McLaren is still a threat, says Todt

The Scot's McLaren-Mercedes team had struggled to compete with Ferrari and Williams-BMW before the Monte Carlo race. But Todt claims that it is still a factor, despite McLaren lying 48 points behind Ferrari in the constructors' table. Coulthard is 40 points down on Michael Schumacher in the drivers' standings.

When asked if it will be a two-horse race for the rest of the season, Todt said: "No, no, I think it's three teams. Every track, it all depends what McLaren are able to achieve in the meantime. [At Monaco] they were very good, the car was very balanced, they have a very good car."

The Frenchman added that he was always sceptical about ruling McLaren out of this year's battle. "I must smile because two weeks ago, McLaren were worth nothing, the championship was over, they were already focused on 2003. And now they become the new God.

"The reality was always in the middle. They are strong and I always have big respect for what they have done, even if they are not successful at the moment, because I know they have the potential to be successful. It's so easy to criticise when things are not going well and to admire them when things go well. That's not my style."

Schumacher finished second at Monaco and Todt said it would be "arrogant" to be disappointed with that. With Juan Pablo Montoya retiring from the race and Ralf Schumacher finishing behind his brother in third, the Ferrari number one was still able to extend his championship lead.