Todt Urges Caution as Titles Loom

Ferrari may be close to a Formula One double triumph but they must not "count chickens before they hatch", sporting director Jean Todt warned on Tuesday.

"We arrive in Hungary leading both Championships and for the first time this season it is mathematically possible for us to take the drivers' and constructors' titles," the Frenchman told Ferrari's website.

"Despite this we are approaching the weekend prudently with our feet firmly on the ground, because we know that it is actually possible for us to lose both Championships.

"We have seen that it does not take much to have a problem, an accident, or suffer with a lack of reliability," he continued. "We know the world of racing too well to count our chickens before they hatch.

"Obviously we are favourites. We know this, but we will tackle the Hungarian Grand Prix like any other so far. We will try and get both cars onto the podium."

While the unexpected can and does happen in Formula One it will still take a shock of seismic proportions for Ferrari's Michael Schumacher to be deprived of his fourth World Championship this season. The German leads McLaren's David Coulthard by 37 points with five races, including Hungary, remaining.

Mathematically, he can win the title in Budapest on Sunday by finishing as low as fourth if events elsewhere on the track fall into place. Otherwise he will be assured of the title if he wins the race. Ferrari can also win the constructors' title for the third season in a row, with a one-two finish the most straightforward way of achieving that result.