Todt: Ferrari Not to Blame for Boring Races

Ferrari boss Jean Todt hit out at criticism that his team's domination of Formula One is hurting the sport after Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher cruised to a comfortable one-two win in Hungary on Sunday.

Schumacher won the Drivers' Championship in record time at this year's French Grand Prix and his success has instigated a television turn-off that could hurt the sport because viewers and supporters who lose interest may not return.

But Todt, speaking before beginning a planned evening of celebrations in Budapest, insisted there is nothing the team can do until their rivals put up a challenge and warned the Italian outfit is ready to claim a fifth successive title next year.

"I think what Ferrari is achieving is not really to be blamed," said Todt. "But you have some stupid people who may find that it's to be blamed. It's up to them. I don't want to be in their position. I prefer to be in my position.

"Now, to start again from scratch, we have to wait again Australia next year, but we want our drivers to be racing against other competitors, not against each other. We have said that many times before."

The team have been criticised for spoiling the show by refusing to let their drivers fight even though they are so far in front, a complaint that came to a head when they blatantly fixed the result of the Austrian Grand Prix.

They have continued to control races ever since, with the Hungarian Grand Prix no exception, but Todt believes that until their rivals catch up, they have every right to do exactly what they want.

"You have to respect freedom," he said. "I respect what the others do. We are not intending to have both drivers fighting against each other if it is not in the interests of the team.

"Clearly, it is true that the Championship is not as open as it could be good for the sport but it's happened in the past as well and it would be very presumptuous to suggest that we are still going to win races.

"We do our best but then we will see. But the priority at the moment is to have Rubens second in the Championship and still, did you watch how many Ferrari flags were here again today compared to any other flags?"