Ferrari want to return to 2004 levels

That is the view of team boss Jean Todt, who wants their new challenger to match the incredible records of the F2004 car, which won 15 out of 18 races during the 2004 season.

The Italian squad will not have the services of Michael Schumacher, the seven-time champion who retired at the end of last season. The German will be replaced by Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

"Last year we were competitive but not reliable enough," said Todt at the launch of the F2007. "So we absolutely have to get back to the levels of the years 2000 to 2004 when we were victorious.

"Ambitions are important: we are aware it will be a tough battle because we have strong and ambitious rivals, just as we have been and are at all times.

"But this is not about words, we need to answer with facts, and facts now exist: the new car is in the factory and it will start running tomorrow with Massa, weather permitting," the Frenchman added.

Ferrari want to regain the crowns after a dismal 2005 season and after finishing runners-up to Renault in last year's championship.

Todt says the F2007 has already proved to be better than last year's 248 F1, at least off the track.

"As far as the competitiveness is concerned we can see an improvement at all levels in the simulations," Todt said. "We have to confirm that on the race track, because what counts in the end is the stop watch."

Todt has also played down Ferrari's theoretical advantage for using Bridgestone tyres.

The Japanese manufacturer will be Formula One's sole supplier in 2007 following Michelin's exit, but Todt reckons the tyres will be so different, they will have no advantage despite their longer relationship with Bridgestone.
 
"There is the big difference concerning the tyres, which will be new and different for everyone," he said. "We do not expect an advantage. We've already seen that there are around two to three seconds difference, as compared to 2006.