Michael also saw further cause for satisfaction. Many had been impressed at the sense of calm optimism shown by the German during this difficult period. 'I believe in this team. We are strong and united and I saw myself just how hard the team worked, during the races, tests and back in the factory at Maranello. Everyone gave their all. Our sense of unity never wavered and I really happy to pay them all back in some way. Monza was their win. It was a special victory which answered all those who claimed we were in crisis.'

It was evident to all on Sunday in the paddock that Schumacher was both happy and relieved after the events of the day. 'Crossing the finishing line was probably one of the greatest moments of my career and then being on the podium was fabulous. It felt as though I was right in the middle of the fans. Then when I sprayed the crowd with champagne I could feel their enthusiasm as if they were touching me with it!'

The sense of happiness and relief also owes something to what the race result means for the championship. 'This win was very important for the championship,' said Michael. 'We had a very thorough and detailed briefing after the race and we went through every little detail to be as well prepared as possible for the next Grand Prix. Now we are going testing to improve still further. We need to evaluate every possible variable in the race for the title, because the fight will still be a tough one. Yesterday, we took the first step and now we have to think about the next ones. In Indianapolis and Suzuka, our team will definitely be equally motivated and back to its usual strengths. We like to fight and now we will concentrate on the next race.' 

Fighting spirit from Jean Todt

There was a certain amount of obvious relief in the words of Ferrari’s Jean Todt after the team had reversed its downwards trend with first and third in Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix. But a possible appeal against teams using Michelin’s tyres and the difficulty of being a lone if legendary team were also discussed. But after victory at Monza, Todt says his team is in fighting spirit. 

'After the last Grand Prix I was honestly very concerned that it was getting more and more difficult to win. We knew that we had a championship which was going to be completed in three Grands Prix and we knew that if we were not in a winning situation at this one, like we were in 2000, it would have made the thing much more difficult. Now it makes it still possible to fight for the next two Grands Prix'.

Winner Michael Schumacher had said it was one of the best wins in his career but Todt was more cautious. 'The best one is one when it’s very much needed, so probably because it was needed so much, when it comes it’s great. But it’s not our style to react to easy comments, conclusions. We always say we know what we are, we know who we are, we know where we stand and so the only answer is to answer with facts and so of course it’s very rewarding, pleasing when you are able to answer with facts like we have been able to do today'.

Was there one thing that pleased Todt more than anything else about this victory? 'I am definitely very happy for the team, very happy, because the pressure was so big on each one of them, each of us, and you know we are so focused'.

'As I’ve said before, the only reason why we are still doing this business is because we love Ferrari and we love winning. Because otherwise there would not be any motivation. So I am very happy for the team but you know it’s not just words or talk. I’m very happy for Michael, he’s such a great guy – 50 wins for Ferrari, I don’t think anybody will be able to compare that for many many years. Rubens did a great job. Bridgestone reacted in a fantastic way, they are fantastic people, they have had such a hard time these last few weeks and they are such nice people, such humble people that it requires a lot of respect'.

However, having won at Monza, it is important for Ferrari to maintain that level of competitivity over the next two races, and some say Monza is an unusual race. 'Honestly, time will tell, time will tell. I’m confident we will get very good tyres for the last two races,' said Todt of Bridgestone’s effort, going on to rate the tyre company’s potential performance and the team’s chances. 'We have been struggling very much in hot temperatures, we know that, and we know that it’s something which has to stop and they know that as well, because what we think, they think as well. So even if today’s temperatures were reasonable, I’m convinced that the last two Grands Prix should not be like that and as I said, they have understood a lot, so even if what they have understood you cannot immediately apply 100 percent, they will be able to apply a part of it and then give some positive results, hopefully.'

Todt went on to confirm that the team could still appeal against the Michelin runners who have been reprimanded over the use of front tyres that were allegedly too wide. 'It’s a possibility which is open to us. It’s article 179 bis and we know we can use that,' said Todt. 'We can use it until the 30th of November' Asked if it was a serious threat, Todt went on to say 'some can use some tyres, some can use some articles: it’s just a question of we know we can use it'.

However, he admitted that 'We prefer to win on the track. It’s something which can be applied if we decide to apply, that’s all. You know it’s not a decision we take easily. Sometimes you have hard decisions to take in one sense or another, so after having thought very carefully at the highest level of our company then we will have to decide which way we want to go.'

Todt also defended his team’s position in relation to its English-based rivals. 'You know, it’s so easy to put Ferrari as the bad boy, but Ferrari is completely isolated. We are in a little village in provincial Italy. We don’t have all those groups of people, it’s just a completely different thing. It’s a fight. We need to see how we feel, what is the best for us to try to be the leading team.'

'I think maybe the red of Ferrari is putting more pressure, more tension. Why is Ferrari such a legendary team compared to all the others? If you ask me, I don’t know. But there probably are some reasons. Ferrari is special, so Ferrari is probably more violent, more emotional and then definitely you have some teams who are not happy, which I can understand. But I’m sorry about this. Maybe if it was ten Italian teams and one British team only, I think it will be the other side. So I think you just need to analyse the situation.'

'But definitely we are one team, alone, for years making the chassis, engine with a lot of emotion, but that’s it. Then we have to defend ourselves. Whether we defend ourselves well or badly - I’m sure that we could improve our way of defending ourselves sometimes, but still, if you take the whole thing, we are the most stable team in Formula One. There is no controversy inside the team, quite a lot outside but we are not affected by that: fantastic people, fantastic achievements. I think if you take the whole thing it’s quite pleasing, and you can’t achieve being loved, being successful, being wealthy, being in good health… that’s in the books.'