And Schumacher certainly did not indulge in any false modesty when asked how good he felt he was. Asked if he had ever driven a perfect lap, the German again silenced his questioner with another sharp reply. I drove a perfect race, not just a perfect lap. He admitted he was looking forward to having the number one on the car that is traditionally awarded to the defending world champion driver. I am just born for this, I am a natural.
Drug is a bad word.
I don't like to use it. Schumacher also moved to answer the two main criticisms of him in Italy - that he refuses to speak Italian and that he does not show emotion. All the Ferrari staff made their speeches in Italian - French sporting director Jean Todt, Briton technical supremo Ross Brawn, Schumacher and his Brazilian teammate, Rubens Barrichello. But Schumacher made a very short contribution and was noticeably less fluent - even than Brawn, who struggled but nonetheless got through a lengthy, more technical speech. But at least he tried.