McLaren Still Contenders, Says Todt

McLaren are still in the hunt for the Formula One Constructors' title after winning in Monaco, according to Ferrari team boss Jean Todt.

"I think it's three teams," the Frenchman said when asked whether the Championship had been reduced to a battle between World Champions Ferrari and Williams.

David Coulthard won in Monaco, ahead of Ferrari's four times champion Michael Schumacher, for McLaren's first victory of the season.

"Here they were very good, the car was very balanced, they have a very good car," said Todt.

"I must smile because two weeks ago, McLaren were worth nothing, the Championship was over, they were already focused on 2003," he said when asked whether McLaren could become major contenders.

"And now they become the new God. The reality is 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."

Ferrari have 72 points after seven races compared to 54 for Williams and 24 for McLaren, who say they have no illusions about their chances.

McLaren technical director Adrian Newey said in Monaco that the team had a realistic chance of winning again in Hungary this season but nowhere else unless luck played a part. Schumacher's second place ended his streak of four wins in a row, but Todt said the team was not downhearted.

"It would be very arrogant to be disappointed about being second," he said. "Every race we start, we hope we can win. Saying that, we know that we cannot win all the races."