Todt Expects Bumper Audience for Monaco GP

Ferrari boss Jean Todt expects Sunday's Monaco Formula One Grand Prix to draw a bumper audience after the outcry that followed the World Champions' "team orders" win in Austria.

"Some people claim they won't watch it (Formula One) any more. But I think the Monaco Grand Prix will have an exceptional audience this year," the sporting director told French daily L'Equipe in an interview on Monday.

"The public will want to know what Ferrari are going to do now, to find out what happens next in the story."

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello led the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position eight days ago but, to the fury of millions of fans around the world, was ordered by Ferrari to move over and let teammate Michael Schumacher win. He did so just metres from the finish line.

Todt said he was a little surprised, but not shocked, by the remarkable public outcry that followed the incident.

"I think...it was disproportionate to the 'problem'," the Frenchman said. "But in some ways I should be pleased.

"When we took on Barrichello, it was seen as a bad choice. It seemed like we hired a good-for-nothing, a whinger. Today the whole world finds it normal for him to win and for us to have faith in him.

"At the end of the day, our current 'problem' is to explain our team strategy when our drivers are in a position to finish first and second," said Todt. "We could be in a far more difficult position. A lot of teams would doubtless love to have such concerns at the moment."

Todt again justified the decision on the grounds that Ferrari had a duty to maximise their chances of winning both titles and Schumacher, chasing his record-equalling fifth title, offered the best chance among the drivers.

The German is 27 points clear in the standings now after winning five out of six races so far this year.

"We switched the positions and it suddenly takes on planetary dimensions," said Todt. "In some ways, so much the better since it prevents people from thinking about wars, famine and sickness."

Todt said true sport, in his eyes, was an amateur soccer match between friends who rounded it off with a drink and some banter. And Formula One, like all professional sports, had nothing to do with that world.

"I know that the public love us," he concluded. "They have been let down, they are angry. But anger is a part of life. Do sailors stop loving the sea because of the storms?"