Schuey plays down pole slip

13 April 2012

Michael Schumacher played down his failure to take pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix.  

Schumacher would have equalled the record for eight successive poles held by the late, great Ayrton Senna, had he finished top of the times at Imola.

But Schumacher could not claim back pole position in the final seconds of qualifying and will start from fourth behind the McLarens of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen, and alongside his brother Ralf who was third.

The Ferrari driver insisted: "I am not bothered about missing out on eight consecutive poles, but I am disappointed for our fans.

"I think I am happier starting on the second row of the grid on the right tyres for tomorrow, than to be on pole with the wrong ones!

"It was clear that the right moment to go for a time was at the end, but I did not make the most of it. I lost four tenths in the last sector on my last lap."

And he admitted: "It was my fault - the car's balance is as neutral as it has to be and it wasn't an issue today.

"The situation is not as bad as it looks and starting from fourth place, everything is still possible."

Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello was more open and conceded that he was disappointed at qualifying down in sixth.

"Obviously, I am not happy with this afternoon's result," said the Brazilian.

"The car was pretty much on the pace, but I ran into traffic on all my runs, never getting a single clear lap.

"I am very disappointed as the day was looking good."

Ferrari technical director Jean Todt admitted it would be strange not to see one of the famous red cars sitting on the front row of the grid for the start of the race.

He explained: "This is the first time since last year's Belgian Grand Prix that there has not been a Ferrari on the front row.

"We had got used to it and so today's result, with one car on the second row and the other on the third, is rather unusual."

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