Todt: Ferrari Won't Relax in Japan

Ferrari boss Jean Todt has warned his team not to let their foot off the pedal after seeing Michael Schumacher move to within one point of a sixth driver's world title with victory in the United States Grand Prix.

Schumacher can win a record-breaking sixth world title in Suzuka, Japan, in 12 days' time if he just finishes eighth but Todt knows he must do better than that if Ferrari are to claim the constructors' crown.

"We cannot tackle Japan in a relaxed way," warned Todt. "This has been a great emotion, a big relief, but there is still one Grand Prix to go in two weeks in Japan and there's everything to play for.

"Michael may need only one point but Ferrari needs more points because the manufacturers' championship is still completely open so we must fight to try and win. We can relax after Suzuka."

Ferrari need to score 15 points to be sure of retaining their team Championship crown for the fifth consecutive year.

Todt hinted that he will push Brazilian Rubens Barrichello to lead the team in the season's final race and allow Schumacher to keep out of trouble and claim the final point he needs to retain his Drivers' Championship crown.

Ferrari have only failed to finish six times, with a spin in Brazil the solitary blot on Schumacher's copybook, and the team seeks not to lose their three-point lead in the final race of the season.

"Both championships are important," said Todt. "In the Drivers' Championship Michael is in a good situation but, on the other hand, in the constructors' we have only a three-point lead and we know very well that that's not a lot.

"I think we know that if we want to secure the Drivers' Championship we need to be in front so we will not have a strategic approach - just try to do the best race we can and push Rubens."