Schumacher says Massa is his "little brother"

From MF2 Serviços Jornalísticos

Formula 1 seven times champion Michael Schumacher arrived on Friday to the Ingleses Kart Track at Florianópolis (Brazil) to defend his crown at the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs.

After adjusting himself the kart he will use in his second visit to event promoted by his former team mate and close friend Felipe Massa, Schummy talked to the journalists.

Q - Are you ready for the double championship?
A - Double championship? Absolutely, yes.

Q - This kind of event reminds you of your championship, of your go kart memories?
A - In a way, yes, but it's much more, because Felipe is like a little brother for me. This event for me is exciting.

Q - Felipe said that you are his older brother. Is there a really true relationship between you two?
A - Yeah, we work for so long together, and because of this we became close friends. I think that this is very obvious.

Q - How the old brother watched Felipe's season in 2008?
A - There was never a doubt of his abilities. He was out of luck in 2007 and in 2008 he was in a better position to show his true potential. So I hope we can give him a good car to win next yeah.

Q - Are you here just to have fun or to compete?
A - We are here to have fun and, naturally, as a race driver, to compete and after what happened here in the recent days to support the area.

Q - How tough you think that will be the next year with the new rules?
A - It will be a completely open championship. The top teams stay the top teams, but some of them may have an advantage. This is an open question for everybody.

Q - Will everybody start from zero?
A - Not everybody, but, what I said, the top teams will remain the top teams, but we have four teams that will be very close together than last year and you don't know what will happen in the winter. I mean, we can have some surprises.

Q - Luca Di Montezemolo said that he broke his television watching the Brazilian GP. How was your experience watching the race?

A - It wasn't my television, so I wasn't able to break it. Naturally, I was so excited when it happened, but I knew that there was still the option that it could return, because I knew Glock was on slicks and, unfortunately, it happened in the last 30 seconds. It was tough for all of us, specifically for Felipe, but it was clear that we were strong enough to give him a car that he can prove himself.