27.05.2004 ‘I am always pleased to return to Nurburgring,’ Michael Schumacher & Rubens Barrichello look forward to the European Grand Prix

‘I am always pleased to return to Nurburgring, but this time is even more special!’

A few days before the GP of Europe Michael Schumacher cannot hide his enthusiasm: ‘Only a week since the Monaco race, at Nurburgring I have the chance to transform the disappointment of Monte Carlo into a successful event and this really motivates me. I hope to have the support of the fans who have always been behind me!’

Racing in Germany is always something to be cherished for the six-time world champion. ‘It is the first race in Germany this year and it is my home race. The circuit is close to my home town of Kerpen and I feel even more motivated than usual. Racing here always gives me a good feeling and I don’t feel any pressure, as some might think.’

The technical characteristics of the track are also considered: ‘The track shouldn’t hold any surprises. After the recent work done on it, it should be smoother and should favour a balanced set up and offer good grip. We should be able to get the most out of our cars and, in all honesty, I can’t wait to take on the track in this fantastic car. After a pointless Monaco, my objective can only be to challenge for victory and this is all I have in mind. I am sure that we are in with a good chance and I look forward to an exciting weekend of racing.’

After celebrating his birthday last Sunday by finishing third in the Monaco Grand Prix, Rubens Barrichello has just got a couple of days to relax with his family before joining the rest of the F1 family at the Nurburgring for this Sunday’s European Grand Prix.

Looking back at the weekend, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver saw some similarities with the 2003 race in the Principality. 'In many ways Monaco this year was very similar to last for our team, although the circumstances were different,' he said. 'We were not as quick in qualifying as we had hoped for and we struggled a bit in a race where our competitors did a bit better than us. I had big difficulties throughout the race, so I was lucky in the end.

'Currently the team is still investigating why I had these difficulties. I think it may have had something to do with the fact that at one point I was going relatively slowly to save fuel and the tyre pressure dropped. My race then became just a question of going round and round and keeping the car on the track. I have not yet had a chance to see the race on TV, but I’m sure it was very exciting for the spectators. I know I came very close to the guard rail when Fisichella had his accident. It was like being in a plane and flying into the clouds.' Not only did the Monaco GP provide plenty of excitement, it also added a new name to the list of F1 winners: Jarno Trulli. 'It's nice to see some new faces on the podium, even though of course, you are working for yourself,' reckons Rubens. 'But a new winner brings new emotions to the podium and to the fans.'

After what is inevitably regarded as a disappointing race for the Scuderia, Barrichello believes it has done nothing to weaken the team's resolve. 'The team's aim is still the same in that we try and win every race from now on,' maintains the Brazilian. 'If we stop working things can change quite quickly and I think the general feeling in the team now is that everyone is happy that the next race is only a few days away rather than two weeks. It means we don’t have to wait long to try and win all over again.'

As for the European GP, the Ferrari man reckons the German track will provide another difficult challenge. 'At the Nurburgring we will do our best on a circuit where we had a tough time last year,' recalls Barrichello. 'Tyres will play a very important role and the lap times between the drivers are usually very close at this track, so it should be another interesting weekend. We have a chance to be more competitive than in Monaco and I will be interested to see what the weather will be like up in the mountains as we are going to be there earlier than usual in the year.'