F1 Quotes (1)
...and so they spake...
On a given day, a given circumstance, you think you have a limit and you go for this limit and you touch this limit and you think, ok, this is the limit. As soon as you touch this limit, something happens and you realise that you can suddenly go a little bit further. With your mind power, your determination, your instinct, and your experience as well, you can fly very high.
I never think I can hurt myself–not seriously. If you believe it can happen to you, how can you do this job? If you are never over eight-tenths, or whatever, because you are thinking about a shunt, you are not going as quickly as you can. And if you are not doing that, you are not a racing driver. Some guys, in Formul One...well, to me, they are not racing drivers. They drive racing cars, that's all. They are doing half a job. And in that case, I wonder why they do it at all...
When things go right it's down to the car. When they go wrong it's the driver's fault.
Jarno Trulli, around the time of the Italian GP, 2004.
Formula One with V10s was certainly more fun. [But} With a V8, the car is easier to drive, because traction is not so much of a topic.
Nick Heidfeld, Jan. 2006
I was very much in favour of the decision [to change to V8 engines]. In terms of driving, it's like a go-kart now. Before, you had this monster in the back, which was out of control, in a way. Now, it is a lot of fun to drive.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006
It [a V8 powered F1 car] is dead easy to drive. A little girl could drive that car.
Ricardo Zonta's very first impressions on the V8, Sep. 2005.
It [testing the V8 powered Toyota] was very positive. Barcelona is a good track for testing the V8 ... where we do not feel the loss of power.
Ricardo Zonta, Dec. 2005.
Renault looks well prepared, as well as Honda - they also look to be prepared. [...] We are quite happy with the new car. We are pretty reliable and we have small issues, not major. The speed is looking quite promising, so all in all we have come up with a car that will help us fight for the championship again.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006
If Ferrari turn out in races to be as good as they seem in testing, then Michael is definitely the favorite for 2006. [...] At least for the moment, these three teams [Renault, Honda and Ferrari] are in front.
Fernando Alonso, Jan. 2006, following Renault's launch of their R26.
The number of laps Honda does each day is frightening. It looks like the Honda we used to know.
Sir Frank Williams, Jan. 2006
At Honda I think I can win and everything I have seen so far confirms this feeling. [...] The car is good -- better than last year's. In my opinion, I will be able to fight for victories with this car.[...] I am very ambitious and I left Ferrari because I want to finally become champion. .
Rubens Barrichello, Jan. 2006, after his first week testing the Honda 248 F1.
Button is in the same category as Schumacher, [Fernando] Alonso and [Kimi] Räikkönen – absolutely. As a former driver I cannot tell you how difficult it is to drive a car like Jenson does. He has such a fine touch. It's just so hard to make it look as easy as he does. The fact that he hasn't won has no bearing on anything. If I were in his position as a driver I wouldn't worry about it. His time will come. He's that good.
Gil de Ferran, Jan. 2006, around the time the Honda 248 F1 was launched.
It is time Jenson realised he must concentrate on his job. [...] When you start winning grands prix – then it can be party time.
Nigel Mansell, Dec. 2005, to Britain's tabloid The Sun.
People think I'm always out and being a playboy, but if I did nothing but eat, sleep and breathe motor racing, it would be detrimental to my performance.
Jenson Button, Dec. 2005.
The team goes forward when you work well together and I am the kind of guy who likes to make friends and not make enemies. I know Jenson as a friend, but I have never worked with him. He is definitely a good driver, so it will be challenging to work with him and the best man will win!
Rubens Barrichello, Jan. 2006
Working together shouldn't be difficult, we get on pretty well and we know the importance of working as a team. [...] We are not winning races yet so we need to work together as much as possible to keep improving the car and Im sure we will. When were on the circuit it will be different, we will be rivals on the circuit. [...] We are in the same machinery, we will find each other on the circuit many, many times Im sure this year and its down to us out there to not be too silly but to give everything.
Jenson Button, Jan. 2006.
I think, talent for talent, Michael [Schumacher] probably has a bit more; [but I] did quite well to survive, and to always promote the harmony inside of the team. But up to a point ... you lose a little bit of patience and you see that you're getting nowhere, so it was time to leave. [...] If you throw us at the beginning of a team with the same everything, I can probably do very well. I think I can be world champion as much as he [Michael Schumacher] can.
Rubens Barrichello, Jan. 2006.
At the end of the year [2004, when I had the Friday-driver duties], everyone knew who I was, and I believe that I am stronger today than I was then.
Anthony Davidson, Jan. 2006, at his choice to start 2006 as Honda's Friday driver.
I'm really looking forward to starting the 2006 season with the team in its new guise as the Honda Racing F1 Team. [...] My decision to remain with Honda is the right one, for sure. They are committed to F1 for the long-term and absolutely focused on winning the World Championship. [...] Although I would prefer to be in a race seat in 2006, I am in the best possible position to work towards achieving that goal. For now, we have a very intensive testing programme coming up in preparation for what should be an exciting 2006 season.
Anthony Davidson, Jan. 2006.
Barrichello liked a car that understeered. Felipe, though, can deal with a car with a lively rear end - just like Michael.
Marc Gené, Feb. 2006, to Germany's Motorsport Aktuell, predicting that Felipe Massa might manage to give Michael Schumacher a harder time than Eddie Irvine or Rubens Barrichello did.
We discussed it [filling in Barrichello's vacant seat] but then they chose Felipe. It would have been my life's dream, but it's a decision I accept, otherwise I would have left.
Luca Badoer, Jan. 2006.
I would like a few podiums, maybe even a win. But I am just starting, even though [the title] is my goal. But if I am just behind Michael, then that is ok. [...] When I raced go-karts, he [Michael Schumacher] was my hero. I dreamed to one day drive against him. It is incredible that it is happening now.
Felipe Massa, Jan. 2006, at Madonna di Campiglio.
Everyone is talking about 2007 when we are at the start of the 2006 season and that is a bit funny. But I'm calm. When I talk to the people here, Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and so on, they are all talking about 2006.
Felipe Massa, Jan. 2006
Working with Michael [Schumacher], Rubens [Barrichello] and Luca [Badoer] is like going to university. [...] The experience I am acquiring this year is very important, especially as I go to all the races and attend all the meetings. [...] The more time I spend with the team the better it is for me.
Felipe Massa, Aug. 2003.
To get advice from someone like him [Michael Schumacher] is very valuable and he has always been very kind to me.
Felipe Massa, Jan. 2006
With Michael's commitment and talent, he's still the best.
Luca di Montezemolo (Ferrari's president), Dec. 2005.
Sometimes when I look at him [Michael Schumacher], I get a tremendously deep feeling of happiness. I look at him and think, "That's my husband." [...] It's a marvellous feeling.
Corinna Schumacher, cited in Timothy Collings' Team Schumacher book, this excerpt of which was published in the Independent, Dec. 2006.
I think we can only have one target at least and that is to win the championship, in particular after a year like last year where success was so poor to our standards.
Michael Schumacher's expectations for the 2006 Season, Jan. 2006.
Unlike football players, I don't believe that racing drivers need to stop at the end of their thirties.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006.
If I don't have the chance to win races and challenge for the title I don't think I'll want to extend my career.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006, to Germany's Der Spiegel magazine .
He [Michael Schumacher] won't win another world championship, The world - and the world championship - now belongs to the young ones.
Keke Rosberg, Jan. 2006.
I believe in cycles, and you can see a clear downward trend in his [Michael Schumacher's] career.
Alexander Wurz, Jan. 2006.
I am glad that I am no longer part of that [F1] world. [...] The stresses [in F1] only continue to increase.
Mika Häkkinen, Jan. 2006, to Germany's Berliner Zeitung, in reference especially to the constant rule changes in current F1.
My contract doesn't say anything [about being number two]; it says that the team will give me full support. [...] Before each grand prix, the objective is to win it.But my first goal this year is to get my first podium. Then my goal is the victory, and afterwards the world championship comes.
Nothing in my contract says I have to be behind Michael. [...] It's up to me to win races and do the best I can and what drives me is my motivation and determination to win.
The result that you see now, they have started some months ago. We did 90,000 kilometers last year [2005] probably not achieving almost anything; and now, in the last month, we have achieved a lot.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006.
I said that at mid-season I will decide if I want to go on or not go on, and 99 percent I do this with Ferrari if I go on. I should say 99.9.
Michael Schumacher, Jan. 2006.
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