Champion pays tribute to Todt

Looking at the overall Ferrari package, some say that Ross Brawn dovetails a good handle on the technical challenge with the brain of a mean strategist, while others point out that strategy suddenly becomes a lot easier with Schumacher pedalling the car! Others point to design ace Rory Byrne as the unsung hero, while many Italians claim that such a label belongs to engine chief Paolo Martinelli.

Asked for his assessment of Todt's influence, however, Schumacher said: "It is very clear what he has achieved. In the past Ferrari was the most political team in the paddock and everyone feared to be in a position like Jean Todt, a driver or even to work there because you weren't sure how many years you would have a job.

"But if you look at it now, he has been with the team for 10 years, I've been at Ferrari for seven years and what we have achieved is stability. That has come from him. He has hired the right people, put them in the right positions and kept them motivated. That is an outstanding achievement."