At today's press conference at Madonna di Campiglio, before the assembled media could ask for Ferrari's plans over the coming months, team boss Jean Todt got in there first.
"As far as races are concerned, we are going to present the new Formula One car at the end of February," he revealed. "We are going to start the championship with the F2004B to a specification which takes into account the new regulations and today our programme expects to do the first four GPs with the 2004 car.
"Why four?" he continued. "Well, simply considering the new rules, one power unit for two Grands Prix, we want to do two sequences of two GPs and then we are going to start from Spain with the new car. And as we've said, we're going to start testing it before the end of the month of February."
Todt was asked what type of championship he expects, in view of the new regulations.
"A difficult championship," he admitted, "an extremely difficult championship. There are three parameters to be considered, in comparison to the past. These are the one power unit for two GPs, the one set of tyres for qualifying and the race, and also the overall car package with the new aerodynamics, which give less grip. This means that the car may be even more difficult to drive, so these are three important parameters, which have been changed. And these are going to make races very difficult."
Next up is the thorny issue of testing. Todt has said, as has Ferrari president, Luca di Montezemolo, that the opposition has a clear decision. Does Todt think there is about to be a war between teams over the issue of testing?
"From our position no," he replies. "From our point of view, there is an agreement among teams. The agreement expired on Monday so we have prepared a programme which is more efficient and which takes into consideration the agreement which existed among the teams.
"Just to give you some figures, we have organised tests in 2005 which will allow us to cut down about 15 people which means a saving of about three million euros. So, the fact that we can go along our way is going to prove itself more efficient because the others can do what they want."
In two weeks time, the technical directors will present their cost reduction ideas. Once again, they will focus on electronics and engines; how and when does Todt think savings and certain changes will take place?
"There is going to be this meeting on January 28 in London and of course we are going to make our proposals and I'm convinced that other manufacturers and other teams are going to make other proposals and the FIA is also going to make its proposals," he replies. "Logically, clearly there is the Concorde Agreement which is going to expire at the end of 2007. At that time, in 2008, Formula One may have rules which may be fundamentally new, so on paper, what we are going to be talking about at the end of January, is going to focus especially on the Formula One of 2008. Have said this, I do hope that before, in 2006 for example, certain things may be implemented before the year 2008, so starting from 2006, so as to be able to cut down on the costs of Formula One.
"What we have to think about is not always high technology but also how to improve the show, how to decrease costs, how to continually improve safety while at the same time trying to increase interest in Formula One. Of course, it's a very interesting and stimulating exercise to be able to fulfil all of these goals and of course we're going to have various proposals and we are going to present ours. Of course I won't mention these here, because everything is going to be focused on that meeting."
Looking ahead to this season, with regards tyres, what is going to be important in terms of race strategy?
"Well, it's always going to be important," he replies. "It's going to depend on the circuit and of course, the weight of the car is also going to determine the strategy.
"It's no longer going to be based on the tyres, so the decision of the weight is going to be fundamental vis-à-vis the strategy."
Does Todt feel that the constant changes to the rules are an attempt to thwart Ferrari?
"I would say no," he replies. "Take the major changes like the power unit which was introduced to cut down costs and to limit the power of the engine. This is also why we are changing to a 2.4 litre eight-cylinder engine intended to last for two races. As for the tyres and the aerodynamics, the goal is to try and cut down the performance of the cars so as to have slower cars.
"This is the real goal," he continues. "If this goes against Ferrari or not, obviously Ferrari has not been in favour of all the changes which have taken place since we have been going extremely well, but the rules are the same for everyone at the end of the day, so there's no reason for us not to accept them. If there is a real goal, we can understand the reasons behind these changes, so if there's a meaning to any change in the rules we are totally in favour of these changes. Every once in a while, there is maybe the idea of just simply wanting to penalise Ferrari, and in that case we defend ourselves."
And qualifying, isn't the proposed format going to damage F1?
