Schumi: “I can still fight for the win”

Michael Schumacher set the fastest time in Monaco in qualifying, but due to his collision with Bruno Senna at the Spanish GP, he has to serve five positions less on the grid: his fourth pole position in Monaco will thus become a race that starts from sixth placed on the grid.

But the 43-year-old German is convinced that his pace and speed are enough to put him in a position to win in Monte Carlo and equal Ayrton Senna's record of six victories. “First of all, I am more than thrilled and pleased to have achieved a pole here in Monaco”, Schumacher said after qualifying. “Monaco is the track of the year for all of us, it has a very prestigious reputation, and to get pole position here after what I've experienced in the last two and a half years is simply fabulous. I said in the press conference that despite being sixth, victory is possible and this is what I intend to aim for.".

Schumacher achieved four poles in Monaco with absolute F1 champions such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark and Alain Prost. Senna dominates from five pole positions. “Obviously when I saw my time on the dashboard I thought it couldn't be too bad, but you never know if someone from behind could have beaten it. Then on the monitor at a certain point I saw the number one. I started to believe it and then I got confirmation on the radio, it's a really good pole. Monaco is so special, it's super fantastic if you can get a pole here.", he added, arguing with those who considered him finished and at risk of dismissal, as emerged from discontent within the Stuttgart house this week. “I leave to others what this pole means or doesn't mean. I am obviously excited and very happy and it confirms my abilities. Except that to get the results everything must work well at the same time. I have to say a big thank you to the whole team, especially some of the guys who work closely with me: we had a special meeting earlier this week and this result brought us together even more. I am grateful for the trust that Mercedes and the team had in me, they supported me. Tomorrow I will give my best“, concluded the German.

Lorena Bianchi