F1 Quotes (5)
...and so they spake...
I really do not believe the FIA can win the appeal on the grounds they have said. [..] If they do then we really have to start to re-look at the definition of what a racing car is–its suspension, everything. Renault's technical director Pat Symonds, to Autosport magazine (August, 2006)
This is such an amazing moment for me and one that I have worked my whole motor racing career for. I always had faith that we would achieve our objective together and this victory is testimony to that belief. [...] To win such a tough and challenging race from 14th place on the grid is incredible for me and all the more important because I know I won on merit today. No one can dispute that today the Honda Racing F1 Team got everything right.
Jenson Button, on his maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
I have definitely made the right choice to stay with Honda.
Jenson Button, after his maiden win, at the Hungarian GP, in reference to the 'Buttongate soap,' the final outcome of which was Button's buying out of his Williams contract (August, 2006)
The first win took a little while to do but now we have reached this point I think we can go forward. We want to win again and again and I am completely sure he can be world champion. (stress added)
Honda's Nick Fry, after Jenson Button's maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
I just want to enjoy this moment and not think about trying to become World Champion.
Jenson Button, after his maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
It will be great rocking up in Turkey knowing I won the last grand prix - I've never had that feeling before.
Jenson Button, after his maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
I believe that Honda still has some more work to do before we can regard the team as having consistently winning equipment. [...] Jenson's win was very much a wild-card success in unusual circumstances and it's my feeling that when it comes to the next race at Istanbul it will be back to situation normal, with the team reverting to its role as a Championship pretender rather than an established front runner.
Fellow English F1 Champion, Damon Hill, reflecting on Jenson Button's maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
Jenson can go on to be World Champion. He has the talent to do that.
Fellow British 2-time F1 Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, reflecting on Jenson Button's maiden win, at the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
We totally disagree with it [the grid demotion penalty that the FIA Stewards gave Michael Schumacher]. Such a decision creates a very serious precedent, ruling out the possibility of driver error. Michael was on his final timed lap and he was trying to put his first place beyond doubt, as could be seen from the fact that his first split time was the best and could have seen him do another very good lap. With no real evidence, the stewards have assumed he is guilty.
Jean Todt, Ferrari's Team Principal, after the Monaco GP qualifying and after being notified of Michael Schumacher's penalty (May, 2006)
I was amazed at how tough the Stewards' decision was. I can understand that, from the outside, things might seem a bit strange, but if you don't have all the information you cannot give an appropriate judgement. The facts have to be examined in an open manner. I am sorry that Fernando's lap was ruined and it was definitely not my intention to do that. At the time, I did not know where his car was because I had been told nothing over the radio. I have been in Formula 1 for sixteen years and I have got used to living with this sort of situation.
Michael Schumacher, right after the Monaco GP (May, 2006)
It doesn't really stand up when they had all the telemetry, all the television images, listened to Michael and whatever he had to say... I don't think you could say they had no evidence. [...] It took them [the Stewards] several hours, they went into great detail, it's how it should be done.
Max Mosley, FIA's president, at the Monaco GP weekend, replying partly to Jean Todt's and Michael Schumacher's words (both cited right above), partly to both Ferrari's and Michael Schumacher's reiterated claims that the multi-champion German driver had been dealt an unfair penalty, after qualifying (May, 2006)
Difficult circumstances only make Ferrari stronger.
Ross Brawn, Ferrari's Technical Director, right after the Monaco GP (May, 2006)
Basically, you cannot win anything in the races, but you can lose a lot and this time Kimi lost a lot and I didnt win too much, but in seven races, four wins and three seconds is a perfect start -- and if I keep doing that in the next seven then probably the championship will look very good.
Fernando Alonso, at the Monaco GP Winners' press conference (May, 2006)
I didn't say that [Alonso acted deliberately]. <<shaking his head, repeatedly>> You are saying this. I simply said 'watch the pictures' and you may understand why I have been doing what I have been doing, and you may then judge yourself, whether this penalty, in relation to the other penalties, is the right one or not.
Michael Schumacher–British TV interview, after the Hungarian GP qualifying session (August, 2006)–in answer to the questions: Was it an unfair move what he [Alonso] did? Did he slow down on purpose?
See the interview on this clip.
I have nothing to tell [about the incident motivating M.Schumacher's penalty]. The Stewards, they have all the information <<grin>> and they made their decisions, and of course <<grin>> I didn't make [do] anything because I get [got] no penalty [this time] and he [M.Schumacher] got the penalty.
Fernando Alonso–British TV interview, after the Hungarian GP qualifying session (August, 2006)–in answer to the question: Michael seemed to suggest that you were involved maybe in break-testing him, or deliberately making him pass you under the red flag. Tell us about that incident.
See the interview on this clip.
I suppose so [that both penalties were justified]. I mean, the first penalty that Alonso got, is very justified. He is a World Champion and should set the example, not do what he did. [Overtaking] under the yellow flag, that's a regulation. So I suppose that is justified. Then, thank God [that] Michael [Schumacher] sort of could see that it [Alonso's penalties] would probably spoil the race, doing that, so he [M.Schumacher] helped us in justify this [Alonso's penalties], by overtaking under the red flag, and he [M.Schumacher] got [a similar penalty of] two seconds.
Bernie Ecclestone–British TV interview, after the Hungarian GP qualifying session (August, 2006)–when questioned about whether or not Alonso's and M.Schumacher's penalties, that weekend, had been justified.
See the interview on this clip.
– curiously, Ecclestone does not reply to the second part of the question, regarding his view on M.Schumacher's penalty, whether or not he thought the penalty was justified!... Instead of replying directly, as he did towards the part of the question on Alonso, Ecclestone is thankful that the German helped 'them' (FOM? FIA?) justify the situation regarding Alonso and ensure that the race would not lose in interest or excitment, by incurring, himself, in a penalty situation that then enabled leveling out both title contenders' grid positions. Does Bernie Ecclestone consider M.Schumacher's penalty justified?...merely convenient?...it is really very unclear, so one may wonder, given the above reply. (See interview clip and make up your mind, if you can.)
– Note the communication skills of some people (especially those experienced in dealing with the media), who may totally fail to reply to a question, and yet succeed in making this go unoticed.
Now the gap to Alonso is ten points and we will go into the summer break with this in mind. [...] These are ten points that we have to make up in the next five races and I am certain that we can do it. [...] I can say once more that the Championship is still wide open.
Michael Schumacher, following the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)
We said before Germany that the balance of power often swings back and forth in August, and we saw a perfect example of it last weekend in Hungary. [...] We want to make sure we keep the advantage in Istanbul, and every member of the Renault team is pushing very hard to make it happen. [...] I think this is the most competitive Renault has been all season. [...] We can be very confident as we head to Turkey.
Fernando Alonso, following the Hungarian GP (August, 2006)–see, too, related notes on the German GP page
Last week, the team informed us of its decision to review its options for next year, including assessing Robert Kubica in a race environment at Hungary without offering me any assurance about my race seat beyond Hungary. [...] This is really disappointing as I was looking forward to working with BMW on longer terms.
Jacques Villeneuve, August 2006, after BMW's announcement that Robert Kubica is replacing the Canadian Champion for the remaining of the 2006 Season–see Hungarian GP (in special) and Turkish GP entries on this issue
Jacques [Villeneuve] has performed well for us this year, scoring the team's first grand prix points in Malaysia. [...] He has made a significant contribution to developing the newly formed BMW Sauber F1 Team and the performance of the car. [...] However, after Jacques' accident in the Hockenheim race, the team decided to review its options for next year [...] Our decision to look towards evaluating our driver line-up has naturally impacted Jacques' position for the remainder of this season. We fully understand that it is difficult for Jacques to maintain his natural level of commitment in circumstances of uncertainty. We respect his position and wish him well for the future.
Mario Theissen (BMW Sauber's director), August 2006, after BMW's announcement that Robert Kubica is replacing the Canadian Champion for the remaining of the 2006 Season–see Hungarian GP (in special) and Turkish GP entries on this issue
It is a sense of relief to be leaving Williams. I believe this had to happen.
Mark Webber, August 2006, after his switch to Red Bull was announced.
I am going to a team that is financially in much better shape. [...] The car will be competitive, with a strong engine and backed by a solid budget. [...] Red Bull wants to win and whether that will happen next year could be a tall order, to be consistent points scorers is what we want. [...] We could be in the top five next year, which would still be quite a hard challenge.
Mark Webber, August 2006, after his switch to Red Bull was announced, the statement evidencing a noticeable toning down of ambitions – see Mark Webber's statement in January 2006
Formula One careers are short and it's important to make the most of every year. [...] I'm not one for jumping ships, I'd have finished my career at Williams but in the end you've got to look for something better for the future.
Mark Webber, August 2006, after his switch to Red Bull was announced
We made Klien an offer to race in Champ Car and there is also an alternative to race in the DTM series. He has two weeks to think about it. [...] The door to Formula 1 is still open for Klien but only after he has shown what he can do in Champ Car.
Helmut Marko (Red Bull's motorsport director) to the Salzburger Nachrichten, August 2006, after Mark Webber was announced to be taking over Christian Klien's seat in 2007–curiously, Webber was Klien's senior team-mate in the Red Bull purchased Jaguar team, now returning to the team in Klien's place, to partner team-leader David Coulthard.
Yet more quote pages to be added! Stay tuned for the next eBook updates! Texts, images and music in this eBook & on MieNet ©1976-2006–MieNet,
unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.
This eBook can be freely shared. Just please use the original zip file.
