Todt: This is a new cycle for Ferrari.
Jean Todt claims Ferrari's rather low key launch for their new F2007 competitor is the sign of a new era for the team following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and the re-shuffling of several key personnel.
With the car not to be seen physically until Felipe Massa puts on its first miles around Fiorano tomorrow [Monday], Todt claims 2007 will certainly be different to those of recent years, although the desire for both the drivers' and constructors' remains as strong as ever.
Jean Todt claims Ferrari's rather low key launch for their new F2007 competitor is the sign of a new era for the team following the retirement of Michael Schumacher and the re-shuffling of several key personnel.
With the car not to be seen physically until Felipe Massa puts on its first miles around Fiorano tomorrow [Monday], Todt claims 2007 will certainly be different to those of recent years, although the desire for both the drivers' and constructors' remains as strong as ever.
"The upcoming championship will be a difficult battle, because we have strong and ambitious competitors. We have always been ambitious, we also try to be strong. Obviously we have to reply with facts and right now we have the elements.
"The year 2007 is different to the last years for many reasons. Usually this first greeting of the year it is held at Campiglio, but last week I remained here to work on other things within the company. This fact is a symbol of the new cycle at Ferrari."
Signalling the official introduction of newcomer Kimi Raikkonen to the Ferrari fold, Todt confirmed that the Finn will be integrated into the same engineering team as Michael Schumacher, even if he did admit seeing his new star signing robed in red overalls was 'strange'.
Nonetheless, Todt believes that, despite the raft of changes, Ferrari can get back to the winnings ways that saw them capture five straight titles between 2000 and 2004.
"I had a strange feeling seeing Kimi dressed in red, because until now we had to hide when we spoke to each other, while now we can do it in a normal way. Kimi's team will be the one that was Michael's last year; there will be no modifications.
"As far as the competitiveness is concerned we can see an improvement at all levels in the simulations. We have to confirm that on the race track, because what counts in the end is the stop watch. Last year we were competitive but not reliable enough. So we absolutely have to get back to the levels of the years 2000 to 2004 when we were victorious."
