A hint of optimism from Jean Todt

“To be champion, Michael needs to score 15 points in seven races,” explained Todt. “If another a driver, close behind Michael, should win the next seven races, it would be possible for him to beat Michael, but it would be quite difficult. But it can happen so we have to be concentrated. In the Manufacturers’ championship, it’s still more open, even if we are in a good situation.”

Asked if the team ever thought they could wrap up the championship earlier than any previous year in its history, Todt said “mathematically it’s possible, but it would be very presumptuous and very respectful of the other teams to say, yes, that’s what we are planning. It is not what we were planning. Still, to be in a position to win the championship is fantastic. Now it seems we are in quite a strong position to achieve the Drivers’ championship with Michael. We will see when it happens, if it happens.”

Success, he admits, is enjoyable. “Quite honestly, yes, it’s good when you are successful because we make so much effort to try to be successful so it is the best reward you can expect, particularly when you know who you have to face: very strong teams, very good teams, very good engine manufacturers, very good tyre companies. It’s challenging, motivating but that’s what pushes everybody in the team.”

Even though Todt is from France, he’s not concerned where they win the championship – in his home country, or Michael’s a week after that. “Honestly, as long as we win, that’s the only thing that matters, whether it ’s in France or in Germany or in Budapest. It’s important to win before Suzuka, I don’t want to leave it to the last race. We’ve already had some bad experiences and we mustn’t forget that.”

For their rivals, wrapping up the championship so early would be bad news. “There are still seven races to go,” says Todt. “Concentrating on 2002 helps us for 2003, so we have already started on the 2003 car and engine. We know it’s a lot to do with the tyre development programme together Bridgestone because it’s not only the result of Ferrari work, Ferrari input, it’s the result of a combination of what we do with our technical partners and of course, Bridgestone.”

Todt refuted suggestions that Ferrari’s domination was boring. “I don’t think anybody can say that it has been a boring race today. I think it has been very challenging, very interesting, lots of things happening, Rubens starting from the back of the grid, going back to the front, tyre changes, rain, so it was very difficult race. Saying that, yes, Ferrari and Bridgestone are dominating the 2002 championship after 10 races. Let’s hope we can make the same statement after 17 races.”

But he isn’t confident that Ferrari’s domination will continue for ever. “It ’s a world where things change very quickly. Yesterday Montoya did a very good qualifying lap, he was in front of us, so we were in difficulty. Today they are in difficulty, tomorrow we can be in difficulty again. We just focus and try to be on top of everything and prepare good cars, good engines, work on tyre development, have a very good team, very stable and just don’t make any compromise.”