Schumacher misses out on a point in Suzuka

Michael Schumacher finished the Japanese Grand Prix in 11th place this afternoon, having started from 23rd on the grid. Team-mate Nico Rosberg was forced to retire on the first lap after being hit by another car.* Michael ran a two-stop prime/option/option strategy, stopping on laps17 and 36* His strategy made full use of his two available new sets of option tyresto gain 12 positions* In the final stint, he caught the cars ahead of him at over a second a lapbut was unable to pass for P10* Nico was eliminated by a collision in turn two when he was hit from behindby Bruno Senna's WilliamsDrivers Car No. Chassis No. Race Result / Fastest Lap Michael Schumacher 7 F1 W03 / 09 P11 1:36.942 Nico Rosberg 8 F1 W03 / 07 DNF

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Michael SchumacherI have mixed feelings after the race here in Japan, because it's obviouslyunfortunate to come so close to scoring points and not manage it, after arace which went better than we expected. In the final laps, I had a nice andinteresting battle with Ricciardo, but in the end I couldn't get past himbecause the Toro Rosso was so quick on the straights. That's why we have tosay we couldn't have got much more out of it today. Now let's see how thingsgo in Korea.Nico RosbergI had a good start to the race but unfortunately it ended fairly quicklytoday. In the first corner Grosjean spun into Webber and that also led to myaccident. I began to brake but Senna crashed into me from behind whichdestroyed my rear tyre and meant that I had to retire. It's a shame as Ifelt very comfortable with my car on the installation lap, and I wasconfident that we could score some decent points. I'll now hope for a betterweekend in Korea.Ross BrawnFrom where he started today, Michael drove a strong race, and it's a shamethat he didn't get some points for his efforts. However starting from 23rdon the grid made that just too much of a challenge, despite a very goodstrategy and encouraging pace from the car in the lower temperatures. Theaccident which caused Nico's retirement was a great shame as the car was ingood shape and he could have scored decent points if he hadn't been takenout. There were some encouraging signs in the race and we will take heartfrom that as we continue to work on improving the car.

Norbert HaugA good performance and a good drive from Michael during the race, which sawus posting good lap times for the first time this weekend - and Michaelsetting the sixth fastest lap time around three-quarters of the way throughthe race. After starting P23 following his ten-place grid penalty, Michaelcame home in P11, chasing the car ahead during the last seven laps. Hecaught him quickly, setting better lap times in the final stint, but in theend he unfortunately could not overtake to score the last available point.Nico was eliminated during the first corner crash through no fault of hisown, so no points today for him or our team. We are now looking forward tothe race next weekend in Korea.


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