04.07.2004 "Once again, this was a dream race, the team had to adopt a very aggressive strategy AND the drivers performed at 100% of their ability" Ferrari FRENCH GRAND PRIX race repoRT

Ninth win of the season for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, all with Michael Schumacher. Today's was win number 79 of Michael's career, the seventh at this track. The Scuderia has reached the 176 wins mark from 696 races, 14 of those wins coming in the French Grand Prix.

Jean Todt: 'Once again, this was a dream race, which to describe would involve so many superlatives! The team had to adopt a very aggressive strategy and for 70 laps, the drivers performed at 100% of their ability on a very demanding track.

'Again today, the Bridgestone tyres performed perfectly. Michael has taken his ninth win of the season, while Rubens continues to be the only driver to have scored points in every race.

'We could not have asked for a better start to the second half of the season. The way this weekend has gone shows that the next few races will be very closely contested as the opposition is doing all it can to catch up.

'On a personal note, I can only feel pride for the way the team has worked, demonstrating yet again that it has a great will to win. It is a fantastic group of people!'

Michael Schumacher : 'The strategy and the precision of the team in the pit stops were fantastic today. Before the start, I was not so optimistic, but it became clear that our Bridgestone tyres were very good at the end of their stints, which was not the case with the opposition, so I was able to close the gap before the stops.

'Then, after the second stop, we decided to switch to a four stop strategy. There was not much discussion once the team told me I would not be threatened from behind. I had nothing to lose and it was a case of no risk no fun! I only accepted I could win five laps before my final pit stop when the team told me I had enough of a gap to keep the lead.

'We might have won on a normal three stop, but this would have involved passing cars on the track. Based on last year, I had expected to struggle more here, but this season is proving to be really outstanding. However, the opposition is getting closer which does not surprise us and I expect another tough fight at Silverstone.'

Rubens Barrichello : 'From tenth to third - I am very happy and I had a lot of fun today. The car was very fast and the Bridgestone tyres were fantastic, especially at the end of each stint. I had a great race and the other drivers were very fair on the track. It was a shame that I paid the penalty for my pre-qualifying problem, without which I could have had an even better race. I gave it all I had.

'As for Trulli, although I had better corner speed in Turn 3, it was difficult to follow him through the chicane and then he had better traction. But then, on the final lap, he slowed a bit too much at Turn 13 and so I was able to get alongside at 15. It was risky, but I thought it was worth the risk, even if I was a bit careful not to damage the car as it would have been a shame to get from tenth to fourth and then not finish. So, I was trying 85% and when I saw I had a chance, I added another 20% making it 105% in total!'

Ross Brawn : 'Our drivers had an exceptional race. Before the race we had already planned to go for either three of four stops and when we saw the way things were going, we opted to switch to four pit stops for Michael, taking into consideration the great performance of the Bridgestone tyres.

'I have to give credit to Luca Baldisserri, who came up with the idea this weekend and I just supported him on that. Rubens did a great job to go from tenth to third. He made the most of every opportunity that came his way and his move on Trulli was simply brilliant. A few laps before the end of the race, I told him it would really suit him to be on the podium today and he should give it his best.

'We were able to breathe a sigh of relief when we saw that Michael had built up a big enough advantage over Alonso. When you have a quicker car it is worth trying an aggressive strategy. Otherwise we risked getting stuck behind the Renault driver.'

Michael Schumacher: 1st 70 laps 1.30.18.133 chassis 239, Rubens Barrichello: 3rd 70 laps + 31.622 chassis 240, Temperatures: air 27/31°C, track 38/40°C