Ferrari failure forces re-think
A season of pain has pricked Ferrari into action in order to reclaim their place at the top of the Formula One tree, according to the team’s managing director Jean Todt.
Todt has overseen a period of success like no other in the sport’s history, leading the Italian outfit to every constructors’ championship from 1999 to 2004.
Michael Schumacher won five successive drivers’ crowns in that time, a record of phenomenal achievement which was given some perspective by the underachievement of 2005.
Ferrari won just once, when all the Michelin-shod teams withdrew from the US Grand Prix, and seldom threatened to match the pace of Renault and McLaren, the two teams who finished the season ahead of them.
But Todt stressed this year’s frustration, allied to a winter of hard work, can see them recapture former glories.
He said: “On the one side I’m disappointed, on the other side we had such a bad season it made things clear – where we are and what we have to do.
“Even though we finished third, when you are bad you have to react.
“We have to do a good job, everywhere. The final result is never because of one thing. You must optimise everything you can optimise.
“And we know how to do it because we did it before and it’s not a job you do alone.
“We did not do a good job [this year] so we paid for it.”
Todt declared his surprise at seeing Schumacher finish the season third in the drivers’ championship after scoring just seven points in the last six races.
The Frenchman also stressed Ferrari’s strength in their driving department would only come to the fore if the team produce a package to wi.
Next season Schumacher will be partnered by young charger Felipe Massa, who is replacing Rubens Barrichello as the team’s number two.
“I think we need to deliver a fresh, good package to the drivers,” noted Todt.
“It’s not the blood of the drivers where we need to change.
“Rubens is a good driver, Michael is unique and Felipe will be good, but if we don’t give them a good car with good tyres you can change the blood all you want, it will not make them quicker.”
Todt paid tribute to Brazilian Barrichello, who leaves after six seasons to join Jenson Button at BAR, the team expected to be renamed Honda for 2006.
He added: “The last six years went well for both parties. He did a good job, he’s a talented driver, very focused, very strong in his head which is probably one of the key points.
“And from Ferrari he had extraordinary support, which Felipe will get next season.”
