Schumacher dodges questions of last Monaco GP

Written by Associated Press

By PAUL LOGOTHETISAP Auto Racing Writer

MONACO − Michael Schumacher is still being dogged by questions about the last time he competed at the Monaco Grand Prix four years ago.

Schumacher showed no regret Wednesday over his actions in 2006 when he parked his car near the finish line at the close of qualifying to deny Fernando Alonso a chance of placing above him. Schumacher was relegated to start the race from last for his actions.

“It doesn't change if we go back into it because we're here in 2010,'' Schumacher said from the tiny Mediterranean principality. “Let's look forward and not backward.''

Schumacher was asked about the incident a handful of times, but called the subject “boring'' and blamed the media for stoking the story.

“I had great fun in the race, going from last and going through the field to finish fifth,'' the Mercedes driver said. “I had good fun.''

Alonso, meanwhile, said he'd forgiven the seven-time F1 champion as he went on to claim his second title that season.

“There's nothing really to think about. It's a small incident. That's all,'' the Ferrari driver said. “This is happening every year on a few occasions. This happens in motor racing.''

Schumacher can match Ayrton Senna's record in Monaco of six victories, but the German wouldn't speculate on how he may react to matching that feat.

“Emotional you are, if it is natural. I'm not a movie star or someone who plays emotional, so I don't know what will be going through my mind when I achieve whatever,'' Schumacher said. “Can we achieve a win here or not this weekend? That's what we have to see. After Barcelona, there's probably no point to talk about winning because we were quite a margin behind.''

Schumacher had his best performance since his return from retirement with a fourth-place finish at the Spanish GP, but Mercedes still trails Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari performance-wise.

Schumacher was critical of the teams' decision to let 24 cars crowd the narrow street circuit and fight out Saturday's qualifying.

“We had suggested, as drivers, to split the first qualifying into two groups. But then some team bosses felt that they'd rather have the chaos and may take the profit from (that) then to have a reasonable, clean qualifying,'' Schumacher said. “Let's see who has to suffer or not.''

Schumacher was also bemused at how Monaco, with its tight turns and with little room for passing, has been on the F1 calendar since 1950 but authorities still campaign for better safety at circuits.

“It's ironic because we always root for safety and trying to have the tracks as safe as possible, but then we come here and race here,'' Schumacher said. “And I have to say, it's fun.''