Post-race press conference - San Marino GP - Pt.2.

Drivers: Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Jenson Button (BAR), Juan Pablo Montoya (Williams)

Questions from the floor:

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi - La Gazzetta dello Sport):

Juan Pablo, yesterday you told us you felt that you were in the race. Was it just a lie? And was the car damaged, was there anything worse in the car after you went on the grass?

Juan Pablo Montoya:
You know, if you damage something it was four corners into the race. The car behaved okay. He hit me right on the side, but I don't think he did too much damage. From the times everybody was doing yesterday, and our times, I thought we were in pretty good pace.

Q: (Jonathan Noble - Autosport):
For Michael and Juan, when you are running side-by-side and fighting for position round the corner, can you just clarify what you consider acceptable behaviour and what is unacceptable?

JPM:
He said he didn't see me. He thought I wasn't there so I don't know, forgot to look maybe.

Michael Schumacher:
I saw his attack on the outside at braking, but then going out of the corner for me...first of all, I did not see him, but second, outside around the corner you usually lose ground, so I didn't expect him to be there.

Q: (Ian Parkes - PA News):
Juan Pablo, in the earlier press conference, you said you didn't think Michael would get away with what he did. What do you think will happen and what do you expect will happen?

JPM:
You look at Indy, for example, when I just touched with Rubens. I was on the inside and I went onto the grass to try and avoid the accident and we still touched and I got a drive through and that killed my championship. If it wasn't for that, I could have been world champion last year. [If Michael] does that and he gets away with it, I think it would be a bit unfair really. I think the rules have got to be for everybody. It doesn't matter if he drives for Ferrari, if he is called Michael Schumacher, or anybody.

Q: (Richard Williams - The Guardian):
Jenson, could you see any of the spat going on behind you and were you surprised by the 2.7secs you had at the end of the first lap?

Jenson Button:
I was a little bit surprised at the difference in time, but I didn't have time to look behind and see what was going on really. All I could see was the red car going backwards, which was fantastic and that was my aim.

Q: (Aidan Lewis - AP):
Can I just have a comment from Michael and the other drivers, if possible, on the fact that this might be the last grand prix at Imola?

MS:
From my point of view, it would be a shame if it really is, but it wouldn't be the first time we have seen changes happen on grands prix coming back into the programme. There is still hope and, as long as there is hope, I cross my fingers.

JB:
I think it would be sad to lose this circuit. It is a great circuit to drive, I think there is a lot of history in it and also the crowds are fantastic here, so it would be sad to see it go.

JPM:
I'm the same really.

Q: (Ian Parkes - PA News):
Michael, you've described this result as a dream one for you. Have Juan Pablo's comments soured this is any way?

MS:
Not for me.

Q: (Ian Parkes - PA News):
To add to that, your first victory here was an unfortunate one with what happened with Ayrton, does this sixth one mean anything to you on the anniversary of his death?

MS:
Honestly, we come here every year and we think about what happened to Roland [Ratzenberger] and Ayrton. Not because it is ten years... For me, it doesn't make it any more special or different.

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi - La Gazzetta dello Sport):
Jenson, what do you feel is the weakness point to close the gap with Ferrari? And do you believe the rain of last night could have helped Ferrari?

JB:
I just think they are a long way in front of anyone at the moment. The rain might have made a small difference, but if it did it is not a huge difference. Michael was 27secs in front of me before he started slowing down. It is a huge gap considering I was leading for the first nine laps of the race. If I knew the reasons why they were so fast, we would work on it, but it is very difficult to understand why we are quite a long way off them.

Q: (Tony Dodgins - Tony Dodgins and Associates):
Juan, sorry to harp on about the incident, but I think you said in the unilaterals you'd gone for the inside but, when we pick up the TV pictures, you seem to be driving round the outside...

JPM:
That was afterwards. After the first three corners, he had a bad exit and I went for the inside.

Q.
Was it Tosa?

JPM:
No, before Tosa. Turns one, two, three. I don't know. I'm amazed, I actually got in front of him when we were braking...[while watching television replays] Oh no, he didn't see me there.... No chance. You've got to be either blind or stupid not to see me. But you know, it is racing.

Q: (Tony Dodgins - Tony Dodgins and Associates):
At Tosa, though, are you not trying to be a bit optimistic to drive around the outside?

JPM:
I've done it before and it has got quite a lot of grip. I managed to get above my position there and, when I was driving out of the corner, he just pushed me wide. I've done it before at the Nurburgring, passing him on the outside. You know, he had very little grip on the first few corners. I understand he has got to defend his position, but how far do you go to defend your position - that's the question. Or how far are you allowed to do so.

Q: (Ian Parkes - PA News):
Jenson, you are watching the pictures there on TV. Can we just gain a neutral perspective on this?

JB:
I missed it. I didn't see that part.... I think I was looking away at that point....

Q: (Ian Parkes - PA News):
Michael, just a follow-up question to yourself. Who do you see as your main rival in the championship? You've got a healthy 16-point lead, are you looking at Jenson perhaps to be your biggest rival this season now?

MS:
He is fully into it, absolutely.

Q: (Andrea Cremonesi - La Gazzetta dello Sport):
Juan Pablo, have you seen Ralf?

JPM:
I did close the door, you know. I don't have anything against what I did, but it was because of the first incident. I wasn't going to lose ten positions. I don't have a problem with that, it is fine by me.

Q: (Matthias Brunner - Motorsport Aktuell):
Jenson, bearing in mind how well testing went in Barcelona, do you think you could have a go at Ferrari in Barcelona?

JB:
It's difficult. In testing, you never know what fuel loads people are running and what testing they are doing, so it's a difficult one. We have been quick at Barcelona over one lap and the long runs are reasonable as well, but looking at Ferrari's pace in every race this year they seem to be very good in race trim. We might be closer, but to beat them is a big step forward.

Q: (Olaf Bachmann - Koelner Stadt Anzeiger):
Juan, can you explain your gesture on the last lap to Michael?

JPM:
I just said 'what happened, what were you thinking'. That's all.

MS:
I thought you were congratulating me.

JPM:
I never do, actually.