04.04.2004 'I thought it would be a much tougher race, but our guys got a great start and then drove a perfect race" POST RACE REACTION FROM FERRARI IN BAHRAIN

Third race of 2004 and third win for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, once again with Michael Schumacher. This is the 63rd one-two for the Scuderia, the seventeenth with Michael and Rubens. It was career win number 73 for Schumacher and for Ferrari it was the 170th victory from 689 races.

Jean Todt: 'Impressive! I have to say I had not expected to witness Ferrari put on such a spectacle today, on such a fantastic circuit.

"Michael was simply majestic and despite the problem which slowed him at his first pit stop, Rubens always held onto second place to help the team record its second one-two of the season. The driver-car-engine-Bridgestone package was excellent. Once again in this championship, our tyre supplier has proved the value of its work, which they always carry out in a methodical and determined fashion. I take this opportunity to thank the Fiat Group for its continued support, which it also gives us through technologically advanced companies like CRF and Magneti Marelli.

"Our strength comes from our group and the spirit that unites it. This result is down to every link in the Ferrari chain where everyone goes about their work with a down to earth approach and total dedication.

"After such a fantastic start to the season, it is time to prepare with our usual thoroughness for the European part of the championship, which gets underway in Imola. This is a special race for us, as it takes place just a few dozen kilometres from Maranello.'

Michael Schumacher: 'It is the dream result at the end of a superb weekend. We looked good on Friday, struggled a bit on Saturday morning and then took the front row and finished one-two.

"It was a tough race as we had to manage the brakes and keep an eye on the tyres. At the first corner, with the tyres and brakes still cold, I locked up my front wheel, but I could not come off the brakes and so I had a lot of vibration. You had to be very careful to stay on line, because the track was very slippery off it, which is why I drove just on or slightly below my limit, always driving smoothly.

"I think the organisers have done a superb job, providing us with a demanding track, excellent organisation and facilities and a warm welcome. The podium ceremony? Usually we smell a bit strange but with this drink, we all seem to smell very nice!'

Rubens Barrichello: 'The car was great, but like in Malaysia, I think the few drops of rain at the start worked against me, as my brakes took time to warm up. Also, just before the start, we had to deal with the problem of oil from the earlier Historic F1 race just under my rear tyres.

"After Michael outbraked me at the first corner, I thought I could fight back when the brakes warmed up. He had a bit less fuel and I tried to stay with him and the gap was still close at the first pit stop. Then I had a problem when I thought I could go, but the car did not move as it was still up on the rear jack. That lost me time and then I had to brake to avoid Trulli in the pit lane.

"The team told me to keep pushing in case there was any penalty, but I certainly had no intention of blocking Jarno. By now the gap was bigger and with a champion like Michael there was nothing I could do. As for the rest of the race, like Michael I was driving a bit conservatively as the track was so slippery off line.'

Ross Brawn: 'I thought it would be a much tougher race, but our guys got a great start and then drove a perfect race. Our strategy proved to be just right. It’s possible that the cloudy skies and the dust on the track worked a bit in favour of our package. The Bridgestone tyres behaved fantastically.

"Today’s result represents a good step forward, but we are still keeping our feet on the ground, because there are still fifteen races to go. I think this attitude is one of our strengths as we are well aware that things can change quickly in Formula 1. It has been a dream start to the season and I have never been so satisfied with the work we have done after three races.'

Michael Schumacher: 1st 1.28.34.875 57 laps chassis 234, Rubens Barrichello: 2nd +1.336 57 laps chassis 236, Temperatures: air 30/31 °C, track 31/33 °C