Ferrari Taking Nothing for Granted, Says Todt

Ferrari are taking nothing for granted in the race for the Formula One Constructors' title, sporting director Jean Todt said on Thursday.

The Italian team won the title last season and are currently 13 points clear of McLaren going into the final Grand Prix of the season in Malaysia on Sunday.

"We know we have to be very concentrated and very careful," Todt told a news conference. "We need only three points, but we have seen this year that sometimes it is difficult to score three points when you need them.

"We have achieved the first part of our objectives and now we have to work hard for the second. Our opponents are very strong and we expect them to challenge as hard as ever."

Germany's Michael Schumacher won Ferrari's first drivers' title in 21 years at the Japanese Grand Prix two weekends ago, and Todt said both the driver and team had been able to relax a little since then.

Todt added that he would fulfill his contract which runs to the end of 2001 and then "we will see."

Schumacher has been on holiday at a private island in Thailand with his wife Corinna, and he said he had abandoned regular training in favour of lying on a sun bed and reading.

"I have read two books which is something outstanding for me," the triple world champion said, without identifying his reading matter.

"But I needed a rest and it took me three days to recover from the party we had at Suzuka on the Sunday night after the Japan race.

"My wife was very happy because she did not see me going off to go training for three or four hours every day."

Schumacher said he had heard nothing from, or about, Formula One during his week's holiday but was now determined to help Ferrari to their second title of the season.

He also confirmed that, if circumstances were favourable, he might try and help teammate Rubens Barrichello to take his second victory of the season.

The Brazilian must win and hope McLaren's David Coulthard finishes out of the points to take third place overall.

"Our first aim is to win the constructors' championship and then we will look at the other situation if it arises in the race, but David (Coulthard) has to finish outside the top six for Rubens to finish third," said Schumacher.

"We'll see how it goes."