*It's a dream victory says Schumacher *
MICHAEL Schumacher termed his 73rd victory in the inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix as a dream result after spraying non-alcoholic brew made of locally grown fruits. "It's a dream result at the end of a super weekend.
"The biggest problem was staying on line because it was so difficult and slippery just going a little bit wide...It was very tricky," said the six-time world champion after the race.
"We looked good on Friday, struggled a bit on Saturday morning and then took the front row and finished one-two. It was a tough race as we had to manage the brakes and keep an eye on the tyres," added the German who is just seven pole away from equalling Ayrton's Senna's all-time pole record of 65.
"At the first corner, with the tyres and brakes still cold, I locked up my front wheel, but I could not come off the brakes and so I had a lot of vibration.
"You had to be very careful to stay on line, because the track was very slippery off it, which is why I drove just on or slightly below my limit, always driving smoothly.
"I think the organisers have done a superb job, providing us with a demanding track, excellent organisation and facilities and a warm welcome."
And the podium ceremony?
"Usually we smell a bit strange but with this new drink (Warrd), we all seem to smell very nice."
Schumacher's teammate Rubens Barrichello, who finished behind in second like the pair had done at the season opener in Melbourne was also equally thrilled with the result and praised his car.
'The car was great, but like in Malaysia, I think the few drops of rain at the start worked against me, as my brakes took time to warm up," added the Brazilian who is second in the driver's list.
"Also, just before the start, we had to deal with the problem of oil from the earlier 'Historic F1' race just under my rear tyres.
"After Michael outbraked me at the first corner, I thought I could fight back when the brakes warmed up.
"He had a bit less fuel and I tried to stay with him and the gap was still close at the first pit stop. Then I had a problem when I thought I could go, but the car did not move as it was still up on the rear jack.
"That lost me time and then I had to brake to avoid Trulli in the pit lane.
"The team told me not to keep pushing in case there was any penalty, but I certainly had no intention of blocking Jarno," said Barrichello.
In fact the whole Ferrari team was unanimous in heralding yesterday's victory.
"Impressive! I have to say I had not expected to witness Ferrari put on such a spectacle, on such a fantastic circuit, said team boss Jean Todt.
"Michael was simply majestic despite the problem which slowed him at his first pit stop.
"Rubens always held onto second place to help the team record its second one-two of the season," added Todt who kept flying kisses to the Ferrari pair on the podium.
"The driver-car-engine-Bridgestone package was excellent. Once again in this championship, our tyre supplier has proved the value of its work, which they always carry out in a methodical and determined fashion.
"I take this opportunity to thank the Fiat Group for its continued support, which it also gives us through technologically advanced companies like CRF and Magneti Marelli.
"Our strength comes from our group and the spirit that unites it. This result is down to every link in the Ferrari chain where everyone goes about their work with a down to earth approach and total dedication.
"After such a fantastic start to the season, it is time to prepare with our usual thoroughness for the European part of the championship, which gets underway in Imola."
Ralf Schumacher, on the other hand, tried to detect a glimmer of hope after Williams failed to prevent a Ferrari procession.
"All in all, I'm not too disappointed because I have seen from the data that I was running close to Ferrari's pace, whenever I had free track ahead," said the German after finishing seventh.
Williams's Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who started alongside Ralf on the second row of the grid, ran third for much of the race but suffered gearbox problems in the closing laps and limped home a distant 13th.
"He lost one gear after another and did the final lap in fourth gear," said BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen.
"In race trim, apparently, Ferrari still are in a class of their own and we just have to push for our development and try to repeat what we did last year," he added.
Williams finished last season as runners-up to Ferrari after struggling in the early races with a car that became progressively more competitive.
"Today's result is disappointing for us, in particular due to the gearbox failure on Juan's car," said chief operations engineer Sam Michael.
"Up until this problem occurred, which was 10 laps before the end of the race, it looked like he would finish third."
