28.05.2004 'I was surprised when I watched the incident on TV as I had not expected Montoya to be there. But that incident is history now' Michael Schumacher REFLECTS on THE Monaco 'INCIDENT'

Michael Schumacher joined his brother Ralf for an FIA press conference this afternoon at the Nurburgring and, as they both came to grief in the Monaco tunnel last Sunday, this was the first item on the agenda.

'Usually, the tunnel is fine to take flat out for us, but it was very dirty off-line,' said Michael by way of explaining the number of incidents in the tunnel.

He also reiterated his feelings about his collision with Montoya: 'I was leading the field behind the Safety Car and it is up to the guys behind to watch the guy in front.

'I was surprised when I watched the incident on TV as I had not expected Montoya to be there. But that incident is history now.'

Asked if he accepted the Monaco Stewards' decision that the collision was a 'racing incident,' the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver replied: 'I accept it, but I am not sure if I agree 100% with it. I think the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) will discuss several issues arising from the last race.'

Rumours have been growing in the media that double world champion Mika Hakkinen could return to the sport next season, after retiring at the end of 2001. 'I think it would be difficult to come back after a couple of years completely away from F1,' commented Michael. 'But he has a lot of natural talent and a lot of people would be very happy to see him and I would be one of them.'

Meanwhile, speaking to the press at the Ferrari media motorhome in the Nurburgring paddock, Rubens Barrichello began with a quick look back to the Monaco Grand Prix.

'Last weekend was certainly spectacular and everything that could happen did happen in the race,' said the Brazilian. 'I never really understood what my own problem was with the F2004, so all we can say is that in these circumstances, I was really very lucky to finish on the podium.'

Moving onto this weekend, Barrichello is pleased to be racing again so soon after the last grand prix. 'I am happy to be here and personally I enjoy this back to back idea, as I would rather be at a race weekend than at a test session,' he confessed.

'Of course we have the same car as we had at the last race and I expect us to be competitive on this track and have no worries for the coming weekend. Our competitors have been strong all year long and we are constantly reviewing our performance. As usual, tyres will play an important role here and it's fair to say that the cold conditions might favour us. But we should not forget that in Malaysia for example, where it was very hot, the Bridgestones also performed very well.'

Asked what sort of car is needed to be competitive at the German track, Barrichello replied, 'For the Nurburgring, a good aerodynamic balance is very important and we will get our first chance to check that tomorrow morning, but finding the right chassis set-up is usually not too difficult at this track. I think that this weekend I can be a front runner again. It is clear from Monaco that this season looks to be quite open again and on present form I would pick BAR as our closest rivals at the moment.'

Finally, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver was quizzed for his views on rumours that former champions Mika Hakkinen and Jacques Villeneuve might be returning to the cockpit next season. 'I'm not interested in all these rumours and try to avoid reading the newspapers,' he said. 'You can fill your head with all these stories. The next thing you know I will be asked if Emerson Fittipaldi is making a comeback! It is all just gossip for the media at this stage.'