F1: Schumacher happy to avoid 'flying' cars
Michael Schumacher admitted he thought he was going to get caught up in the first corner pile-up before claiming victory in an incident-packed Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this morning.
The 33-year-old began his quest for a record-equalling fifth drivers’ crown with a third win in succession at Albert Park after eight cars went out at the first corner following a collision between his brother Ralf and team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
‘‘I did not see everything only what happened in front with Ralf’s collision with Rubens,’’ said Schumacher, who won in last year’s Ferrari. ‘‘I don’t know if he had a problem.
‘‘Then it was just cars flying everywhere. I was afraid to turn for the first corner so I decided to go straight on. It was probably a good decision otherwise I would have been hit.
‘‘This is a good start for me personally, but not good for my team-mate Rubens. This is a surprising result really as we came here with the old car. It was not what was expected.’’
Schumacher said he enjoyed the battle with the Williams of Juan Pablo Montoya with each overtaking the other before the 33-year-old triumphed by almost 19 seconds to extend his all-time career record to 54 wins.
‘‘It was quite an interesting battle with Juan,’’ said Schumacher. ‘‘We had a straight fight with more equal cars.’’
Colombian Montoya said: ‘‘It was a good battle, I managed to get by him at the restart and for a couple of laps I thought I would be competitive but as soon as his tyres were hot it was a matter of time.
‘‘He drove around the outside like I was parked there and just drove into the distance afterwards.’’
Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who claimed his maiden podium in his first race for McLaren, said: ‘‘I didn’t think I would get on the podium as I think I was last after the start so to get third is great.’’
