Q & A with Jean Todt

Jean Todt: "Definitely, it is very pleasing and very rewarding. We knew we had a competitive car. We knew Ferrari would be quicker in the race than during qualifying, like since the beginning of the season. And we chose to go with the softer tyres, which maybe was not as competitive during the race. But still it probably helped for the start.

"Felipe did a great start. Kimi as well. We were first and second. We had to push for most of the race but the race went perfectly well. Very often when you are first and second it happens, and this was the case today."

Q: There are only five races to go. How do you see your chances for the championship?

Todt: "We feel it is still open. It will be tough, but it is always tough. And as I always said, we will try the best until the end and I believe we still can carry this on."

Q: Both drivers in both teams are fighting for the world championship. Looking at the remaining races, have you thought about the need to impose a hierarchy on the drivers at a certain point if one of them is slightly ahead going into the final few races? Is there a plan or tactic to safeguard the world championship?

Todt: "No. It will be something that will be inappropriate for drivers like Felipe and Kimi, doing such a good job, after 12 Grands Prix with just one point difference. Most of them have had problems because of some mistakes that we did.

"They made some mistakes, but that is normal. We are human beings, and at the moment there is not any plan to make any kind of strategy between one or the other one."

Q: We had the impression that your car is more at ease on circuits with long bends, like this one rather than the ones with chicanes, like Monza. Is that true?

Todt: "I don't think we can say that. Probably our weakest point can be sometimes in qualifying, as I said before. Otherwise the car has been competitive. We have developed the car since the beginning and we will carry on developing the car until the end of the season to optimise it."

Q: Felipe Massa won here last year and now has five wins. How do you see his development as a driver?

Todt: "Well, I said before. Both are doing a very good job. There is a very good harmony in the team, they both want to win and there is definitely the same chance. Like Kimi, he is superb."

Q: Do you think F1's (technical) rules need changing because pole position is a bit too important for the final results of the race?

Todt: "That is why it is very important and difficult to get it. It is very difficult to change. We know that already that it will be difficult. We know it is better to be in the front. It is such high competition but everything must be perfect if you want to achieve it. I don't see what can be done at the moment to improve the situation."

Q: If you are to win either title, do you feel you are going to need more misfortunes on McLaren's part like Lewis (Hamilton) had today?

Todt: "Lewis did a fantastic race. After what happened he was quite lucky to bring four points home but when you look at what he has done this season he is doing a great job, but he has been quite successful when he had a problem today. It can happen to us, and it is part of racing."

Q: Can you tell us something about the technical information of Ferrari's test at Monza?

Todt: "Well, we are going to be testing in Monza next week. We know that Monza is a specific circuit, with special specifications. We will have of course a package moulded for the race."

Q: Fernando Alonso said that Ferrari appeared to be ahead in the race, with start systems and qualifying. Would you agree?

Todt: "I can only thank him to give such a high opinion about Ferrari."

Q: Last year when Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn left the team you spoke of your need to stay here to ensure continuity and consistency of the operation. Can you give us any indication of what Ross will do next year and your own plans for your future?

Todt: "I am not at all prepared to retire. I feel still very motivated, with the same anxiousness before every race. The same happiness when we are successful. The same unhappiness when we are not successful.

"So I hope I can only be here a few more years. Bernie when you ask him, there is 15 years difference, is still very motivated. For me I am not thinking at all about stopping working. I am sorry...

"On Ross. We had some discussions, we will have other discussions. And at the moment no commitment from either side has been made. We are just discussing about his options, and our options. Maybe we will find some common point, maybe we will not find some common point.

"But still we will always be friends, we will always have respect for each other. He has been doing a tremendous work at Ferrari, and Ferrari have given him a lot. So our partnership has been good for him and good for Ferrari."

Q: The FIA Court of Appeal is meeting on the Thursday after Monza. Is that proving to be a distraction either for yourself or the team. Are you preparing any new evidence? Are you having to do much work for that or are you able to keep that aside from your championship efforts?

Todt: "It is completely different matters. Everything we do we try to do the best we can. The race today was very important, the preparation for it was very important and the preparation for the next five races will be very important. As will be very important this hearing of the 13th (September).

"We want the truth to appear. And it will appear. That is something for me, which for Ferrari, for the sport, for me, I want it to appear. And it will appear."