March
The Prost team is sold to British businessman Charles Nickerson; Michael Schumacher wins the Australian Grand Prix; Mark Webber finishes fifth in his first F1 race; Toyota score a point on their debut; Jean Alesi tests for McLaren; Ralf Schumacher wins the Malaysian GP; FIA introduce one engine rule for 2004; Ferrari debut F2002 in Brazil; Michael Schumacher wins the Brazilian GP.
"It's wrong for Formula One, it's wrong for the creditors, it's wrong for the teams. Formula One has been through enough, there's a lot of sponsors that were here last year, they're not here this year, we needed a period of stability, common sense and unity."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss, on the news that Tom Walkinshaw was aiming to buy the Prost team.
"It's not last year's car, it's the last race of last year's car. We'll see. I don't think it's as quick as it looks. I hope, actually. More like hope."
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver, on the Ferrari F2001.
"What we did learn yet again, unfortunately, was that Ferrari are in a class of their own."
Frank Williams - Williams boss, after practice for the Australian GP.
"The team have been going wrong all the way, from the beginning and have not really got anything sorted out yet. We were slow, we were caught out by the weather, we were not ready."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"It was a silly accident but the decision not to stop the race by the FIA is absolutely absurd."
Gary Anderson - Jordan's head of engineering, on the start accident in Australia.
"We already achieved our entire job for this year in one race. We wanted two points and top 10 in the Constructors' Championship. And we can only improve from here. Now the challenge is to pick up a few more points throughout the season."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss, after Mark Webber finished fifth in Australia.
"It's beginner's luck for sure. But the point is there and it is extremely welcome."
Mika Salo - Toyota driver, after finishing sixth in Melbourne.
"It will be a new team which competes in the 2002 Formula One Championship."
Press release from Phoenix team.
"He has bought nothing in Formula One. All he has bought is some show-off cars. He can forget it. He is wasting his time thinking about racing in Malaysia."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss, on the Phoenix team.
"Phoenix will not be allowed to compete in the Championship at any time this season and will therefore not be on the grid in Malaysia."
The FIA, on the Phoenix affair.
"Not a boring season, but for a Schumacher World Champion."
Gerhard Berger - BMW motorsport boss, when asked if Formula One fans should prepare for a boring season.
"I can beat Schumacher. I want to beat him, his brother does, Rubens does, everybody does. It's crucial for the World Championship to close the gap, because if Michael wins again it will open the gap and then it will be tough."
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver.
"If things do not get better this year I will move on to somewhere better. But of course I will have to look at what opportunities there are at the time."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"The deal is done. Everything depends on whether Mika is interested in returning. He himself barely knows."
Keke Rosberg - Mika Hakkinen's manager.
"I have got to perform and if I don't perform I don't want to stay. I don't want to drive at the back of the field and make a few million dollars. I believe whatever will be will be and I will turn my hand to something else."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"It will be a difficult year."
Jean Todt - Ferrari boss.
"The Championship is already only an outside chance because I have got to win the next two races to get myself back into the normal hunt."
David Coulthard - McLaren driver.
"The public will probably not think it is radical, but there is more new technology on the car compared to any other. Of the cars I have done in the last five years, there is a higher content of new ideas by a long, long way."
Rory Byrne - Ferrari chief designer, on the F2002.
"I would hope we could be favourites but at the moment it doesn't look like it."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"I thought he was a fair guy to race with but he's definitely not. I gave him room in the first two corners, it's a bit disappointing."
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver, on Michael Schumacher at the Brazilian GP.
"I must say that according to comments from Ferrari's side, we were expecting a really big step forward and it has been a step forward but not as big as we were expecting."
Ralf Schumacher - Williams driver, on the Ferrari F2002.
"It was a pretty impressive performance really by Michael but at least they didn't have the level of dominance that was anticipated from the new car. I think it is beatable."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss, on the F2002.
April
Kirch files for insolvency; Yoong fails to qualify in San Marino, Michael Schumacher leads Ferrari 1-2 at Imola; Jordan undergo major reshuffle; Eghbal Hamidy leaves Jordan; Minardi withdraw from the Spanish Grand Prix; Michael Schumacher wins the Spanish Grand Prix; Rob Walker dies; Russian Grand Prix deal delayed.
"It is very difficult now to say what will happen in 2003 because Williams have the option on him. When we arrive in Silverstone then maybe we will decide something."
Flavio Briatore - Renault boss, on Jenson Button.
"If I say Ralf's my main challenger, everyone will say it's because he's my brother. But if I say he's not, I would lie."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"We can salvage the season maybe, but we won't be competitive."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"We have a firm contract with Honda running through next year. Some of you have been saying that Honda is about to run away from us, but I don't know that to be the case."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss.
"There is nothing I can do to make this car generate a good, fast lap. It's got the potential, yes, but for some reason we cannot get it handle properly. There's very little else to add right now."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"It's so silly. He's the one who talks so much at briefings - blah, blah, blah - and then he holds me up for three quarters of a lap. I just found it a bit silly. He's getting old, anyway."
Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari driver, on Eddie Irvine.
"I might be older than Rubens but I'll never be as ugly. He is just being over-emotional as usual. I had already let Ralf by and I looked in the mirror and saw Rubens coming and was quite prepared to do the same for him."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver, on Rubens Barrichello.
"To talk about the Championship already being in the bag, which some people are doing, is totally premature."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"I hate being uncompetitive. Nobody likes it. It is frustrating and it's very tiring. You have to push people to work harder, to make sure it gets better in the long term. But the long term is getting shorter and shorter. I'll see what happens in the next couple of months. I won't stick with it forever. There comes a point when enough is enough."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"I think we will have to get meaner... in many aspects of how we go about it. Inevitably things will change. I will make sure that the team becomes much tighter, more committed, harder. If it means having to make redundancies I will make those redundancies because nobody can ever be as great as the team."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss.
"These changes will generate a more efficient structure at a time when our focus is on the performance and reliability of our cars."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss, after announcing a reduction of 15 percent of their staff.
"I think they (Ferrari) had the upper hand but not by much - three or four tenths difference. But I still think we have got a great chance of fighting back."
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver.
"I don't see myself leaving. I would love to win with this team because I was there from the beginning. I'm not here to pull the team down, I'm here to do the best I can. There's no point in working against each other."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"People are saying Michael is making it boring but we are seeing here a genius at work. He is a treasure and a star. It's no different to what Tiger Woods is doing. You have one outstanding star who is controlling the sport...that cannot be the blame of the participant. You are talking about a different class of person."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss, on Michael Schumacher.
"I think Honda really need to bite the bullet and become as one with a team if they are going to achieve the success they had in the past."
Ross Brawn - Ferrari technical director.
"Forget the Drivers' Championship. There's just no chance. But you never know what happens. I think we have an outside chance in the Constructors' Championship. But not a real chance."
Gerhard Berger - BMW motorsport boss.
May
Prost GP cars auctioned in Paris; 20th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve's death; Barrichello signs two-year deal with Ferrari; Fitness guru Willi Dungl dies; Sato bruised after Austrian GP accident; Michael Schumacher is gifted Austrian GP win; International press scolds Ferrari and Schumacher; Ferrari summoned by FIA over Austria incident; Schumacher wins sportsman of year award; Minardi axe 22 jobs; Coulthard wins the Monaco GP; Fernando Alonso tests for Jaguar.
"The Ferrari-Schumacher package is functioning so well this year that nobody can even get close to keeping up with them. Schumacher is currently a driver from another planet."
Niki Lauda - Jaguar boss.
"He is unquestionably the finest racing driver in the world today. He could certainly have six (titles). But I think he would be wise not to be too ambitious or, if you looked at it another way, too greedy."
Jackie Stewart - Former World Champion, on Michael Schumacher.
"Obviously this season has not been quite as interesting as others, but it is very enjoyable none the less. As long as the battle for second down to last place is competitive, then there is an interest. You could say it's a double whammy because you're watching excellence and having the fun of the race for second."
Frank Williams - Williams boss.
"It is not our target to win every race because I think it is an unrealistic target. And it would be a very arrogant target."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"It was a team decision, I've just signed a two-year contract with them and I think I should have respect."
Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari driver, after being asked to let Michael Schumacher win in Austria.
"I have to be honest to say now it was probably the wrong decision to win this race. If I had the chance to turn it around, I would probably do so but I cannot now."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver, after the Austrian GP.
"I think for a team like Ferrari, when you have produced a car as brilliant as they have done, you have an obligation to Formula One and to the spectators and that is to provide a motor race. When we produced a car that was ahead of the others we provided some motor racing. What we saw here was a disgusting, cynical act."
Patrick Head - Williams technical director, on Ferrari's antics in Austria.
"The Ferrari is a tainted vehicle and Formula One is no longer a sport. If they had instructed me to do the same I would have told them to stuff it. It is an endorsement of why I'm glad I'm not in F1 today."
Stirling Moss - Former F1 driver.
"I don't really have a problem with team orders at the racetrack. The only thing that I felt was unacceptable was the podium situation. You accepted taking the win, you didn't slow down, you felt good about it, you raised your hand on the last lap until you heard people booing at you. Step up there, take the trophy and be a man."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"It has been a great nuisance. They have wasted everybody's time. I can't see there would be an outcome and the case has cost them a fortune."
Max Mosley - FIA president, on the Phoenix affair.
"If Mika (Hakkinen) wants to drive then it's for us to decide if that's the right thing for the team."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss.
"Basically we don't have the money to compete this year. This (television money) is our second half of year money and we are almost at the second half of the year."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss.
June
Minardi sign Jirko Malcharek as test driver; Michael Schumacher claims Ferrari's 150th win in Canada; Fiat CEO Paolo Cantarella resigns; Juergen Hubbert appointed new CEO of GPWC; Rubens Barrichello wins the European Grand Prix; Mediobanca buys 35% of Ferrari; Ferrari fined $1 Million over Austrian GP incident; HANS device made compulsory for 2003; Minardi confirm TV money payment; Fiat appoints Galateri as new CEO; Webber tests for Jaguar.
"I don't regret it at all. I made a decision and it didn't work out. We didn't get the results and it's been hard. But who knows if any other decision would have been better? Maybe I would have got hurt if I went somewhere else. I don't regret anything, but it's been difficult. It's been very hard and frustrating."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"I would never say I'm the best - I'm just in the right place at the moment. I have achieved in Formula One and I enjoy racing and that is what drives me. As long as I am enjoying it - it is a big challenge to me."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"If Minardi gets the money then it will make the end of the season, but if it doesn't get the money will it get to the end of the season? Not unless I decide to fund the losses. I'm not going to give in easy. All we ever ask is a fair go and we don't seem to be getting it. There seems to be a hidden agenda which we are not part of and I'm not very impressed."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss, on the TV money affair.
"Minardi has no legal right to the funds they claim they have rights to. Oversimplifying the issue, their argument is made on that basis that because Prost are not competing there is a promotion from 11th to 10th and that ninth doesn't exist."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss.
"In a way you could say he (Schumacher) has got one hand on the trophy, but that could change. If things start to change with the tyres, you could probably see his advantage going plop, plop, plop and disappearing."
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver.
"We will be at the next race, at the Nurburgring, come what may, but (after that) I might choose not to fund what would be inevitable losses if we did not get this money."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss.
"In reality we are still behind Ferrari and Williams and it will remain that way for the rest of the season."
Adrian Newey - McLaren technical director.
"Coulthard won't be at McLaren next year and Toyota is a team going places. I think it would be the right move for him."
John Watson - Former F1 driver.
"I heard that Jenson (Button) is getting pushed out of Renault so he has to go somewhere. I'm sure he will be up and down the pitlane trying to get anywhere he can."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"He has been at the team for only six months. I have been here four years fighting to try and improve the team. I wonder what the team would have been like if I had not signed for BAR in 1999. I think it is unfair that (David) Richards is putting me in this position. I've never tried to embarrass someone like Richards is trying to do with me now."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"We are working on it and Flavio (Briatore) is working on that as well and I hope to be racing next year. Last year I had some good opportunities to race but Flavio said no, you have to be in the team to know the car for 2003 to be driving. Next year is 2003 and I hope to be driving here."
Fernando Alonso - Renault test driver.
"Things have moved on quite a lot since Austria. We live and learn as well. Life is a learning process and we did learn a lot of things from Austria. We don't deny there are things we wish we had handled differently."
Ross Brawn - Ferrari technical director.
"I hoped he'd look at the bigger picture because he was losing two seconds a lap. The big picture is the chequered flag and we both threw it away. There is no glory in both cars not finishing the race and I think the guy is all over the place. He hasn't won more Grands Prix because he hasn't really been consistent in the races."
David Coulthard - McLaren driver, on Juan Pablo Montoya.
"We are not going to fight. We fight against ten teams, not against the Ferrari team. It's up to others to be in front of us. You will not see Ferrari fighting against each other and we are particularly happy to see the current situation."
Jean Todt - Ferrari boss.
"As usual Ferrari respects the FIA's decisions. Concerning what happened on the podium, I agree that, in front of such a large TV audience, the podium should remain a disciplined and ordered event to protect the image of Formula One. The podium in Formula One, like in other sports, must take place in a certain way when the national anthems are played. As for the rest, I'm happy about our victories and I enjoy them."
Luca di Montezemolo - Ferrari president, after Ferrari were fined $1 million for their Austrian GP antics.
July
Commerzbank buys Ferrari stake; FIA requests public suggestions on team orders; Arrows miss Friday practice at Silverstone; Yoong fails to qualify for the British GP; Michael Schumacher wins the British GP; Arrows fail to qualify for French GP; Fisichella misses French GP after crash; Renault confirm Alonso and Trulli for 2003; Michael Schumacher clinches 5th title in France; BAR announce Button deal; McLaren re-sign Coulthard and Raikkonen; Hakkinen announces retirement; Yoong fails to qualify in Germany; Michael Schumacher wins the German GP.
"I did 15 laps in the car and I wasn't very happy with it. We've seen the improvements in certain areas but we've seen other problems surface. The car had a lot more downforce but there's a couple of issues with it that needed sorting. It was quicker on the straights but that's not really what you're trying to achieve. It's one of the things."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver, on the revised Jaguar.
"We have looked at Alonso, Webber and we talked to Button because we are evaluating what drivers are available next year."
Niki Lauda - Jaguar boss.
"Schumacher is nowhere near as good as Fangio. I don't think he is a great. I don't think he's as good as Jim Clark or Ayrton Senna."
Stirling Moss - Former F1 driver.
"I have been studying Michael very closely and I honestly feel he could pack it all in at the end of the season. Michael has been used to having his achievements cheered so the boos he received in Austria and in subsequent races must start making him think, 'what's the point in carrying on?'.
Damon Hill - Former World Champion.
"At the present time the prognosis is that the company is doomed."
London High Court on the Arrows team.
"We are free to race. It was a good race in Nurburgring, I had a fantastic first lap and I was allowed to race. I think it was a fantastic race in terms of letting us race."
Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari driver.
"We still wait for money. Tom (Walkinshaw) always came up with the money late so far but it is now two months' payment and I can legally not wait any further. He has not got the engines. He has engines to scrutineer but not to practice."
Niki Lauda - Jaguar boss, on Arrows' delay to pay for their engines to race in England.
"My own view is that it will all end up being one championship. Everybody would lose if there were two championships. The FIA don't care, we'd regulate both quite happily, but it wouldn't be commercially very sensible and I think that's widely recognised."
Max Mosley - FIA president, on the breakaway series.
"I didn't come by road but I went round the circuit and I thought the general organisation was pretty bad really - inside the circuit. There were no signs. Nobody knew where anybody was going, nobody knew who was doing what. It was complete disorganisation."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss, on the Silverstone circuit.
"Instead of two it will be three (cars). It will probably be three drivers and three cars and probably happen next year, but we'll have to wait and see. It makes it more competitive because the teams will run three cars, so there will be another seven competitive cars we could run."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss.
"Our opposition have not been as strong as they have been in recent years. They've had a few problems and it seems to have worked in our favour."
Ross Brawn - Ferrari technical director.
"Fernando (Alonso) will have no problem. Four or five teams are interested in him. He will be in Formula One next year."
Flavio Briatore - Renault boss.
"I'm staying next year. I don't see any reason for me not being back with BAR next year. It would take something really, really extreme, so I feel at the moment I am definitely with the team next year."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"I think Jarno (Trulli) and I have worked well as teammates. So, yes, I did have a feeling of slight shock at the news."
Jenson Button - Renault driver, on hearing the news he would be replaced by Alonso in 2003.
"One has to note in all fairness that it is not Michael who has been dominant, but rather it has been Ferrari."
Ralf Schumacher - Williams driver.
"Kimi entered a yellow flag zone and Michael overtook before there was a green one to let him pass. The regulation is explicit - and Kimi was overtaken under a yellow flag."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss, at the French GP.
"If Arrows try to do what they did in France again at Hockenheim then the race director is very likely to prepare a report for the stewards."
The FIA
"We obviously have the option of using the current car next year. Our plan at the moment is not to but then we did have that plan at the same time last year and despite that we did use the old car for the first few races and that's something we could do again next year."
Ross Brawn - Ferrari technical director.
"I have met a lot people over the years and there are so many I want to thank personally which I will do at a later time. All I can say now is a big heartfelt thank you to everybody. I appreciate the support and friendship you have showed me over the years. Thank you."
Mika Hakkinen - Former World Champion.
"It's a big shame, because I always enjoyed racing with him and we had some great battles. Although, honestly, I didn't expect him to come back. He found a new life outside the track and he looks very happy, so I am happy for him and wish him all the best."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver, on Mika Hakkinen's retirement.
August
Heinz-Harald Frentzen is released from Arrows; Anthony Davidson signs two-race deal with Minardi; Arrows miss Hungarian Grand Prix; McLaren sign Arrows technical director Mike Coughlan; Jordan sign Ford deal for 2003; Rubens Barrichello wins the Hungarian GP; Ferrari clinch their 4th consecutive constructors' title; Montoya extends Williams contract until 2004; Sauber sign Frentzen for 2003; Toyota dump Salo and McNish, sign Panis for 2003; Salo announces retirement from F1; Malcolm Oastler joins Jaguar; Arrows withdraw from the Belgian GP.
"This is Jacques' call. [But] it could give us the interesting opportunity to have a year concentrating on technical development and then see what we can achieve. I would like to see that happen. Player's is a BAT-owned brand in their last year of sponsorship in CART racing, so they would like to have Jacques leading the team."
David Richards - BAR boss, on rumours linking Jacques Villeneuve with a return to CART.
"The purchase of Arrows is not something that I want so much so as to lose sleep over it. If it doesn't happen, then at least I'll know I tried. But I would say there's an 80% chance of the deal happening."
Craig Pollock - Former BAR boss.
"At the moment, apart from a golden contract, I don't see any reason to go racing in the States. I just read (about) it today because I didn't get any papers when I was away and I just read today a bit of what has been written and that apparently I have to make a decision. You only make a decision when you have choices available."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"If you see what he's saying these days and what he used to say, I think he's very different. I personally feel much more comfortable with him. I actually got to like him because I have found actually the person behind the sort of shield. I'm getting on very well with him."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver, on Juan Pablo Montoya.
"I think the important thing for Arrows to maintain its value is it stays out of liquidation. If that is the case, then I think it's a question of the teams and the governing body - but more the governing body. I think they would look to support the teams, taking a pragmatic view on some of the other regulatory aspects that determine whether a team has to pay a fine or not."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss.
"It's not a done deal as we speak now. But it is imminent."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss, on Mark Webber's move to Jaguar.
"I think what Ferrari is achieving is not really to be blamed. But you have some stupid people who may find that it's to be blamed. It's up to them. I don't want to be in their position. I prefer to be in my position."
Jean Todt - Ferrari boss.
"There's all this hype about Montoya... the guy is very quick there's no question and I think his qualifying earlier in the year showed that. But whenever it comes to wheel to wheel racing, there's an incident. With me, we crashed and both lost points in Nurburgring, hence me being sensitive to it. Sometimes you've got to just give it up."
David Coulthard - McLaren driver.
"Irvine has been there too long and it would probably be better if he went. He's been there some time and hasn't really achieved anything and neither have the team. It's probably time for a change at Jaguar and I think Webber has shown he has the speed to do well. Maybe he can help move things forward for them."
Jack Brabham - Former World Champion.
"Arrows Grand Prix International announced that the team has been sent to Spa. Heads of Agreement have been signed regarding the purchase of the team by an American investor. We hope for the deal to be completed by Friday."
Arrows statement before the Belgian GP.
September
Michael Schumacher scores his 10th win of 2002 in Belgium; Sergey Zlobin becomes the first Russian to drive an F1 car; Sauber extend Bridgestone deal; Arrows miss Italian GP; Tomas Enge Fails FIA's Dope Test; Sauber debut HANS device in a GP; Montoya sets fastest ever pole at Monza; Bahrain signs GP deal for 2004; Barrichello wins the Italian GP; Gene re-signs as Williams test driver; Pizzonia tests for Jaguar; Arrows miss US GP; Frentzen replaces Massa at Indianapolis; Sarah Fisher tests a McLaren; Barrichello wins the US GP.
"Enough was enough maybe a few races ago. So we'll see what happens now. They are saying they are not here because it's force majeure, it's out of their control, and if they can prove that (then) maybe they've got chances to hang on. But if they can't, they probably won't go to Monza."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss, on the Arrows team.
"Alex (Yoong) will be involved with us next year, he won't be racing but he will be involved with the team next year."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss.
"I think we have to be prudent and have our feet on the ground. We have to realise that this success may not last."
Jean Todt - Ferrari boss.
"It should be a challenge and the ultimate test of skill to drive a Formula One car but, with traction control and launch control, a monkey could drive these cars."
Nigel Mansell - Former World Champion.
"This is DC's ninth season in Formula One, and he's never driven anything other than a Williams or a McLaren. If it hasn't happened now, it ain't going to happen."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"We set out to make a Ferrari era and to keep this time for as long as we can. I have a contract until 2004, and hopefully longer."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"I will need a good season (next year) if I want to get a contract with another team the year after because it is obvious that I will not be wanted here."
Jacques Villeneuve - BAR driver.
"Getting on the podium for Jaguar is as good as any win I've ever had."
Eddie Irvine - Jaguar driver.
"I would have got bored. Winning all the time, I would have started to do something else with my life. But nevertheless, he's really the best, as long as I can think of racing, by producing results and his consistency in always being better every year, he is by far the best from my point of view. Because nobody else could do this so far."
Niki Lauda - Jaguar boss, on Michael Schumacher.
"Ford Motor Company fully supports its commitment to Jaguar Racing in Formula One and is not looking to withdraw from the series nor is it looking to sell the team."
A Ford statement.
"It was great, it was fun, I didn't get to light it up very much because obviously I only had three laps to do it. I don't see any reasons why a female shouldn't be able to compete in Formula One."
Sarah Fisher - IRL driver, after testing a McLaren.
"The time is perfect for this to happen. It is going to require certain dominos to start falling pretty quickly but it would be a monumental situation. The reality is it would need to be done properly."
Dan Gurney - Former F1 driver, on the creation of an American F1 team.
"I got to the last corner and I didn't know what to do. Nothing was said. Michael was very kind to let us finish equally. I guess I just pointed a little bit in front."
Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari driver, after winning the US GP.
"I'm not into apportioning blame between the two of them. We've had some fantastic drivers in the past but they just haven't driven into each other. It's absolutely ridiculous."
Patrick Head - Williams technical director, after Ralf Schumacher and Montoya crashed at Indianapolis.
"In modern technology when one thousandth of a second is possible, dead heats are gone out with Roy Rodgers, the Lone Ranger, Roy of the Rovers and all that stuff. There is no such thing as dead heats in anything any more, timing is too accurate with beams and lasers and stuff. Michael is good, but he isn't that good yet."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss.
October
Bahrain launches new F1 circuit; BMW appoint new general manager; Michael Schumacher clinches 50th F1 pole; McNish misses Japanese GP after crash; Michael Schumacher wins the Japanese GP; Sato scores first F1 points in Japan; Bridgestone score 70th F1 win; Asiatech leave Formula One; China sign GP deal for 2004; American F1 team put on hold; Belgian GP is axed; F1 heads agree on radical changes.
"Leave the regulations alone and we will catch up and hopefully surpass the performance of Ferrari. If you change the rules you are opening the envelope again and that will make it more difficult not less difficult to arrive at a point of having competitive racing."
Ron Dennis - McLaren boss.
"What happened in the US was a cock-up between the two drivers. I don't think for one minute Michael wanted to hand the win to Rubens but he did want both of them to cross the line almost side by side like they do at Le Mans."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss.
"There is no question that we should do something for the sport, because we just do nothing and keep hoping that people watch it. There are a lot of arguments to try and make the show better, but nothing is done. The solution is to just do it. Don't ask the teams, Bernie should do it. He shouldn't mess around."
Niki Lauda - Jaguar boss.
"If Schumacher were 20 points ahead of Rubens Barrichello, then he would have to drive a car 20 kilos heavier. I promise, there won't be another season like this. Next year it's going to be a good show again."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss.
"We need to do something but the worst thing is to have a knee-jerk reaction. We have to react to people saying the sport is boring and the worst thing we could do is do nothing."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss.
"There is an argument for each driver driving each car once. This has an advantage because then we would see who are the best drivers and teams. And if there are means to make it more interesting for the public then we have to talk about them."
Max Mosley - FIA president.
"If the best drive you can find is Minardi then get on with it. But if you end up signing for a team like Williams and drive for them it would be crazy. The sponsors would not like that, where are they going to promote?"
Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams driver.
"He is a Formula One driver and he is committed to Formula One and he wants to be here and I am very pleased that he will be with the team here next year."
David Richards - BAR boss, on Jacques Villeneuve.
"We are in the entertainment business and doing nothing is not an option. Our show is not good enough."
Eddie Jordan - Jordan boss.
"I will turn my back on Formula One if this travesty of injustice is allowed to proceed. I cannot afford four months of my time nor the $2 million of costs that it will take to fund a challenge to this."
Paul Stoddart - Minardi boss, after teams planned an arbitration to recover TV money paid to Minardi.
"I don't think it is necessary to say much more. The results talk. We have finished all the races and we have finished them on the podium. It is unbelievable what we have achieved."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"I expect next season to be tougher as the other teams get closer. That will be a challenge. I still think we will be in the fight for the titles and winning races but maybe we will not win races so consistently. But we don't need to be as dominant as long as we still win."
Michael Schumacher - Ferrari driver.
"I find the proposals slightly insane, the kind of stuff you'd hear in a bar by amateurish fans with little knowledge of the sport."
Luca di Montezemolo - Ferrari president, on the proposals to improve F1.
"I am sure we will do a better job next year. I am sure the car will be better and we will perform to our normal standard. I can tell you I have got the hammer down as hard as I can go to make the fastest car we can next year - because that's my job."
Rory Byrne - Ferrari chief designer.
"Working with Irvine has been the worst part of the season. He's very inconsistent with his decisions and it's very hard to work with him, especially when things are going wrong."
Pedro de la Rosa - Jaguar driver.
"Montezemolo has stated for years that I put too much money from Formula One in my own bag. But why does he not first clear up his own shop? Pay Schumacher less if he doesn't have enough money."
Bernie Ecclestone - Formula One boss.
"I think he is very good, he is a very likeable young man and he deserves a place in Formula One. But can he become one of the greats? No, I don't think he can."
Mike Gascoyne - Renault technical director, on Jenson Button.
"I believe personally that it is everything that is needed but we will have to wait for the middle of next season to see what effect it's really had. I suggest that next season is probably going to be vintage Formula One again."
David Richards - BAR boss.
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