene, even a bit disenchanted. Not now: Juan Pablo loses his patience. The Colombian storms back to the pits, slams on his gloves and helmet, changes and leaves immediately. To reporters chasing him with cameras, cameras and notebooks, he responds with offensive, unrepeatable gestures and words. Before running away, however, Juan Pablo Montoya entrusts a couple of thoughts to close friends:
"You can't go on like this. This time I was really convinced I was going to win. So much effort for nothing. It's starting to get tough".
No less troubled is Ralf Schumacher, who was slowed by problems that emerged during the pit stop, when fuel failed to enter the tank and the German was forced to stop a second time to refuel. But not only that.
"And as if that wasn't enough, I also broke the engine right after crossing the finish line for an unnecessary seventh place".
Great happiness, however, for Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. The Jordan driver does not hide his joy:
"I think I had one of my best races. The traction control system did not work at the start and I lost two positions. So I had to fight hard to recover. It was a good step forward".
These days Giancarlo Fisichella is the subject of much discussion. There is talk of contact with Jaguar to replace Eddie Irvine or Pedro De La Rosa. It is true that the Ford team is not going through a happy moment, that there are many problems, but it is still an official team with the means to progress.
Jarno Trulli comes out physically tired from the race, although he is one of those who train the most and always maintains an ideal condition.
"This time it was tough. I am happy to have won a point for the team after a difficult weekend. To be faster I had taken a lot of aerodynamic support off my car, so I was going strong, but I was on the edge. Also because in the second part of the race I had some problems under braking. At the end then I had to resist the attacks of Ralf Schumacher, and I assure you he was pushing hard. I am happy especially because this is the second time in a row that I have finished in the top six. And this means, I hope, that I have broken the streak of bad luck that has haunted me for too long".
And meanwhile, Panis with BAR-Honda also broke a losing streak: he crossed the finish line for the first time since the start of the season. Eighth, but that is already an achievement.
"Trapattoni? I can't give him advice. If anything, he can give it to me. We have taken a step forward, however, we are not there yet. Our competitors also want to win championships. Schumacher is very well placed in the standings, among the constructors, on the other hand, we are only 32 points ahead, with nine races still to go and therefore 144 points to be awarded. The road is still long".
These were the words released by Jean Todt, at the end of the Canadian Grand Prix. But even Ferrari president Luca Montezemolo, out of realism and superstition, tries to contain excesses of enthusiasm. Certainly, after Ferrari's victory number 150, celebrated in Canada, the president virtually crowns Michael Schumacher, calling him a key piece in Scuderia Ferrari's history.
"He alone has won 40 of our triumphs. He is definitely the greatest champion Scuderia Ferrari has ever had".
Credit to the German, and to the whole team. Starting with Jean Todt himself. The French manager no longer has fingernails, replaced by band-aids after being gnawed off one by one. In between successes, the annoyance of a summons to Paris looms, where the FIA, on Wednesday, June 26, 2002, will demand an explanation of the disputed Austrian Grand Prix finish. On the British side, above all, there is a push for heavy punishment for the Maranello team. Some are even talking about points taken away or disqualifications. Jean, however, does not flinch:
"I'm not afraid, I don't want to talk about it now, it's useless, we'll see when the time comes. Of course, I know someone would be pleased if we had problems".
The head of Sports Management tomes in turn on victory number 150.
"I think this is a good chapter in history. I had only met Enzo Ferrari twice. Once to meet him, the second time to ask him to write a preface for a book of mine on Peugeot. He accepted and it is one of my best memories. Perhaps it was written that I would try to reciprocate him with my activity for the team. In any case, I repeat, we all dedicate this success to lawyer Agnelli, who has always been close to us, especially in difficult times. We hope he will be able to visit us again soon".
Next chapter is the European Grand Prix in Germany, at the Nurburgring. Could it be a favourable race?
"The only sure thing is that we will prepare well. Given the track record, we shouldn't look bad. We will still work on the tyres. They proved decisive in Canada, but we must recognize that they did not make a difference, although they allowed us to implement a different strategy for Schumacher and Barrichello. It is a challenge, that of the tyres, which holds surprises every time".
Is further development of the F2002 planned?
"Of course, research never stops. A 360-degree effort: engine, electronics, aerodynamics and tyres. I am happy with the result I got, but I also noticed that Williams was going very fast. The fastest lap in the race was done by them, who only lacked reliability. We have to get busy. This week of testing will be important, there is a lot to prove".
That is exactly why, to do three days of testing at Mugello, Michael Schumacher was called. The sixth victory of the season closed a first cycle of the championship, now the second begins, and Ferrari intends to launch the decisive attack, without waiting for Williams-Bmw and McLaren-Mercedes to grow again. David Coulthard at the finish line just one second behind is a relative concern. Michael Schumacher says:
"Winning by one lap or one tenth is the same. The important thing is to finish first. I slowed down at the end to not take too many risks with tyres and brakes. It would, probably, have been harder if Montoya had stayed in the race. But that's the way racing is, he was forced to retire".
The chemistry between the two Ferrari drivers was perfect, too bad the safety car damaged Rubens Barrichello's ambitions.
"Otherwise Rubens might as well have won or placed second. I let him pass at the start because his car was lighter. He was unlucky, while I was helped by slowing down for a few laps of the race. You also need that to get to success".
At the Nurburgring, in front of his own fans, Michael Schumacher can claim his 60th victory. A quick flight home to Switzerland to say goodbye to his children Gina Maria and Mick, then Michael Schumacher will be back on the track, at Mugello.
"There is work to be done, in the last two races our margin over our rivals has narrowed".
Uncontestable? With 70 points in the standings, 43 over his brother, Ralf Schumacher, and Juan Pablo Montoya, 44 over David Coulthard, the German still has doubts...
"There is no need to wonder when I can win the title. You have to try to achieve mathematical certainty. But there are still nine races and 90 points available. It is better to avoid relaxing".
Do you think Williams and McLaren are closer than they were at the beginning of the season?
"It is evident. In the last two races we have not been able to take pole position anymore. We remain the strongest in the race, however, that is not necessarily always the case. It will depend on the progress we can make and the others. And of course, as usual, on the tyres. We still have the best overall package, however, the opponents are not sleeping. In the upcoming races some teams will have major developments on their cars. So there is work to be done. If we have reached this point, it is also because we have an extraordinary test team. Badoer and Burti are invaluable".