28/08/2006
NEWS STORY
Following comments made by Bernie Ecclestone to German broadcaster Premiere at the weekend, Ferrari boss, Jean Todt, has hit back, claiming that the Englishman does not know what he's talking about.
With Michael Schumacher due to announce at the end of the Italian Grand Prix weekend his decision as to whether he will continue racing in 2007, Ecclestone claims that the German will announce his retirement.
"Michael is always competitive," the Englishman told Premiere, "but he has probably already decided to retire."
Todt immediately hit back, saying: "Bernie Ecclestone does not have a single element to judge what Michael has decided. He has a good know-how about racing, but Michael joined Ferrari in 1996 and one day he will decide to stop. When the day arrives we will let you know."
The Frenchman then hit back at claims that Ecclestone played a significant part in Schumacher's surprise move to Ferrari ahead of the 1996 season.
"Bernie never knew and never made anything for Michael to join Ferrari, never," said Todt, speaking at his post-race press conference. "Very often I have been reading that it was organised through Bernie, which is complete nonsense. It is not true. When we announced Michael, it was in August 1995 and I call Bernie just before to inform him. It is just to clarify the thing."
Returning to the subject of Schumacher's future, Todt continued: "The important thing is that Michael is driving, but Bernie does not have any idea whether Michael will be driving in the future or not. As you said before, he is such a clever guy that he has his feelings. Even being clever, sometimes you have good feelings and sometimes you have bad feelings."
Asked if the constant speculation was unsettling for his team, Todt said: "No, it is like step by step. Before it was another thing and after it will be another one. Again, I keep saying that even if very often I don't agree with what is written, or the way it is written, I know that to do the job you need to create interest. So once one interest is over then you have to find another one, and it is fair.
"However, it is fairer if it does correspond to reality," he continued. "Sometimes, you read things that have no ground, no meaning. Sometimes I am a bit surprised. The last example I heard that we took the table from Red Bull Racing (at a party at the weekend). I never heard that. It is just bullshit. That has little consequences, but sometimes for important things it is the same."