The Scuderia’s German driver was next to face the press, hiding a new and very short haircut under his cap!

“Our performance level is the one you saw in Brazil,” he began, when asked if Suzuka could see a Ferrari on the top step of the podium on Sunday. “Brazil was one of our better races this year, even though it is obvious that there and here we cannot fight for the win. I think we can aim for the podium and in a season like this, you learn to be happy with this.” As to whether the team was any closer to improving its performance, Michael said, “we have lost our perfection and our speed and we have still not found the answers. Doing that will be the most important thing before next year, because I want Ferrari to come back very quickly.”


Asked about Fernando Alonso and how he compared as a world champion, Michael reckoned comparisons are not a good thing. “I believe every driver is unique and has his own character,” he said. “As for Fernando, I think he is a worthy champion, who has done a good job all season and understood the importance of team work.” And as this difficult season for the Scuderia approaches the end, what lesson has Schumacher learnt from it: “I guess that would be the fact that racing can be fun even without winning,” he said with a smile.