Schumacher leads Ferrari tributes

Michael Schumacher led the tributes to Ferrari when the Italian team celebrated their sixth consecutive constructors’ championship.

Ferrari threw a lavish garden party at their Maranello headquarters for over 500 members of staff, with Schumacher and team boss Jean Todt topping the guest list.

Schumacher’s win in Hungary at the weekend sealed the constructors’ title and means Ferrari are certain to add the drivers’ crown, although whether that comes courtesy of the German or team-mate Rubens Barrichello has yet to be determined.

Schumacher hailed his all-conquering team, trying out his Italian by saying: “I will say what I feel inside. I really appreciate your work, thank you for everything.”

Todt too paid his own tribute and he said: “If we are the best in the world, it is because we have the best staff in the world.

“We have the best car and the best drivers, a superb organiser in Ross Brawn, a dream engine director like Paolo Martinelli and the world’s best designer in Rory Byrne.

“Then there is our president [Luca di Montezemolo] who I would like to thank for always giving his support, even during the more difficult moments.”

Englishman Ross Brawn added his own thanks, also in Italian.

“When I arrived I had a dream – win some races and maybe a championship,” he said.

“After six constructors’ titles and five drivers’ I think that it has been incredible and that it will never end. Thank you for more than fulfilling my dream.”