Hard to Clinch Title in France, Says Todt

Ferrari boss Jean Todt never likes to take anything for granted.

But he excelled himself at the French Grand Prix on Friday with what must surely rank as the understatement of the Formula One season.

"The important thing is not to lose it at the last one," the Frenchman said when asked whether Ferrari might spin out the Championship for another race to ensure Michael Schumacher won it at home in Germany next week.

"We feel that we are in quite a strong position to try to achieve it before the last one (of the season)."

The delivery was deadpan. Yet Todt, who has presided over a period of Ferrari greatness, and everyone at the news conference knew that there was no more chance of the title being undecided beyond the summer than Schumacher driving on square wheels.

The German has won seven out of 10 races so far, taken 86 points out of a possible 100 and is on course to break more records in France this weekend.

He can equal Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's record of five Championships and three in a row as well as setting new benchmarks for wins, points scored and the number of successive races in the points.

Schumacher has won five times in France and was comfortably up with the pace in free practice on Friday, lapping third fastest behind the two McLarens.

Quickest

Nonetheless, Todt said it would be difficult for Schumacher to take the title with six races to spare - an unprecedented feat that would make him the 'quickest' champion in Formula One history.

"We are very pleased with the way the season has got along so far," he said. "Each race is important. We know that for the first time since the beginning of the season, Michael and only Michael is in a position to be champion.

"We feel it will be very difficult here because you need so many things to achieve that in this Grand Prix.

"I don't like records because they are made to be broken so let's hope we have a good weekend and then we think about records later. I read every day about Fangio's record. Let's wait a few years and we will speak about records if we can."

Friday's practice is rarely representative of the qualifying outcome or the race but Schumacher was not too worried after his team were the only ones on Bridgestone tyres in the top 10 at the end of the day. Ferrari were using a new aerodynamic package, and said the modifications did everything expected, but grip was a problem on a slippery and hot track.

"The other tyre company seems to be showing strongly here, but we have often been in this situation at the start of the weekend, only to find it changes for the race," said Schumacher afterwards.

"We planned to do a long run to see what the tyre performance was like. I think it will be close between us and our main competitors tomorrow, but I believe we are in with a chance of fighting for pole position."