Ferrari fans enjoy success on home soil
Timothy Collings
Ferrari and their fervent fans turned the main straight at Monza into a sea of scarlet celebrations on Sunday as the famous Italian team revelled in another one-two victory in the Italian Grand Prix.
As their triumphant drivers Rubens Barrichello, who collected his third win of the year, and world champion Michael Schumacher sprayed champagne from Monza's new podium above them, the tifosi waved flags and banners back in response.
For the drivers and all the team staff, it was the culmination of a perfect weekend's work on another day of statistical triumphs and landmarks at the end of the 'European season' on Ferrari's home turf.
"This was a great triumph," said the team's sporting director Jean Todt, the man credited as the architect of the modern Ferrari team that has enjoyed such great success in the last two years.
"We knew it would be a difficult race, but our package proved to be fantastic."
The partying on the circuit was a throwback to the old days for regular Monza visitors and the creation of the new podium, that hangs across the main straight, gave the fans an opportunity to move closer to their heroes.
"I really enjoyed the podium ceremony," said Schumacher, who finished second but still increased his points tally as champion to a record 128, eclipsing his own previous record.
"I could look all the way down the straight and it was just full of tifosi and that was an amazing feeling.
"I have plenty of experience of being on the podium, but I have never seen anything like this. It was a perfect day for all of us.
"I am aware of the record for the most points in one season, but it does not mean that much - the record was mine already."
PASSION
To most Ferrari fans inside the circuit, the entire afternoon was all about one thing -- the annual opportunity to give vent to a passion that has been part of Italy's sporting heritage for decades.
The team's symbol of a prancing horse was hoisted aloft in all quarters.
"Our drivers and our team put in an incredible performance and the team worked in a fantastic way to bring home a result that is all the greater because it was achieved in front of our fans and so many of the staff of the Ferrari-Maserati Group," said Todt.
"We have shown we are an exceptional team that still works with extraordinary motivation."
Apart from Schumacher's points haul, the race also brought further statistical successes.
It was Ferrari's seventh one-two of the year and their 13th win of the season.
It extended their unbroken sequence of podium appearances to 51, dating back to the European Grand Prix at the Nurbuergring in 1999. It was also Schumacher's 17th successive podium appearance.
"It is fantastic to get this great result in our home race," said Barrichello. "Everyone is here, the whole team and staff and the test drivers and everyone. It is a great way to pay them back for their hard work.
