Fighting McLaren Make Us Stronger, Says Todt

Ferrari sporting director Jean Todt has admitted the fear to be beaten by their McLaren drivers makes the Italian team work harder to succeed.

Todt also claimed that his Ferrari team will not underestimate their McLaren counterparts despite beating them clearly in this year's Championships.

"I am very superstitious and contrary to some of our competitors, I do respect a lot what they do, and I feel that they are very good, very strong," Todt said.

"They put a lot of effort in what they do, and I'm always scared that they are going to be better than we are and I think it's a strain. I don't think we would achieve what we do if we underestimated them. We feel that they are so strong that we try to be stronger."

Todt commented on the recent appearance of the Williams team onto the top level of the podium, and said that the higher level of competition has been good for the sport.

"Since 1997 it was a fight between two teams." Todt added. "This year it was a fight with three teams, with the predominance of one, above the two others, which explains why we have more points than the two others put together.

"You know I am always terrified not to be part of the leaders so I hope that we are there to fight against both of them, because I think we will be there."