| | IMOLA, Italy -- Michael Schumacher's victory at the San Marino Grand Prix prompted scenes of wild
celebration from Ferrari fans and officials as they greeted a hat trick of wins this season.
The red flags of the Ferrari supporters were flying high in celebration as the German maintained his perfect record in 2000,
prompting Schumacher to go back to the track and salute the cheering 100,000 crowd.
|  | | Michael Schumacher drives past a throng of Ferrari faithful Sunday after winning on the team's home track. |
"I said yesterday (Saturday) that I was disappointed I couldn't give the fans' pole position and promised to give them
something today -- I am glad I could do that," said Schumacher who chose an ice cream over champagne as his post-race
refreshment.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo sprinted through cheering crowds to embrace the technical team, punching the air
in delight as he entered the team tent to be greeted with roars and a shower of champagne.
"That was a fantastic race, a fantastic win," an ecstatic Montezemolo told reporters, "I am proud of Michael, he had the
perfect strategy and did a perfect job. It was very tough and (Mika) Hakkinen drove very well but I am very happy with this
win."
Montezemolo, who is considered by fans to be the team's saviour after took over in the early 90's putting an end to
the team's financial troubles, said it was especially sweet to win in front of an Italian crowd.
"I know where we have been and I know what we have done and this was an emotional day for the fans, we have two great
drivers and the car gave a perfect performance," Montezemolo boasted. "It is great to look at the standings tonight. We have shown we can come back against strong opponents."
But the lank haired president warned against any complacency despite an early 21-point lead for Schumacher.
"Let's not forget that we still need to work a lot and we have a lot of
respect for McLaren. We need to keep on competing."
Ferrari's second driver, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, finished fourth, losing third place to McLaren's British driver
David Coulthard in his second pit stop.
But the Brazilian, in his first season with Ferrari, earned encouragement from Montezemolo. "I feel a little sad for Rubens
but he gained three very important points for us in the constructor's championship."
Barrichello was more downbeat. He said: "I am happy for the team but I am equally disappointed with my own performance. The
set-up was not ideal and it was hard work. All weekend I was not on the pace as I was in Australia and Brazil and now I have to
find out why."
But despite Barrichello's disappointment, Ferrari was clearly pleased that in contrast to previous seasons the start
to their campaign has been free of any major technical problems. Morale is clearly high and the relationship between the two
drivers shows no signs of the tension that was evident when Schumacher was partnered by Eddie Irvine last season.
"Today's race has shown it will be a long hard road but that is an incentive to work even harder. The drivers did a
great job, as did the whole team," said sporting director Jean Todt. "Now we can look ahead calmly to the next round."
The next race is the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on April 23. | |
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