This year too, the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Direttore Generale appeared at the launch of the new F1 car. Jean Todt responded to the questions posed by the international media at the press conference to present the new 248 F1. "Seeing the new car", he began, "with the new sponsor logos and, above all, the numbers 5 and 6, is a return for us to a distant past. It will be a great incentive to improve.

The entire squad wants to get back to top spot". As to the performance of the new car, Todt was quite cagey. He stated that he was hopeful but, at the same time, waiting for the real test against the other teams. Responding to a question regarding his future with Ferrari after 2006, the Direttore Generale preferred to stay on theme and discussed the team's chances in the coming season.

Related to this, the detailed test programme was shown to the press pack. Owing to the chilly conditions at Mugello, the official drivers could get behind the wheel tomorrow with Marc Genè in Barcelona and then Valencia, Bahrein and Jerez before the start of the season. These tests will see the 248 on track, a car that now only exists as a single example, flanking last year's model. Todt had some words of praise for Ferrari's new driver, Felipe Massa. It was revealed that he was a very fast learner, a humble person and who displayed a good work ethic in a team. Massa should be completely at ease with the squad in a short space of time. As to Valentino Rossi testing the new car at Valencia, Todt stated that this may be possible, but not 100% definite".