Todt gives drivers his backing

MARANELLO: Ferrari boss Jean Todt responded to speculation about the future of his Formula One drivers with a vote of confidence in Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen yesterday.

"They are the drivers for the present and the future of Ferrari. It's up to us to give them a good car," he told reporters at an event marking the Italian carmaker's 60th birthday.

Championship leaders McLaren are 35 points ahead of Ferrari and their rookie Lewis Hamilton tops the drivers' standings having won the last two races from pole in Canada and the United States.

The 22-year-old Briton is 10 points clear of McLaren team mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso, with Brazilian Massa and Finland's Raikkonen back in third and fourth.

Asked if Ferrari had considered sacrificing the 2007 season to be more competitive next year, Todt said: "If you're competitive I don't think you sacrifice for next year. It's not a sabbatical year.

"I'm a bit confused when I hear people speak about a problem," he added, pointing out that Ferrari won three of the first four races this season. "One team is ahead of us. Their (McLaren's) package has been better than ours."

Todt also said he had no idea how Ferrari would perform in the French Grand Prix on July 1 and the British race at Silverstone seven days later.

"Honestly, I don't know," he said. "We have been disappointed after the races in Monte Carlo, Canada and Indianapolis. But we have done some good tests at Silverstone and I think we will be competitive."

Source: China Daily/Agencies