Toyota might axe Schumacher
''I'm happy to take this slice of luck,'' Germany's Ralf – whose usually inspirational-in-qualifying teammate Jarno Trulli spun into the gravel – grinned in Japan.
Ironically, 30-year-old Schumacher gave an interview to the 'Bild' newspaper this week admitting that he had to up his game against Italian Trulli.
''I know that I must improve in qualifying,'' Ralf conceded. He even had to dodge a question relating to speculation that Toyota has a clause in his contract allowing the team to dump him before the end of the agreement.
''I find it amusing that people on the outside know so much about my contract,'' Schumacher replied. ''I can not, and do not want to, reveal any details of my contract.''
Meanwhile, Toyota technical director Mike Gascoyne urged Ralf and the team to 'capitalize' on the lucky pole and 'win the race' on Sunday.