22/07/2007
NEWS STORY
Could you talk us through the early stages when Kimi was supposed to come into the pits? Who took the decision to let him out?
Jean Todt: Before the first pit, he remained on the track. It was his choice.
Are you still concerned that the F2007 is still proving too fragile in the races?
JT: Definitely we had a reliability problem today. As I said before, we have to analyse what has happened. It was a hydraulic problem on Kimi's car and it stopped the car. It's definitely unfortunate but it's our responsibility.
Has it happened before?
JT: We think that we had this kind of problem during free practice in Magny Cours.
You spoke before of the vibration on Felipe's tyres, but don't you think that Alonso is a very good driver in the wet?
JT: You know I just commented on what we see on the telemetry and what was said by Felipe. I never would allow myself to criticise of Alonso. He has not been World Champion by chance. He did a great race, tough overtaking and he's a great winner. Saying that, as I said before, in the wet, in the first part of the race, Felipe, who had even more fuel in the car, managed to take a six, seven second lead.
Do you think Kimi is still in the fight for the championship?
JT: Yes. Seven races to go. You saw today that Hamilton did not score points, so immediately you can see the difference, so he's 18 points behind the leader and there are seven races to go and we have the potential to win every race, so if we are able to do a good job, it's still possible.
With that deficit, I guess you have to take an aggressive approach to every race now. Is there an element of risk there, given the reliability problems you have?
JT: I don't think it changes anything. I don't think we can say that we make an easy approach to all the races since the beginning of the championship. So we will keep tryhing to do the same job, we will try to improve the performance of the car and of course, try to resolve reliability problems when we know where to put the effort.
What did you feel in your heart, seeing Michael Schumacher giving the prize to Ron Dennis at the end of the race?
JT: Honestly, I would have preferred that he would have given it to a Ferrari team member, but he had the owner from the organisers to give the trophy to the winning manufacturer so he did it, final point, but my heart had more pain when Kimi stopped because of a hydraulic problem and when Felipe lost the lead after a fantastic race a few laps before the end. Honestly, I never even thought about that.
Can we ask you for an update on the latest proceedings with Nigel Stepney in the case against Mike Coughlan in England?
JT: So, as you are aware, we have a penal case ongoing in Italy against Nigel Stepney and we have a civil case in UK against Mike Coughlan. There is one hearing organised by the FIA on the 26th. At this stage, as I said two weeks ago, we cannot comment on it. Unfortunately it has been leaked too much in the press over the last days but it's out of our control. The more people who are aware, the more opportunity you have to have leaks. We just have to follow the procedures which are in process.
Are you worried about the legality of the affidavits given that they are meant to be secret and apparently have been leaked?
JT: Honestly, I think other people should be more worried than us on this particular matter.
On the first lap, whose decision was it that Felipe should come in first and Kimi second?
JT: I was already asked this question. I answered we asked both drivers to come into the pits and only Felipe came.
To clarify, will a member or members of Ferrari be in Paris on Thursday for the World Motor Sport Council hearing?
JT: Yes, we will be there.
And you will be offering evidence against McLaren?
JT: We may comment after the hearing.
What punishment do you think McLaren should be given in this situation?
JT: Are you expecting an answer from me? So you are a bit naïve.
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