Schumacher says crash will not change his thinking
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-11 08:53

Ferrari's Michael Schumacher has mocked a suggestion that he might want to reconsider his Formula One future after a high-speed crash in testing last week.

Asked at the Italian Grand Prix on Thursday why he carried on risking his life after winning seven world championships and 82 races, the German raised a hand to his mouth and yawned theatrically.

Pressed on the issue, he added: "First of all, I don't think it could have cost me my life.

"And second, I still love what I am doing, and I keep repeating it and it is difficult for you to understand. For me it is very easy to understand."

Schumacher's Monza testing crash, at around 300 kph, was caused by a rear tyre suddenly deflating. He made light of the incident when he returned to the circuit for what is likely to be a triumphant homecoming for champions Ferrari on Sunday.

"I don't think it is important," he said when asked how serious the accident was in comparison to past crashes.

"Any crash is too much and you don't want it but it's part of the game.

"It's not about being tough or not. First of all it is about doing everything possible to make your survival cell in a way as safe and as comfortable as possible and I spend a lot of effort doing this, together with the team."

Barrichello target

Schumacher clinched the world title at the last race in Belgium, hot on the heels of Ferrari securing a sixth constructors' championship in a row in Hungary last month, and is chasing his 13th win in 15 races on Sunday.

There is little left for the German to achieve but he said a priority now was to ensure that Brazilian team mate Rubens Barrichello finished as overall runner-up.

"We have had a pretty much perfect year so far and to really make it perfect would be to have Rubens in the second position in the drivers' championship as well because that's the thing left to achieve," he said.

"I don't know if I can help him," he added. "I mean, first of all he is responsible for himself. But if there was a moment I could do it, certainly I would."

Schumacher, inevitably from someone who has been so dominant, refused to accept that the season had been a bore.

"I have had a lot of people coming to me and saying we love what you have been doing.

"I certainly can't say I found it boring. We had a great race in Hockenheim, we have had a great race in Spa. We've had less interesting races such as in Hungary but Formula One has always been like this."

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