In the cold light of day following the race, it was easier to appreciate Michael Schumacher's performance in the Grand Prix of Japan. His seventh place assured that the Scuderia would take third spot in the Constructors' championship. Immediately after the race the positive aspects of the weekend were obscured by the below par performance: "We have to see things as they really are", declared Michael. "Our year has been anything other than good. We have never been competitive and never really been in a position to compete for the title, one that has been ours in recent times. In the end we will end the year with a third place and I am still in third place in the Drivers' standings. It has never been this bad. If we recognise that this is Ferrari's worst result for ten years then the criticism can be seen relatively. However, this should not be misinterpreted: we have never been in with a chance this year and we want to be competitive again next year but we shouldn't hide from reality. This shows the class of our team. Even when things don't go well we have to bring out the best. This I why I am not too happy to be in third in the Constructors' championship."

Michael left Suzuka yesterday after the race but he stayed in Japan. He will fly to Shanghai and in the late afternoon will have two appointments in his role as the Scuderia's representative. On Thursday there will be three sponsor events before preparations for the race get underway.

"A podium at the end of the season would be wonderful but we have to realise that the chances of obtaining that are not too high. We will not make any modifications before Japan and so I don't think things will go any differently. Our performance here was nothing too special and we cannot hope to make a forward step. But who knows? We have to wait until Friday even if we have already had some indication of our form from Shanghai. In any case, we will be trying our best to end the season in the best of ways".