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French GP 13th - 16th July 2006 - Friday Press Conference

Length: 4.411 km
Number of Laps: 70 (308.586 Km)
Best Lap: M. Schumacher - 1'15''377 (2004, Ferrari)
Record Pole: F. Alonso - 1'13''698 (2004, Renault)
2005 Pole: F. Alonso - 1'14''412 (Renault)
2005 Podium: F. Alonso - K. Raikkonen - M. Schumacher

Q: A question to all of you: we understand that this weekend is going to be a crucial one regarding the early implementation of the 2008 engine rules; what are your thoughts about this? Will it happen?
Jean TODT: As everybody knows, we had a Formula One Commission meeting and over the meeting, it was agreed that the decision concerning the future engine rules would be taken at the end of the weekend here in Magny-Cours. Whether I’m optimistic about that, I honestly don’t know. I know it’s very difficult to make everybody take the same line. We have seen that, that’s why very often it’s up to the FIA to make the final decision. The options are simple: either we find an agreement – what we have been calling the Indianapolis agreement for the engine, which would be implemented from January ’07 - or we don’t find an agreement and in this case we will follow the ’08 technical rules, from ’08, and unless other things happen, it will be the status quo for the rules until the end of next year, and the implementation of the rules from January ’08 with the new Concorde Agreement and the new technical rules.

Q: What are your feelings about the Friday ‘test day’?
JT: You know next year we will see exactly what are the consequences. It is a very important change. Sometimes you decide for some changes and by the time you realise you don’t get what you wanted. In my opinion, it will not go in the direction of saving money, but will increase the costs. Think – you will have three hours’ testing with two cars in other countries outside Europe like Australia, China, Japan and it will make a lot of extra cost. It changes the philosophy for the engine because the first idea was to use one engine for about 1,400 kms and now even if it is true to say that we reached an agreement to use one engine for 1,200 kms minimum the whole running will become different . In ‘08 we were talking about technical and sporting regulations and it is already inside rules that it will be a maximum of 30,000 kms of testing so probably those kilometres will be taken away from the 30,000 and so we shall have to see how we organise ourselves and I think you need to make a rational calculation to see exactly what will be the final issue but in my opinion so far it will go in direction of spending more money, but true that it will give more to see for the spectators on Friday. You could see this morning most of the cars except the third cars which will not be allowed in future they were not out for the first hour, second hour was less, so it will be more spectacular Friday for the organisers and for the public.

Q: How accurate is a newspaper report that says Ferrari have put an extra 20 million into development for this year?
JT: It’s bullshit
JT: Don’t make me answer to third-rate speculations. It is absolutely not true.

Q: Has the rate of development increased?
JT: I wish it would. That would mean every time I would find a few more tenths. We try, but everyone is trying. It is a tough championship with strong competitors and we know as much as we can within our allocated budget. But you know, sometimes, to sell you need to invent things, so I hope this has increased sales. I am talking about those who issue the news.

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