18/05/2005
NEWS STORY
Renault boss is keen to make it clear that comments made by him regarding Michael Schumacher, with whom he won back-to-back World Championships in 1994 and 1995 at Benetton, were taken out of context.
Extracts published ahead of the full article quote Briatore as telling Bunte: "I have respect for his successes… but he is too old," thereby suggesting that the Italian said the World Champion was 'too old' for Formula 1.
Translated to render the meaning intended by Briatore, the quote should read: "I have respect for his successes…but he has been there on his own too long. Formula 1 needs new blood and new stars.
"I am sure he is enjoying this season more than last season because Michael is a fighter, and fighters need competition. Last year that was missing."